You can pick up brand new crates of Ebay for reasonable prices. Thats where we got ours from and it was perfect.

I would start off with it downstairs. Put his bed and some toys in there, even feed him in there and leave the door open to start with. He will soon learn that it is a nice place to be. When he is lying in there quietly close the door for a couple of minutes and gradually increase the time the door is shut. Never use it for punishment. If you cover it with a throw or blanket he will love his little den.

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