I second and third all those posts about needing a crate. Our first dog was fairly destructive and crates werent that widespread then. She did it when she was left.

We now have a 10 week old pup and he has a crate and its definitely the way forward when you leave them unattended. I dont work so dont go out to many places where the pup ccant come, but if, for instance, Im reading a bedtime story to one of the kids, he goes in the crate. If Im on the school run, he goes in the crate. As soon as he comes out of the crate he is taken into the garden and always relieves himself.

Try and get one on freecycle or ebay. I got mine given to me.