Training your puppy to use a crate is not cruel and unusual punishment! Quite the contrary. When puppy is crate trained properly before long he or she will consider the crate as a "den" and go their automatically when they are tired or just want to be alone.

Socialization is a very important key for a sound minded puppy. It has a lifelong impact on behavior and development of the adult dog. Puppy socialization involves learning about their fellow littermates, the mother and humans. A pup needs to spend time with other pups and adult dogs to learn dog language and canine social interaction. When pups play together, they learn motor and perceptual skills. They need about 2 months with their littermates. By then, they are ready for human exposure. Early contact with humans helps them overcome their fear and stress.

Puppy socialization is about introducing them to all sorts of new situations, people, and environments -- they have to be confident when exposed to them. You wouldn't want it turning on to anything it perceives as a threat. A perceived threat to a dog is usually one that it is not familiar with, or one that looks strange and dangerous to him.

Socialize your puppy to all kinds of people -- people wearing hats, baseball caps, eyeglasses, sunglasses; on wheelchairs, holding a cane, pushing a baby cart, pushing a grocery cart, etc.

Also, get him used to vehicular traffic (big trucks, blaring horns, etc.), joggers, bicyclists, scooters; and different footings or surfaces like the metal grills on streets, plastic, glass, wobbly bridges, teeter-totters or see-saw (found in kids' playgrounds).

Get him used to loud noises and loud public places.

When you notice that your pup is acting fearful, just ignore him and let him get used to it independently. Do not prod him to it or say, "It's okay." He might misinterpret your words to mean, "Good boy" or "Reassurance" as if something should be wrong, and he will dwell on that behavior. Act nonchalant and confident so your puppy will feed on your behavior.