Claiming His Space

Today I saw first hand that the crate has been a positive place for my Poodle puppy to call his own. After playing with the neighbor's little boy all morning, the puppy needed some time to himself and he didn't head for the bedroom, or the rug, or anywhere else he could have elected to lay down. Instead he went and laid down in his crate.
I have made it a habit now to leave the crate door open when we are home, and the puppty seems to have recognized it, because in he went to lay down and take a nap. It was so cute. It truly is his sleeping space now.
I admit I was wrong to doubt Mike when he assured me that the crate was an important part of creating a living space for our Poodle puppy. While I first thought it seemed cruel to confine him, I can see now that the crate provides a sense of security and peace for him that is stabilizing to him, and it keeps him from being underfoot for me as well. It really is a winwin situation for both of us.
Corey wasn't done playing and tried to find the puppy to get him back outside to play some more but I held my guns. I told him that the puppy was taking a nap and then Corey decided that if the puppy needed a nap he probably did too and curled up on the front room floor to sleep. The next couple hours were so peaceful I was in heaven!