My pup is 9 weeks old, and we've been crate training since the beginning. He is adjusting, whines and howls less at night, my only concern is that at night when I let him out every few hours to relieve himself, he won't go back in his crate upon return. He is still learning day and night and what our schedule is, but I am wondering if I there is something I could be doing differently.

From the beginning I've been getting him comfortable with his crate, using the term kennel up with a treat to get him to go inside, but ever since he doesn't like it when the door closes he will not listen to my commands out of fear of me 'locking' him inside. Even though during the day it stays open, he eats his meals inside with it open, I store his toys inside with it open and periodically hide treats for him to find when he explores in it on his own, he won't go in on command without quickly wanting out or trying to escape before I can close the door.

I know forcing him inside his the wrong thing to do, and unless he needs to be in the crate I never do, I'm just concerned that when I force him at night because it is bed time, or during the day when I need to shower/leave the house/get him used to the door closed that this sets us back. Any tips, or am I doing the right thing and just need to have more patience.

It has only been a week, so I am not worried, just looking for assurance

I would just matter of factly put him in the crate with a high value treat and let him deal with it. Here's where consistency is your friend. Though he will tug at your heart strings, don't let him change your resolve. Mind you, i know for a fact, if we got a puppy, crate training would never work. Hubby is a softy and at the first pitiful whine, puppy would be out, I would be spitting and hubby would be...but but but, he doesn't LIKE it!!!

If b your crate is big enough, you could also climb in and hand feed for a bit.

Beyond Amy's advice, I would add one extra command, works quite well with my girls, it will take time, but I use "it's bedtime" so for you try "kennel up it's bedtime", you can also try a shhhhh. Consistency is key, he will get it, and sleep deprivation sadly happens, but it wont last long.

Thanks, we've been incredibly consistent, he knows if he whines he doesn't get out and there is no budging on our part. Last night was incredibly successful, he barely whined and when I woke up for his first potty break he didn't even want out. Just sat there with the door open with me trying to coax him out with treats. He just went back to sleep and two hours later I tried again. I still had to place him in, but at least I know it won't scar him from loving his home.