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I was very, very stupid when I first got Lillie and did not crate train her. Now, as she's getting older I'd like for her to be comfortable at trials/events. I really want her to love a crate and have a safe place of her own. I bought the Crate Games DVD and I love it, but the issue is that I can barely get her near a crate to begin. I started today by taking the plastic pan/bottom out and letting her sniff it - then clicking and treating. After half an hour and sitting her dinner on the pan, we finally got all four paws on. Now, she'll pretty much step on it and not think twice. However, the crate as a whole is super scary to her. I even tried putting food in and she will stick her head in but is very hesitant. I'm going to start over tomorrow using this method Acclimating Fido to his Crate - Method #2. Meanwhile, are there any major tips that I should know about? I don't want her to be afraid and I feel so awful that I didn't acclimate her to this when she was younger. She tends to have a problem with anything closing over her head though - even tunnels - and tends to be head shy with outreached hands as well.