hiya
We crated both of ours as puppies and they really loved it, just use it as a safe place where they can relax,
we used to put them in to start with for a few mins at a time, it had bedding and some toys and we always used to leave a little treat in it,
we also used it to get them used to being left alone, once they happy in it start popping out of the room, first for a few mins and them longer.
We also had a very strict rule that puppies crates were their santuary and if in it they were not to be fussed or stroked it was their place for time out.
I also believe you should never ever put them in it for punishment, if our were ever naughty they used to get time out in another room but never in the crate.
Our first dog always slept in it until a year old even with the door open and we used to store old towels etc on the top, when we got our next puppy she waltzed into the house and into the bed in the crate, our first one too umbrage to this and started sleeping on the top so in effect they had bunk beds lol
Claire x