New puppy - crate business

Question
QUESTION: Hey Kathy,

Okay, last night when i arrived home, she was playing.  But when I initially placed the cage down, with linen and towels, she was eager to find out what it was. I rewarded her for walking in on her own.  Then,  I left the door open with her recognizable items and broke some treats in her dog bed.  She did not walk in and out much but was just being a curious pup.  
Then I guided her in there with a treat. She sat and ate the treat and once she finished she realized that she was not coming out and begin to yelp.  I kept her in there for 20 minutes and let her out.  Approximately 2 hours later, I guided her again with the treat and she followed again, except this time, I covered the cage with a light blanket so that she would think that it is time to sleep.  I was able to keep her in there for 40 minutes this time, only because she was sleep. When my boyfriend got off last night her let her out and begin to play with her.

But when I tried the cover again, it worked for a minute, but she began to yelp a little (not as much though).Tricky question: How can I enforce the crate with out it being too early for her bladder.  In understand that since she is still young her bladder has no control.  I tried to cut out the fluids early last night, but I believe the treats for going in the crate were making her thirsty.

Please help me with this crate business!!! Is the cover helping her settle down? How besides putting her toys in the crate, will she play in her crate?...Does the treat reinforcement act cure all?

But again, when we let her out after she wakes up, she sniffs around and then she comes back in and uses the bathroom in the house. We started the routine of polite no-no and garden familiarity with rewards like you suggested and it paid off because she used the bathroom outdoors.

ANSWER: Hiya Jasmine firstly thankyou for your lovely comments. Now then you are doing brilliantly so well done you, and yes bribery and treats work for everything, are you putting her in her crate and staying in the room because if you are and she can see you she will continue whining, are you putting her in there so you can do your housework or is it being used just for when she goes to bed and when you have to go to work or out?
I dont think the blanket will help it may make her feel a little bit restricted and a little frightened, if you are putting her in there last thing at night when you go to bed just leavc her with a treat turn out the lights and go to bed she will probably complain, if you can ignore it do so, but if it gets too much go see to her but dont fuss her. As for the garden business i know its a pain and it may be cold but go out with her and dont come back in until she has been, you will win her over and get her to do what you want in time. Her crate should be seen to her as her bed and her little domain it should not be used for punishment, and you should be using it for times when you go out to keep her safe when you go to bed and when you have things to do around the home and you need her to be in one place, it really is all early days yet and she is still so young but as long as she is happy and you are thats whats important, you ae doing all the things you should be and really well, honest bringing up a puppy is not easy and it is extremely hard work at times they can make you laugh at other times they can reduce you to tears my little girl had me crying a few times when she was a pup, because i used to think why wont she do what i want her to but they all learn in the end.
When you go out and lock her in her crate try leaving the radio on but on a talk station not music, they like to hear voices. Let me know how you go and did she get you up during the night or did she sleep all night? Dont give up all your hard work, just keep plodding on with rewards and treats and love and cuddles
Best Wishes
Kathy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes.  I am trying to train her to feel comfortable going in and out of the crate when I am working around the house and I cannot play with her and when I leave the house to run errands. My boyfriend and I work two separate shifts so there is always someone there with her and she plays and sleeps with him all day.

I do not punish her by putting her in the crate.  I give her treats and say "home" so that she can understand.  I know she is still young, but this my first puppy in a long time and I want to be sure that we instill obedient behavior early on, but without abuse.  She did not spend the night in her crate because when honey tried to wake her she would not budge. She ended up in our room on the pile of clothes again but she slept through the night I will assume (she rarely moves when we are sleep).
If I wanted to train her to go to her doggie bed in our room, should I put motion her to the bed with my hand and give her a treat when she sits and relaxes.  Because she will only sit long enough to finish her treat.

Answer
Hi Jasmin okay so she slept in your bedroom (I wish i could let my girly sleep in my bedroom my hubby wont let her), if she sleeps all night long and you dont mind her being there i would continue as you are going, why not make her a proper bed in there with you at the side of yours give her a cuddle and just nitey nite Marli, she obviously feels happer and safe in your bedroom so why not eh!
As for putting her in her crate you are doing all right she must learn as you say when you go out or when yhou need to be doing something thats her little place and in there she must go, laying rules and guidelines down are good positive things to do, she will learn eagerly from you, follow your instincts and your heart and you wont go wrong.
Any chance of sending me a picture of her i would love to see this little girl that has cuased so much worries for you but Jasmine you are doing great bet you and your boyfriend must be really pleased with her, and how lovely for her that you do shift works and she is never on her own, Stop beating yourself up over this you are doing nothing wrong and i can tell you only want whats best for her, just enjoy her and stop worrying that you are not doing things right because you are, ALL COCKERS are just perfect, full of happiness, but with spirit, I LOVE COCKERS and once you have had one you will never want anything else, please try to send me a pic, i am enclosing my private email address its thelakes.94@blueyonder.co.uk, so you dont have to go through this site.
All the best and keep up the good work hope she sleeps well again for you tonight, might try and talk my hubby into letting me have Lucy in our bedroom (She would jump on the bed though!) (hehehe)
Kathy