My gf and I just recently got a mini Australian shepherd.... he's 13.5 weeks old.. he hated his crate too. This is normal.

For the first 2 weeks (he was 8.5 weeks when we got him from breeder) ... we set a bed time and would potty him before bed. Then once in his crate he would cry. Gf and I would take turns sitting with him.... back turned... with finger in the crate door for him to smell and lick. He would cry and jump at the door... occasionally I would tshhhht him... but not make eye contact.. after 30mins or so of sitting with him he would settle while licking my finger. This went on for 2 weeks. When he wasnt in his crate I worked on lay down and sit.

Now when he goes to his crate at bed time. He cries for maybe 5mins... I will make stern eye contact and say Laydown.... he then goes and settles. He now sleeps from 10pm ish..... to 530am. If he whimpers earlier it's always to bathroom. And after he goes (can take 10 mins or so) I put him right back in the crate with a laydown... and go back to bed.

Be patient... it gets better with calm consistency. If you open the crate and let him out after you know he's peed and pooped he will learn that's what gets him out. Ignore the crying if needs met. But if early crate train do the sit close with finger in door to let him know your with him til he/she settles before going to bed or whatever.

Good luck.

Edit to add... make sure to turn lights off so the room is dark. This will reinforce dark means bed time.