I am not a dog person. I have lots of friends with doggies and they have all trained their doggies with crates. Those same doggies go in to the crates when they want to sleep and keep out from under foot. When kids comes around, the doggies hide in the crates. So, from what I have heard, crates can be a blessing. The secret is to let the doggie learn to love it. The kong thing sounds like you discovered gold! Here's to crates and doggies!