Crates

[AwsomeMrsFox]

I'm sure this has been done loads of times but.....

Please can someone recommend a book on crate training? The dog we have acquired (9 months old) is used to a crate, so we got one and he seems quite happy to go in it when we tell him but never goes in it of his own choice (would rather be with us). Do you use it for chunks of time during the day even if you are home? From a brief read of threads on here you only use them for a year or so?

Also (sorry now I've started this is going to turn into a longer thread!) our well behaved dog is already picking up bad habits with us, such as: trying to pull on lead (I am nipping this in the bud), stealing children's toys and socks, digging, jumping up and not letting me groom him. Do you think we somehow led him to think he is in charge? Or is it normal for a new dog to try it on till he finds his place? I know these aren't too bad in the scheme of things, but seeing he came to us as such a good boy I would like to maintain and build on his training.