Phooey - Croftonline have the crate training stuff burried on another page, so I've copied it:

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Dog Crate Training Dog crate training can be a relatively easy affair, and any dog of any age can be trained. You will soon find that, once crate trained, your dog will love his new home and will use it as a safe and quiet place of his own. If possible, you should begin training with a small puppy, and have your puppy sleep and rest in his home. He will soon love the security that the crate brings. A puppy pen can be used in conjunction with the dog cage, and can be an area where the dog can socialise whilst still being in a controlled space. The puppy pen is especially useful whilst your puppy is in the chewing stage. To begin training, the dog should be actively encouraged to enter the crate, but never force him, and also, never "go over the top" with praise. Just treat it as a natural and obvious place to go. Place the dog’s bedding inside the crate, together with a favourite toy, and perhaps a little treat, and leave the crate door open. Introduce your dog to the dog crate with the minimum of fuss. Ideally, leave the dog in the room where you have placed the crate or step away and allow exploration. If the dog ignores the cage, place an enticing bone or novelty toy inside and give your dog time and privacy to discover its new ‘den’. The best period to experiment with the crate is a night time when the dog would be naturally relaxing and ready to rest. You may also add an item of your old clothing inside the crate (re-scent the item by leaving it in your washing basket for a day) to encourage your dog to explore the unit, and associate it with the loving that you give to it. Random crating is best to avoid any ‘association’. If your dog is only placed into the crate when exciting events occur (when visitors arrive etc.) it will quickly make an negative association and may become frustrated or distressed. If your dog shows little sign of entering the dog crate (after several daytime and overnight periods) then it is important that you are firm with the dog and order it to enter. Back your dog into the crate and close the door. Praise the dog, perhaps give it a treat, and then leave the dog alone for a brief period (starting with 3 or 4 mins, working up to 10 / 15 mins) and return. Open the door, praise calmness and allow the dog to exit of its own accord. Repeat this over the day and for the last period of the night. As with any training - it should be fun for you both. Don't overdo it by long sessions. It is better to have lots of short lessons, and lots of praise and smiles. The kennel should not be used for punishment as any potential negative association should be avoided. It should be used if you move house, travel, caravan, boat or when taking your dog to other homes or premises so that your dog has a continuity among the change.

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Thanks for the advice, I just had a real negative image of crates.
I'm moving offices next week he's not been in the new place so would it be a good idea to introduce it then or start it at home.
Why do I get the feeling I'm gonna be spending many happy hours in the cage trying to lure.

well you're only in Chesterfield - do you want to borrow a beagle to show him it's okay?

I can bring a crate too - save forking out if he's really not going to take to it

... and you're right - get him used to it before you move offices

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... I just had a real negative image of crates...

if you think about it, dogs love dens. Any dog who doesn't have a crate automatically adopts the dining or hall table or the space behind the sofa as their own space

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Thanks for the offer appreciated I might take you up on it in the next few weeks.
Good idea to use it at work as he's into everything at the minute!!!!

beagles

you know where to find me when you're ready

how do you get any work done with a dog feretting about in everything btw?

As Brude is now crate trained, I can use a softcrate for him if I take him to work. Not that he really needs it, but the boss is usually happier to let him in out of the car if I mention it Softcrates are only suitable for dogs who are already crate trained as it's relatively easy to escape from them! (they keep the loose hairs out of the carpet better too )

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Am sorry i had missed all this

Brude the beagle is a true one in a million and he would certainly show your dog what to do

I can certainly recommend some campsites, where do you fancy goin? Also a good website to http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/ and this thread all about dogs and camping with some useful tips http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=3&TopicID=133478&PagePosition=3.

I have crate trained my big dog at 8yrs of age so don't let age put you off at all and i have also had to use the 'cold turkey' method with a little girl we rehomed for safety as she was out of control, we had to calm her and get some order established, not easy but by far the better option.

If you decide to do it though try and stick with it, it does initially take time and you may think it is pointless but your dog will just get it and the crate will be his place to be dogs like having their own space.

albert is getting there btw, back to mr vets yesterday tummy still sore but he is much better thanks Jacq

Glad he's on the mend

Thanks for advice, someone said he's too old to crate train at 7 months kinda put me off, he's also big and still growing a GSD, negative images of so called guard dogs I suppose.

Going on holiday is one reason I'd like to crate train, maybe April time try him out somewhere local. Peak District, Buxton way.
Also taking him to work, would be great if I could get him used to it there, use it as his bed but if I have to nip out he'd be secure.

Brude sounds great imagine him to be a real character

who said your dog is too old to crate train?

I've crate trained a six year old beagle and a 12 month old rhodesian ridgeback cross

too old? *tuts*

most dogs actually like to have a space of their own, and being able to take it with you wherever you go is an added bonus - helps them settle

also if an emergency occurs where you can't be around and your dog has to be looked after by somebody they don't know or don't know well it's a real life saver!

don't put it off - get started straight away

Brude is a fantasic character - at least most people who have met him seem to think so - even Mr Strix's dad has been caught feeding him scraps in the kitchen although he maintains he can't stand dogs

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