Karaboomer, we also use the X-pen for Toto. We have it set up on a tarp just in case we have an "accident" ... it's her little "suite" complete with food/water, bed, wee wee pad and toys! The only time we ever close the gate is if we have to leave her alone for a few minutes. She wanders in and out as she pleases but knows it's her "safe place", the place to eat, drink and potty! Her toys are only in there if she takes them in or if we have to close the gate! Works for us!!
Early on when we were first gaining success with the wee wee pad training and she learned that if she did something that pleased us ... then we did something that pleased her ... she started coming and "informing" us that she did a "good thing" and wanted her treat! We noticed one day that she evidently was really having to "squeeze" out about a 25 cent sized pee pee on the pad ... got her treat ... and not 5 minutes later would do it again! We knew that very day that she had indeed gotten "the hang of it"!!!