Thanx so much for all the responses! I know I'll get there - patience is NOT one of my virtues What really limits me right now is time - we have a 7 month old pup at home who cannot be left to her own devices so she must be crated when we are gone. As a result I don't like to be gone too long at any given time. I'll get to go longer as she grows up more In the mean time I can just practice, practice, practice!!