Crate training went really easy for us as well...the first few night he yowled, but bopping the top of the crate with a "stop that noise" REALLY nipped that in the bud. I'm home almost everyday, but regardless I like to keep him in there for 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon. That way I have peace when I have work to do, and also if I DO have to be away, it's not a shock to his poor system--"OH NO! What did I do to deserve this????"

It sounds like you are being a lot more successful in training than we are...Malone is just so stubborn sometimes...we can't even get sit/down/stand/stay down pat. Our trainer told us to do all 4 simultaneously, but I am thinking it just makes him frustrated when he doesn't understand. I am wondering if taking one of those things at a time will work better. Our trainer doesn't believe in using treats as rewards for good behaviour, so the going is a lot slower than with treats. He believes that the training is more effective in the long run without treats.