Ok, I only skimmed through this thread, but I didn't see this idea.
Stella? Can you exercise her heavily in the morning before work and then again in the evening? Like, you know, running, ball throwing rope tugging breaking a sweat exercise? It sounds to me like she needs to be all worn out before she gets put in that crate.
My neighbor used to have a Destructo. He bought a new bike and a to hook the dog to the bike. He would get up super early and take her for a bike ride. Well, he would be riding and she would be running along next to him. It totally worked. He would do it again in the evening. SHe was so tuckered out, she became the most obedient mellow dog EVER.
Get Casey to do it.