I very much agree with the other posts. A crate is a wonderful thing!

I have had some people tell me they don' t like crates...but what I have learned is that they are better to have and use and teach the dog that is their 'space'. The crate gives the dog a personal area that he will think is his own. Both my dogs are know that their crates are their 'down' time areas and their private spots. My own baby Mercury - I can just say "in" and no matter where I am in the house, he will go in his crate. Don't need to lock the door, he will just lay down and wait for me.
I have trained them to LOVE their crate and I did it using treats and good positive rewards and making crate time a good time not a punishment.
It is not where you stick them if they are bad or if you are tired of them....it is not a babysitter or a place to hide the dog. It is their own area for their own time.
Use the crates and they will be invaluable in the future.