I am no expert so this is only my own experience. We just got our almost 1yr old who had never really been in a crate before either but because we both work it was our only option. He can climb out of the X Pens and we didn't want to leave him shut up in a bathroom all day with no way to see the outside world.
We got him on a weekend and started putting him in for about 30min at a time throughout the day to see if he would whine or bark. We put a toy or two in with him so he would have something to keep him occupied. He did really well with no whining or barking. And the few times he did whine we would just say Rusty lay down and that would usually settle him. We never let him out if he was whining because that just teaches them to whine to get their way like children
. At first he did not want to go In the crate but once he was there he was fine. The first night we had him he stayed in all night with no problems at all. I cover the crate at night with a towel so he will know it is bed time and he can't see anyone moving about and think it is time to get up.
Now if we are home he does not stay in the crate except at night because I don't fully trust him to have run of the house...not as long as he is marking on things lol!
He likes going in the crate when we leave in the mornings now he will go in with no trying to run back out. Of course I give a treat on entry and he is very treat motivated!
I think given the fact that Rustys prior owner was a stay at home Mom and never really crated him he has done exceptionally well and we are very lucky that he likes it! Of course it probably doesnt hurt that we have another dog who stays in the crate when we are gone to and their crates are side by side so they are never really "alone".