When Ciera was small, we used an x-pen during the day and kept her food and water in there along with her crate with the door open so she could go in and out of it as she pleased. We also put a pee pad and her toys in there to play with during the day. At night, we put her in her crate and took it to our bedroom beside the bed (on my side because she is a mommy's girl
) If we left her in the kitchen all night she would cry and bark but she didn't make a wimper unless she needed to pee as long as she was in our room. Now, she stays out all the time except when we leave and at night all I have to say is let's go to bed and she will go to our room and walk right in and stays there till morning.