Okay, so I am an advocate for crate training, but done responsibly. It isn’t somewhere you sling them when you can’t be arsed or bored of them. It’s their safe space where they sleep and you pop them if you need to occasionally. You need to create a positive association with that area and it’s never done as punishment, so lots of treats etc in there. My puppy RUNS to her crate now if I open the door because it’s a nice cosy place and there’s all the best treats before bed. HOWEVER, we do not crate her during the day. She’s with me and our other dog whilst I’m working, even if that means she’s a pain in the bum at times dragging plants over whilst I’m in meetings or woofing whilst I’m on the phone, that’s what I signed up for. With the right training an exercise it’s perfectly manageable. Walk in the morning, lots of naps whilst I work, walk at lunch time before food, then naturally more napping and for the most part, it’s not distracting or a problem.
worst case scenario and they’re play fighting loudly whilst I’m in a meeting, I keep a jar of treat on my desk and box of toys to distract them with quickly.
what I’m getting at it, they shouldn’t be shut away andbrought out for a ‘play’ - They’re animals, not toys
Also, pups crate is in our bedroom, where we and the dog sleep, where she feels safe. My puppy has never cried at night like Henry does. That’s because mine isn’t scared.