when we crate trained Badger we started at night by putting him to bed and I put the crate beside me. that way he knew I was there. Then when I would go out I would put him in the crate with a bone or a chewy, when he was occupied I would slip out the door. He took crate training very well and didn't make a big fuss.
We did also get him a really big crate to so he had lots of movement in it.
We did also get him a really big crate to so he had lots of movement in it.