Crate Training :(

Henry is a schnauzer.  Schnauzers like to bark. Barking schnauzer Henry = not so happy neighbors.  Not so happy neighbors + WAY too much time on your hands =  extremely rude lovely informative sign taped on your door.

Of course we were totally unaware that Henry has been barking ALL the time when we are gone.  How WOULD we know?  Sure he barks at dogs outside or on TV and cries when we leave, but how were we supposed to know that he barks for a long time when we are NOT home!??  Am I missing something here?  I guess someone just did not have the decency to come talk to us about it and felt this was the appropriate way to deal with it??  

Anyways, we went and bought a crate which is something that we should have done long ago. We are just trying to get him used to it right now, and it seems like so far he has done pretty well.  We are taking it VERY slow and just keeping the door open so he can go in and out as he pleases.  He has gone in there a few times to sleep.  

Hopefully, in a few weeks we can start closing the door and eventually put him in there when we leave.  Every time I leave our place and hear him cyring/ barking, I just cringe at the thought that we are disturbing our neighbors.  Any tips on our new adventure of crate training a 4 year old dog would be greatly appreciated!