Destructive behaviour when I am out?

I have a staff, Louie (aged 11 months) and a staff x english bull, Tigger (aged 4 months), and I was wondering if anyone could help me with the destruction I face when I go out?
Louie is the main culprit ..I think. He has been destructive from the moment we got him; it has actually calmed down a bit with Tigger coming into the picture. I think it is some kind of seperation anxiety - he's a very needy dog, follows you around everywhere and hates to be alone.
I have tried everything. Before I plan to go out, I walk the boys for around two hours. I leave them in the hall (which is quite large) with their crate doors open (we have crate trained them both but I really want to wean them off it. I don't like the idea of them not being able to roam around whilst we are out). I spray anti-chew on all the bits they've had a go at (e.g.. a wall. REALLY!?!), leave bones, toys, (sometimes I even buy new toys!), and their beds out for them.. But they are so destructive! I went out for five minutes (I timed it, literally five minutes..) and when I came back, the wall was chewed and there was a big Louie poo on the floor even though he'd just done four on the walk. I've tried changing the routine of how I get ready so they don't think I'm leaving.. Being calm when I greet them.. Ect Ect.

It's not really a huge problem seeing as I only work weekends, and my fiance only works weekdays.. So usually somebody is always here.. It's just, if we ever want to go out and maybe have a nice meal together, we can't leave the boys out for long in fear of them chewing and weeing and pooing everywhere. They are otherwise toilet trained. I hate leaving them in their crates and want them to eventually be trusted to the whole flat..

Somebody help me? They are both still very young, so will they grow out of it?
Thank you

The only thing I would say is keep the crate closed. Its not cruel and maybe in time when they are older you can gradually start to build up time with the door open. But for now, your peace of mind and there safety, I would keep the door closed. Xx

It's what I do at the moment Do you think it would be a good idea to gradually increase the time I am gone? At the moment I'm trying things like going into other rooms without them and shutting the doors.. And they're pretty good then (despite one wee this morning).
When I go for a shower and leave them to the whole flat they're good as gold - I think it's only when they
know I'm not here. Maybe I'll have to sneak out when they're not looking?!

I'm affraid I have never crate trained nor had to deal with destructive behaviour, well my first ate the kitchen, but thats another story.

It could be seperation anxiety, but to me it just seems like there going to be little buggers when they can get away with it!!

My mum's staffie was never crate trained and was/is perfect! It helped with toilet training but other than that I'm starting to regret it
Maybe I just got the two naughtiest from each litter, knowing my luck. Ah! Oh well.. Fingers crossed they'll grow out of it.
Ate your kitchen? I caught Louie trying to finish eating the rest of the wall.. Ambitious.

Scrumpy ripped up the entire floor and chewed all the skirting and bottom of the cupboards! We had a baby gate to stop her anywhere else in the house, my oh at the time was rather lazy shall we say and it served him right for not taking her out! His kitchen and all that

Haha oh god! Yup.. They sure as hell pay you back for no walkies..

I really feel for you Jess, as Jethro my older staffy has been destructive since day one.... he has caused untold damage and heart ache.. and even at his old age now still can let rip ( like he did again tonight ) I would leave him locked in his crate for your sanity and peace of mind...a few hours at a time wouldn't hurt. Just hope he doesn't learn to break out his crate like Jethro has. I have tried everything over the years.... sadly some dogs that are overly anxious like Jethro will just never change * sigh *

Ah.. Might be stuck with a anxious dog then! Just came out from a bath and Louie had knocked the bin over and him and Tig were eating some doritos.. Ew! He's a bad influence!

Lou did actually once escape the crate. It was before he was toilet trained, and he slept in the lounge. We took pictures of the destruction, and took pictures of his really, really guilty face. The worst bit was he found ten of my magazines.. We're still finding little shreds to this day!

Well if there's nothing to be done.. Then I'm glad I have the crate. Will still keep trying, but love him regardless. Thank god I can laugh back on it, because some days I have come home and just weeped!

Close the crate and put a big towel over it and leave some classical music or the radio on. trust, it works :3

All of mine have been destructive as well. Suki is crate trained but we give her the run of the house when we are out. We started off going outside and not making a fuss of us leaving, and just down the road a bit. When she stopped whinning we let her be for about 5 minutes or so and came back in.

There was some damage at first but we kept at it consistantly and gradually incresed the time left alone. She is good for 4-5 hours now provided she is exercised.