Gigi cries and whines too when she is confined in her crate or play pan. Usually 10-15 minutes before me leaving the house I would ignore her (not completely ignore her, just not doing anything that will get her excited)... I usually will do the dishes and clean the kitchen (kill 2 birds with 1 stone!). I gave her a kong filled with treats when I put her in her play pan. Usually she does not even noticed when I left. She still cries after I left (I have taped her) and she will try to push the play pan or what not, but she will eventually quiet down.