When do you crate your dog?

I would rather have my dog crated so a fireman could rescue.  Even if you do have a doggie door...you don't know if they will go out in case of fire.
 
OT but some  horses will run back into a burining barn because that is their home.

I too would be interested in how folks acheived the ability to leave their dogs free in the house. I simply can't trust mine that much...german shepherds view upholstered furniture as giant stuffies that MUST be destroyed.

 
My younger ones are crated or in lots when I am gone, 3 of mine are left to roam free.
 
The key to that is that I am able to work from home, and I was able to be on top of things a lot when they were being trained for house freedom.
 

My dog is crated whenever we leave the house (it's about 8 hours/day on weekdays, and usually 1 or 2 times on weekends for 3-4 hours). She sleeps with us at night.
 
She's just turning a year old tomorrow, so she's still young. Our biggest fear with leaving her alone uncrated right now is accidents - although she does well when we're home, and holds it in her crate all day, I don't think I could trust her home alone all day. She is not destructive at all, and has never chewed anything she's not supposed to (plus she's small - so her potential for damage is more limited). We have gated her in the bathroom on a few occasions and she did really well. I hope to transition to something like that on a daily basis after the new year. I would like for her to be free in the house someday, but I'm not sure when I will feel comfortable with that.