crate training an older dog

Sounds like you've got the right idea. I've crate-trained two adult dogs and really every dog is an individual when it comes to ease of training. Conrad was a breeze, it was like the crate was the one thing he'd been missing his whole life. Marlowe on the other hand was very difficult and we had to take it in teeny-weeny baby steps and it took about 3 months.
 
A couple tips that I've used or read about: give meals in the crate. This reinforces the idea of the crate as the dog's "den", and makes being in the crate rewarding. Give a super special toy or treat only when the dog is in the crate. Save their favorite toy or treat (or both) for when they're in the crate and no other time. Every time you walk by the crate, whether the dog is in there or not, toss a cookie in. This way the crate becomes the Magical Place Where Cookies Appear.
 
And as always, never use the crate as a punishment.  Good luck! There were many many moments when I thought that Marlowe would never get it, but it did eventually happen.

Houndlove thanks for the reply.
 
I will never use the crate for punishment, I only have to tell him he is naughty and he drops his head so he knows, then I don't pay any attention to him.
 
I never thought about putting treats in the crate for him to find later on. I'm expecting it will take a little while but I am prepared. I want him to feel comfortable in there and as though it's a quiet place just for him.
 
I want to know a bit about the steps before I begin, so I don't make any stupid moves and make him scared of it.

Does any one else have any advice???????????

When my dogs were first getting used to the crate, I would feed them their meals in it also.

Here's a short, but helpful article that should give you a pretty good idea of where to start.
[linkhttp://www.special-dog.com/html/dog_crate.html]http://www.special-dog.com/html/dog_crate.html[/link]
 
 
 
Because Your Dog Is Special.
[linkhttp://www.special-dog.com]www.special-dog.com[/link]

It is a special place that belongs just to the dog.  They love it because it is a secure spot that they know they have to use for sleeping, naps.  One of my dogs was so funny, we used to put a fluffy cusion in it for him to sleep on. And during the night he slept like a dream on it. However if we left the cusion in the crate during day cratings, we would come home to Siberian in a fluffy down nest...he was sure a cutie.  He loved that thing.
 
The pups are different.  The female will go in just as her predeccessor but her brother just doesn't want to go in it....without a cookie!  But then they are ok and out for the night.