Kirra has had a crate from almost day one, but she doesn't have any interest in it. I started by putting her in it with special toys and treats when I ran to the store quickly and have progressed to leaving her in it for longer periods of time. She is maturing so she has been given the privilage of having the run of the house during the store runs now, but she has never willingly gone to her crate. If I put her food and water in it, (I tried that to get her used to good things in the crate) she will pick them up and carry them back out. (that doesn't work well with either. She cleans up the food, but the water is a lost cause.)
I would like it if she felt like that was her space. Am I the only one with this problem?

Do you cover the crate? Some dogs like the extra security that comes with not being able to see out...... Also try encouraging her with treats and toys when you are around, she may believe that by not going in the crate, she can prevent you from leaving..

That sounds about right. She puts up a stink when I do try to put her in. Lucky for me she is a little dog.
The crate I have for her is plastic so it is fairly dark. She does tend to settle down when it is dark so I leave the curtain in my room closed. Do you mean leave something over it all the time so she feels like she is hiding?