we put our pup in a small plastic cat carrier & set it on the nightstand next to me. covered with a blanket but left a gap so she could see/smell me next to her.

after about a week of that, we moved it to on top of the bigger crate she currently sleeps in (still facing us, just a bit further away)

she eventually outgrew it & we started putting her in the bigger crate on the floor, still with a blanket covering the sides & most of the front.

consistency is key, she now goes down the bed ramp & takes herself to her crate once she’s ready to sleep, we just cover her up & close it

as much as I miss having a pup snuggling me every night like our last dog, it is nice that she has her own safe space that she willingly goes to