Makes sense to me that if it is a place of punishment, then it would become a negative space. Can't have it both ways. We have a small back bath and that is where "timeout" was. We didn't have to crate really though as I was retired when we got him at 6 weeks. When Smokey was a puppy and I saw him getting sleepy, I'd move him to the crate, hoping he would choose to sleep there. He never did, on his own. I just don't remember. It's been 6 years now. But I must have crated him when we went shopping or to church, etc. At night, I would carry him to the crate and say, "Time to go to bed." The crate was beside the bed so if he had to potty in the night, I'd hear him right away. When he got too big for the crate, I bought a larger one but it was just for nights. Somehow he went from that to-------now in our bed and when it's cold, under the blankets down by our feet. LOL