crate training an older puppy?

[Mary, Scrappy, Sully and Olive]

We've successfully crate trained both of our older dogs as puppies....but at about 9 weeks.  We just were blessed with a rescue, who's 7 months and never been crate trained.

Overall, he's a really great dog. No issues. But he tends to get over tired and doesn't know enough to settle.and rest unless I gate him in my room and lay with him.  Which is fine....but I don't get anything done, lol.

I'm also concerned as to what I'll do with him if I need to leave him.  Up until now, we've been able to take both dogs with us everywhere.  I had hoped to be able to crate train for this reason also.....he's a counter surfer and it would be for safety.  We have lots of gates up, so I could just as easily confine him to one area. Just not sure what would be best for him.

I've wanted to teach him the joy and peacefulness of the crate for resting quietly, but didn't want to frighten him when he first arrived here.  I've had the crate set up from day one and have encouraged him to go into it with treats, toys, etc.  But he doesn't like the door shut at any point.  

My question is for anyone who has rescued or taken home an older pup.  Is it worth it to crate train at this point? I don't want him to think it's a punishment.  He loves being with us and I'm home all day anyway.  

My older doodle, who's 11, is actually sleeping in it right this minute.  She was happy to see it back up!  But she probably enjoys it because she gets a break from his puppy energy. Smart girl.  

So, looking for advice or opinions of anyone who's dealt with an older, non crate trained puppy.  

[Amy and Annabelle]

When we brought Annabelle home as a puppy she was in a crate for the 2 hour ride home. She always felt like that crate was her safe place. When she got bigger and I transitioned her to larger crates, she wasn't as eager to get in them. As a matter of fact she protested pretty hard. So I gave her a high value treat of chicken. Once she started just going in there on her own I started cutting down on the treats until I gave her nothing. She has done great ever since. Now she will just go in her big crate on her own even if I am not asking her to. Then we bought a dog bike trailer to take her bike riding with us. She wanted nothing to do with it in the beginning. So I started with the chicken treats for that as well. Now she loves the trailer, she sticks her head out the top and watches people and animals. So my answer is bribery, as least for awhile in the beginning, until they don't see it as a bad place. That probably won't fly with most people, but it worked for us and Annabelle. I was doing some purging from the basement the other day where her trailer is stored for the winter, and she wanted in her bike trailer. She just laid in there on her comfy pillow and watched me work.

[Mary, Scrappy, Sully and Olive]

That's all I've come up with...bribery. Unfortunately, I think even if I put a whole ham in there, he'd still panic when I closed the door. Even if I'm sitting with him. Not giving up yet though :)

He's only been with us for 2 weeks, so I'm going slowly so he doesn't become frightened. I'm just worried that the longer it takes, the harder it'll be.

[Gail and Bailey]

Taking it slow is a good thing!  Think of all the things he has been through and all the changes in his life so far.   He will get there with love, consistency, and time.  Congrats on your new boy!