Barking in crate

Question
Hi, I have a 4 month old Lab puppy, she has been barking a lot in her crate. I know it's natural for her to not like the crate, but even after she's been outside for a walk, she still barks when we put her in the crate to sleep. If there's any way to get her to stop, please tell.

Answer
I never crate puppies when I am around to watch them.  At bed time, with a new puppy, I have found lying down in front of the crate like you were going to sleep and speaking softly to it, or singing, until it settles down and goes to sleep works very well. Follow the pattern, a period of active play, outside to eliminate, and then into the crate.

More activity, a lively game of fetch followed by a walk may help too.  In our modern society, even if we are home, other things distract us from the attention an uncrated puppy must have. I think the plastic ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling. Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with something the dog can't pull in and chew.