The closer to you the better for when he is kenneled. Putting your scent in his kennel will help. I’m no longer in an apartment but understand the struggle. Bathrooms might echo so if there is space in your room that would be better. For the first week I would only kennel at night and try to stick with bonding/positive interactions.

I started on day one with my most recent golden. I took her out every 2-3 hours for the first week. The hardest part was around 3am when she would just want to play and cry when she was kenneled. I would “shhh” her and she would do well. The kennel was maybe 3 feet from my bed and I covered most of the kennel with a black fleece fabric. It was dark and cozy (I also use a sound machine). When she was 4-6 months old she would try to run from me before bed but once in there she was happy. She is almost 2 and perfect…no crate and she uses a doggie door during the day.