[Kate]

I'm having the same difficulties with Sophie and the crate, but I just keep feeding her in her crate with the door shut for a few seconds, while she is interested in the food, then open when she sees that it's shut and starts screaming, sit there with her while she goes in and out just to make sure she knows she isn't stuck in there, but she always winds up screaming at the top of her lungs while I'm there.  But I'm being consistent and when I have to leave for a little while, I put her in the crate, let her yell (I can't hear her, but I feel for the neighbors) and when I come back in a little while she's usually asleep in there.  I think she acts worse when she knows I'm there to listen to her and let her out.  Good luck!

Bye the way Allie and Winnie are adorable.  Really cute picture.

 

[Kate]

I don't know if this would help, but it's an idea.  Since dogs are den animals by nature, what if you covered the crate with a blanket or quilt on three sides, so it feels like a den rather than being put behind bars.  Then I'd leave the door open and try and feed her in there and let her wander in and out at will for a while until she gets the sense that it's a pleasurable place to be.