An xpen is an exercise pen. You can google for them. Like this:
Pet Yard XT Pet Gate Enclosure
I can't crate train because I work 9-5 and I first read that leaving a pup in the crate for 8 hours is too long. So I first started witht he xpen, it is definitely a great investment. My parents bought it for Duke from Babies R Us and it's actually cheaper than most pet stores.
I like it because Duke is older now and I can take the xpen apart and use 2 sections to block the door way so he has the run of whatever specific room I put him in. Try the xpen if the crate doesn't work.
Also, the info on the pad training is great, that's pretty much what I did with Duke. He now goes on the pad unless there's a rug on the floor, which is a whole other topic
.
Good luck and be patient, YT is very helpful and we all have gone thru it if not something similar.