Our boys go to their crates on command. We would just say "In your crates" and put them inside. After a while (a couple of months) they learned to just run in there on their own when we gave the command. Then we incorporated a stay command. Now I can send them to their crates and they will stay there until I release them (without us shutting the crate door). This is really great for keeping them safe, like when you're cooking with grease and they won't stay out of the kitchen or when you're moving furniture, etc.
We leave the crates doors open all the time so they play in them and go to nap in them on their own. That's where they drag their favorite toys and where they run to eat treats or chew on bully sticks. Both their crates have fleece pillow beds and a blanket inside to make it cozy.
We also use their crates as the "time out" spot if playing gets too rough or they jump on a guest or they won't stop barking. Jamie went through a stage where he was a horrible barker. Now when he starts the barking (if I know he doesn't need anything), I'll say "Do you wanna go to your crate?" and he stops.
Crate training is just like training them to sit or roll over... It just takes a ton of consistency and follow through.
__________________  Misty & Jamie
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