Crate training/puppy training

We just got our sweet boy 3 days ago, at 8 weeks old!

We have been trying to prioritize affection as a reward over treats and he has been responding really well. He definitely listens to “No.” When it comes to biting or trying to jump on things or go where he shouldn’t.

But goodness, the whining is one we hope to break. Or at least.. diminish!

For the last few nights, my husband and I have taken turns sleeping out on the couch where we have his pen set up. But it’s just an open pen, basically a babies play pen. And he’s got his bed, toys, food and water and a pee pad.

He wakes up a few times a night and can typically go back to sleep within 20-30 minutes with a lot of coaxing. But we do not get in the pen with him, we just sort of pet him over the pen and shush him til he falls back asleep.

We would like to introduce a crate, so that we both can comfortably sleep in bed. But really the crate makes no difference if we can’t get his whining to diminish or at least quiet down. We are going to do a slow introduction. Maybe just have the kennel in the pen with him and place treats in it for the first night. Then the second night we will place his bed in it. Then hopefully by night three we could close the kennel? Is this too quick? Is it mean to let him just whine and holler? I feel like we are going to scar him!!

What is your advice?