I am surely no expert on the subject but from experience I have learned that the actual schedule time isnt as important as being consistent with whatever time you do anything.
Mine, over time, have learned that they get fed at a certain time each day, they walk at a certain time each day and go to bed at the same time! They will even let me know if I have missed their normal time(in case I forget)... At night, I put up a gate in my room to keep them from wandering around the house and they will actually come and just get in the bed without being told.
If I am a little late with the walk, Tootie will go to his "bag" that holds the leash and pull on it to remind me
Even my cat can "tell time"... he knows what time of the day is feeding time and walking time and he is right there waiting everyday, itis really cute!
I dont do crate training so could not help you with that, but good luck!
I also find that using the same specific word for different things is important. My dogs know the difference between "Pottie" and "outside"... Pottie means they go in their little dog yard and OUTSIDE creates a party cuz they know it means walking on the leash.. haha We go "pottie" about every hour when I am home...
and dont even think about using the word CHEESE unless you intend to hand it out.. LOL
gotta love them babies!
d