I am a breeder of Golden Retrievers and have been training dogs for over 25 years. I have done both non-crate and crate training over the years. Personally, I find crate training a pup more humane than letting them have the run of the house when nobody is there. After a dog is house broken (for potty and knowing what is acceptable and not acceptable to chew on) they can gradually be weaned from the crate while you are not there. Always leave the door open though so they can go in when they want to. I find they even go in once they are allowed to come out. Here are some ideas on the subject.

The Importance of Crate Training

When dogs are in the wild, they live in a den. This makes them feel safe and secure. In your home, his crate is his den. Crate training should start as soon as you bring your puppy home. Make the crate as comfortable as you can. He should be encouraged to sleep and rest in the crate. He should be coaxed in, not forced. Use a command such as "Kennel" or "Kennel up" and tap on the top of the kennel. A small treat can be used, and always give him lots of praise. Never put his food in the crate. Just use treats he especially loves. At first, he may try to back out, or become very timid. This is normal. Just give him time, and he'll go in on his own. In the beginning, don't close the door. Let him go in and out as he pleases, until he's comfortable with this situation. Once he is comfortable, restrain him with your hand in the doorway. Eventually, he will feel comfortable enough to have the door closed. A puppy should be kept in his crate whenever not supervised.

A puppy instinctively knows not to "mess" in his crate, but he does need to go out every 2-4 hours when he's young. Make sure you take him out frequently, and get him on a schedule. When you take him out use a command such as "Go Potty" and use lots of praise when he does.

He will not be able to destroy things, by chewing on them, when he is in his crate. Leave an approved chew toy in the crate with him, so that he can satisfy his need to chew. Eventually, as the puppy grows into a full grown dog, he will use his crate, with the door open, as his own little den.

Sorry to those of you who disagree with my opinion here. I know there are both sides to the camp but.... no hard feelings

Best of Luck on your new pup and stick to your guns about crate training. You are doing the right thing.