Hey /an/, I have some questions about crate training. I always thought that crates were unfair and an excuse for people to be lazy with their dogs. However, I'm taking home a boxer pup in November (pic related!), and am doing my research, and now learning that apparently crates are a necessary and beneficial part of housetraining. There are just some situation-specific questions I have, if anyone would mind helping me understand

What I'm reading is to keep him in the crate at all times, but take him out to play "for a bit" every hour or two, as well as hourly bathroom breaks. I was originally thinking that taking him to the backyard every hour would be enough, I wasn't aware that he needed to be in the crate at all. Could someone please explain just how much time he needs to be in the crate? I'm having a rough time understanding. Would an hour in the crate, followed by a bathroom break and then 20 minutes of play time inside be good?

My other questions are regarding work. I work 4 days a week (I am either gone from 7am-5pm or from 12pm-10pm, however I have a younger sister who gets home from school at 4pm), so I'm assuming he'd need to be in the crate while I'm at work/nobody is home. Is that correct?

Final question, my sister has a dog, and my retired grandfather has a daily routine on work days of picking her up at 10am and bringing her to his apartment until 4/5pm when we pick her up after work. I guess I have two options here, and I see pros and cons in both. If he takes both dogs, then my boy won't be left alone for so long. However, he won't be in a crate with my grandfather, so his training will be inconsistent, and consistency is important. On the other hand, if he only takes the other dog, then mine will be alone for quite a while and won't get a bathroom break or any attention. Which would be better for him?

Thanks everyone, I know these are probably novice questions but I really want to do everything I can to be prepared to take care of him properly!