help with crate training

[milomommy]

I'm new to the site and can really use some help. I got my shih poo last saturday, he's 12 wks old and his name is milo. He is so cute and funny. My problem is that he hates his crate. I had to return to work the following Monday. I did crate him that evening in my bedroom (all wrie crate) and he carried on for a short while. The following a.m. I put him in his crate and all heck broke out. He was so upset I honestly thought he would hurt himself. Because I didn't have enough time to gradually introduce the crate I now have a real problem.
Any advise will be greatly appreciated.

[brads]

I'd start by feeding him in his crate. When he goes in, give him lots of praise. "You went in your crate. Good boy!!!" This will help him see you like it when he goes in his crate and believe it or not, it makes a dog happy to make you happy so... You can put a chew bone he likes in there too. (Nothing he can tear up or choke on of course.) Just keep it up and it will soon become his home away from home. Oh, don't let him out when he barks in his crate. If you do he'll soon learn that if he makes enough noise, sooner or later you'll let him out. Not what you want and really hard to un-teach. If he contunues barking in his crate, post it and we'll help you get through that too. Hope this helps and good luck.