[sritter]

I have an 8 week old labradoodle. We are trying to crate her at night. She goes into the crate easily about 11pm and about 3:30am she is barking and whining. I thought she was still young and needed to go out. 4 nights in a row now, she is not doing anything when she goes out, just wants to play. I am not in the mood for that at that time in the morning. I give her about 5 minutes to she if wshe will perform her business. (but has yet to) and put her back in her crate. I get up at 5:00am each morning for work and would like her to go until then. I have also tried just letting her cry and not let her out of her crate. She goes on for about 45minutes. I am tired!!!! What is the correct thing to do?

[cougarfan06]

First of all you are doing the right thing with crating.

I would make sure she goes out before you put her up for the night. When she whines or barks take her out on a leash and see if she needs to "go". If she goes, Praise. If she doesn't after 5-10 mins put her back into her crate. If she whines or cries, take a spray bottle of water and spray her! My dog stopped whining after a couple of nights of being sprayed. She didn't like it to say the least. At 8 weeks your puppy is not expectd to make it through the night but you do need your sleep. Remember puppies have small bladders and have to go out every hour or so.