Glad to hear that it worked out

Our lab is a rescue and we crated her when we got her.

I hated it so I took her out of it and she cried till I let her back in she was so used to the cage.

However bit by bit she got used to it and now the crate is no longer needed.

I really like your solution with the outdoors.

I can not do it because the neighbours dog is this yippy little thing that never quiets down. However if I fenced off a run for her it might work (In the spring anyway summers are way too hot to leave her out)

Thanks for the idea