I use crates for time out and my dogs still like their crates. It's just that you can't think of time out as punishment, but rather "you don't get to hang out with me right now, chill in your crate for a while" then when they settle down they can come out. Loki gets time outs when he constantly scratches at the door even though he has been out 18 times and gone for a walk, or for barking. I put him in there before *I* go crazy. Sammy gets time outs for general craziness and for being mouthy. I don't know if she quite gets it. Loki totally knows that the crate is a "warning" and his behavior improves significantly after a time out.
Also mine get a treat for going in their crate. Loki will run to his crate from anywhere in the house on command because he knows it means he gets a cookie. |