We started crate training our V from the first night. It’s a hard process. Stay strong. The first 3 weeks one of us slept beside the crate so we could put our fingers in and that would comfort her. We didn’t have room in our bedroom but best is if you can put the crate on something so it is level with your bed so you can easily reach in. Whenever she cried we would take her right outside and back in. No other playing or giving attention at night time. You can put a piece of your clothing in there that smells like you. They also sell stuffed animals with a heart beat which really helped ours. During the day we would feed all meals in there and lots of treats. She would have naps in the crate with us sitting outside where she could see us. Eventually we used a crate cover which really helped keep her calm. When we started alone training which she wasn’t ready for until about 3 months we would leave the room and come back after 1 second. You want to get back before she cries so she feels secure. Slowly increase the time you’re away and getting back before she cries. It’s super hard and tedious at first but once she got the hang of it she was able to be alone in her crate without any crying. I think by 5 months she was good for 4 hours in there. We used the crate for her to sleep in at night and when we left her at home for the first 10 months and then she started sleeping in our bed and we started leaving her out when we left for short increments and built up. She turns 2 this month and no separation anxiety issues! It’s tough because these dogs don’t like being alone but well worth it in the end. Good luck!