We used the crate to train him (made the crate a happy place, where he got all his dinners, where he slept, etc) but there was never a plan to keep that permanent. As soon as I could trust him to not poop and pee all over the house I bought him a bigger dog bed. He started using that and eventually I took the crate down as he got comfortable without it. I don't want a dog jail sitting around my house that the prisoner is trained to enjoy. He has 3 beds across the house now and he's not shy about asking for attention when he wants some attention, though his idea of attention is playing tug of war or standing by the door staring at me until I take him for a walk.
Also guys I feel like we are losing the plot a bit here. They ARE dogs. Growing up we had a German Shepard that didn't even sleep inside the house, and we had to sneak her in when my mom/grandma weren't paying attention. My mom was shocked when I told her I was getting a dog while living in a condo. "And the dog will sleep inside?!"