How to crate train a puppy actually?

Hi everyone!

I’m getting my first dog, a puppy who will be 8 weeks old on January 6, 2026. It’s a Sheltie. I’ve watched a ton of videos and read many different Reddit posts about crate training, but I would really like some practical advice. How do you actually do crate training in practice? Where do I start?

I want long, step-by-step instructions on how to proceed. For example: how do I know that my puppy is not in distress? Should I start crate training immediately when she comes home at 8 weeks old? Does she sleep in the crate the first night? Should I put puppy pee pads in the crate? Or blankets? I was thinking of putting a blanket in there that smells like me.

What can I expect? Will the puppy cry all night? Do I just leave her there?

I know the crate is supposed to be a positive experience, but how do I actually make it positive in real life? Is crate training really worth it?

P.S. Crate training is illegal in Finland, so I’m also wondering whether my dog can still grow into a well-balanced individual without crate training.