Crate Training

Here is a link to an article about crate training.  At our place I use the crate as a safe place.  The dogs all have their own crate. I have inside and outside crates depending on the weather.  They love them. At anytime I can yell.....haha say kennel and all dogs head to their crate.  Thus no matter what they are doing mischievous or not, they head to their spot.  This helps when the unexpected neighbor passes in and she doesnt really love dogs. 
At night I say time for bed, well then everyone lines up to go to their personal bed kennel.  If I leave them outside too long, they look in the window asking to be put in their bedroom.  The same kennels are used for travel,  some of the gang can be trusted at home alone, but some are best crated for their own safety if I go to town. 
The puppies are started very early in crates.  There is always a gateless crate left in with them so they get used to sleeping in  a crate from a young age.  http://info.drsophiayin.com/crate-training-handout