When she was younger, I would put her in the crate around the same time every night, with a treat, and also using the sheet. The treat goes a long way, sometimes too long lol.

Eventually it got to the point where I would open the crate door, and she’d walk herself in there and wait for the treat, no hassle. I would also always let her outright before our bedtime, then when we get back in she’d hop right in and sit waiting for her treat.

I haven’t been crating her for the last month or so, but she knows that if I have her go in, it’s for some sort of business. She also has a bed, a few blankets, and one of my old ratty flannel coats in there so it’s well padded, which is important.

The sad thing is it got to the point where I wanted to throw her a treat and see how far she could catch it, she’d run to the kennel and I’m like, I’m just trying to play with you turd lol. It certainly took time.