Most dogs who have been properly introduced to a crate love them. Dogs are den animals. Small and cozy caves trigger their happy inner-wolf. My puppy loves her crate - we keep the door open for her to go in and out at will. She puts her toys in there (and our shoes, spare silverware stolen from the dishwasher, and the kids stuffed animals), goes in there to take naps, or just grabs a bone and goes in there for some relaxed chewing time. Hence the reason most dogs also like dog houses when they're outside - small cozy cave mentality. And yes, we do use it to confine her when appropriate, and since she feels safe and happy in there, it's a stress-free way to keep her safe and out of trouble.

Heck, I just wish I could crate-train my kids...

Oh, the kids will stop crying if left in the crate...eventually (IMG:style_emoticons/default/devil.gif)

Small cozy cave mentality. Add toys (computers for the larger ones), a place to sleep, Cookies and Milk. A multimedia setup doesn´t hurt either.

Disadvantage: Usually the kid-boxes get so large that people use a whole room for it. But add a separate bathroom with direct access, and the buggers won´t even notice that you didn´t lock the door like you said you would.

Yep... the wife points out it works well with certain types of husbands as well. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I learned the hard way not to bring Nerf guns...I brought one along as a prop for Harlequin's Back and the players ended up passing it around and shooting each other with it the whole night or trying to hit the others' dice, etc. Never again!!!