My feeling is that crates should be a desired place for the dog to go. Not a timeout. Not a babysitter. If you're going to use a crate, the dog should be trained to feel that the crate is a safe place it likes to be.
I did this by making the crate an option in a larger playpen. I set up a 10-foot x-pen and put a crate in one corner. In the beginning, I left the door to the crate open. I hung toys on the sides of the crate. I put a blankie and toys in the crate. My dog learned that the crate was its safe place.
As for biting, it's normal. Don't panic. Just work on it. Google it. Say "Ouch" when the dog bites. Bite inhibition is probably the most important thing you can teach a pup.
Good luck!
__________________ Mike ~ Doting Dad to Jillie, Harper, Molly, Cooper, Eddie (RIP), Lucy (RIP), Rusty (RIP) and Jack (RIP). Check us out on YouTube |