Am I creating problems for the future?

I'll keep this relatively brief as I have the tendency to write long posts 🙈

I have a 16 week old Labrador, 7 weeks in our household. Two things I would appreciate advice on:

1. Crate training. He sleeps through the night, and needs to be forced to nap because he doesn't have an off switch. However, in order to settle, me or my husband need to sit next to the crate for him to settle. Then, we are able to leave the room and be quiet as some noises can sometimes wake him up. Should I keep doing what I'm doing until he develops more, or should I just put him in the crate and leave even if he's not settled? I worry he will bark, get anxious, get thirsty and create a loop where instead of going to bed, we keep taking him outside for potty break.

2. Doesn't pay attention on walks. If we go on walks, everything distracts him – leaves in the wind, trash on the ground, people and dogs. He will usually sit when he reaches the end of the lead, but then he's very eager to say hi to dogs or other people. In situations like that he doesn't react to anything I say. Do I need to carry chicken and cheese with me on walks to ensure he listens to me? Or is this, again, something that will developmentally change as our bond grow?

Thanks!