Crate Training

When you get your puppy or new dog, get a cage or crate that is large enough for your adult dog to stand turn around and lay down comfortably. If you have a puppy try to judge how large he will be as an adult and get that size cage/crate. When you get a small puppy that will be much bigger as an adult use a cage divider(a metal crate "wall") that many cages come with to divide the cage into smaller areas for the young puppy, or use a heavy duty cardbord box to cut down the size of the cage for your puppy(watch the cardboard for signs of wear and tear, remove if the puppy chews it replace with a cage divider).
Make sure you leave just enough room for the young, small puppy to stand(usually not a problem)turn around, and lie down comfortably. If you leave to much room in the crate for the young pup he/she will poop and pee on one side and sleep on the other. You NEVER want your puppy to learn to go to the bathroom in the crate, sometimes accidents happen and if your puppy goes a few times that usually is not a problem but you don't want it to become a habit.

Many times puppies gotten from pet stores will go to the bathroom in their crates, for these dogs try to leave their crate door open and put an exercise pen or puppy play pen attached so the puppy cannot leave the area but doesn't have to go to the bathroom in their cage, He or she can go to the bathroom in the puppy pen(you can put wee wee pads or newspaper down in the puppy play pen, but not in the crate!. NEVER line the cage with newspaper or wee wee pads, this sends the message that the puppy is SUPPOSED to go to the bathroom in their cage/crate. You don't want that !

Put some soft bedding in the crate if the dog doesn't try to eat it/shred it. If they eat or shred the bedding put them in the crate with just the bottom tray pan that comes with the crate, and no bedding.
1)Put in a couple of safe chew toys(large enough that they can't choke on, hard enough that they can break off large pieces and swallow them. )
2)Also put in an article of clothing or a blanket with your sent on it.(if the puppy doesn't chew it)
Leave the crate door open and let the puppy explore, it is a great idea to feed the puppy in the crate sometimes , and give him/her treats and special toys to find in the crate. This all makes the crate a happy and positive place to be.
Put the crate in an area of the house that is frequently visited by the family at first, many people pick the kitchen or living room.
Use a leash on the puppy(ONLY WHEN SUPERVISED) so that the puppy doesn't wander away to have an accident, or wanders off when he/she doesn't feel like paying attention, or doesn't sneak away to "get into" something he/she shouldn't have.

Another fun thing to do is to play "kibble toss" take your dog's dry dog food or small treats and toss /scatter them in the crate then leave the crate door open and let the dog "have at it".

Another way to get the dog to go in the cage and stay there with the cage door open is to tie(on a VERY short string or chain- if it's too long it can be a choking hazard) a food-stuffed kong to the back of the cage so the dog has to go in to enjoy it , but can't bring the toy out with him/her(it's attached to the cage!)
A Lixit water bottle is a great attachment to the crate (they are like the hamster water bottles that you hang on a hamster cage but they ake them in dog sizes too.)
Crate training is invaluable for house training(getting the dog not to have potty accidents in the house), for keeping the puppy/dog safe from getting into unsafe foods/items in the house, for keeping safe and peaceful around rough children/or the other way around... if your dog doesn't like children.
Another great thing about teaching your dog to be crate trained is if they ever have to travel,by car or by air, or are sick and have to go to the vet, it is a lot less stressful when they know that a cage is a "happy " place.

Eventually work up to short and longer times in their crates with the door shut.