Somehow I convinced my family not to pay attention to the dog whining or barking while she was in the kennel because the dog is looking for the attention and will continue to whine and bark if it gets attention at that time. We had our pup in the kitchen (high trffic area) but no one was allowed to let her out at those times. I remember it broke our hearts sometimes, but she got over it. Now she is 2 and she will go in her kennel by herself if she thinks we are going away or if she wants to get away from the kids.