When the pups were younger, I put my crate in the x-pen, food and water on a rug, pee pee pad, and toys in the crate and the extra play-space. I took the door off the crate. I did not latch the cage together and used the opening as a door (I thought it was easier than messing with the door). Then you can just slide it open when you want them to get in and out.
Now that they are older, I have taken the food and water out and I never close the x-pen. I have a bin on top of the crate to put leashes, harnesses, brushes and miscellaneous dog stuff in and I have a little basket in the cage floor where I load up their toys when I want to pick up. Of course they just start dragging them all out again. |