[Mardelin]

I've had friends bring me their older dogs to kennel train.....because of issues like you have explained. I start off slow (now this is going to be upsetting to you more than the dog) I start out at square one again; putting them in an x-pen during the day and at night kenneling them. However, the x-pen (I get in there during the day and play with them) is where they can see me and the kennel is in my bedroom. Yes, there is howling and/or crying (just attempting to push my buttons). Oh! I always put a chewie in their and a night, night baby with them. Retraining, on an average takes a couple of nights, 3 at the most.

All my pups have begun their lives in a puppy playpen (very much like a crate). I've always felt that it was a the best way to begin their lives. My thinking is that what happens if they ever get sick enough to have be left overnight at the vets, or kenneled because you have to go on a trip.