thanks for all the advice you've given previously!!! i set up her crate with her bed, her chewy, treats, my worn t-shirt, a blanket on top for more of a "cave" feel, the works, but she wasn't having it!!!
i tried to get her to go in and stay, but she wouldn't do it on her own ... so i was able to tap her butt the first time and she went all the way in and i closed the door as she realized i wanted her to stay. i just left her for a few minutes ... she only fell for that trick once, after that, she would only stick the front half of her body in to try to get the treat!! if i tapped her butt, she would immediately back out!!!
i did that a couple times to show her that i wouldn't leave her in there forever....
i took her to potty and then used a treat to get her in, but she caught on quickly. she fought me at first and tried to escape (she's fast like a cat!!), but i got her in there. the first time, she did ok. she made a little mess on her bed (a touch of poo), but i cleaned it up with some nature's miracle and it was good...
the second time, i took her potty and made her go in again. this time, i was gone less time than the first time, but it was a mess. her leash was covered with poo, but there was only a little nugget of poo, she clearly didn't squat and do it. i didn't get it, but she had the poo on her bed, on her, on her toy, everything!! so i put everything in the laundry and gave her a bath. during the bath, we had an earthquake, so we were rockin' n' rollin'!!!
she also has two other beds in this area, one in her ex-pen and the other thing on the floor a few feet away from her kennel. usually, i'll let her snuggle up on the couch with me, but only if she asks. so i didn't let her b/c i knew she would then be looking for a place to lay down. at first, i removed the bed a few feet from the kennel, and instead of going in the kennel, she paced back and forth thinking about it and then finally she went in her ex-pen and used the bed in there!!!
so, i let her, then when she came out and went in the kitchen, i closed the gate to the ex-pen so she wouldn't go back in. she still wouldn't go in her kennel. but i left it out with the door open so she could freely access it.
so today, she went in on her own and went to sleep!!! here she is!!!
i'm hoping the next time i need to close the door, she will be alright....