crate training

I have to put my big girl (9 months old) into a crate every morning before I go to work. She has never been crated till now and she is not too happy with it. She has to be pushed in and then sits there and looks so sad. We have only been doing this for a couple of days but I guess I'm feeling guilty. It's a "mom thing".

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/dog_behavior_tip_sheets/crate_training.html

also google.com has lots of them.

Thanks for the website and the info. I have been giving her favorite treat when she is in and I do place toys and hide treats for her. When I come home she is just laying quietly in there and not going crazy to get out. Do you guys think since she is good all during the night out of the crate that perhaps I could start leaving her unattended for short periods of time and work up to during the day. She is really good with potty stuff and seems to know her toys from shoes etc. My goal is to allow her free roam during the day but not sure if there is an age that danes can accomplish this. She is my first dane.