Lab waking in middle of night

Question
Hi

can you help me about how to get our 10 month old Chocolate Lab to sleep through the night. I know at that age she can hold it, but always barks at around 4am to be taken downstairs to be let out. Any training tips? I let her out just before bed, and no water after 8pm. She is also a pop eater.
Any help on either or both problems would be helpful.
FYI she was a problem barker, but the citrinella spray collar is working great.

Thanks,

Tired

Answer
Carefully check the house for anything that might be giving her a clue, a coffee pot on a timer, a programmable thermostat, etc.  If it is something like a neighbor leaving for work, you may not be able to do much.  

You could try a crate.  Other dogs may
not be as bad as the young Labs I am plagued with.  Still your house and dog
will be much safer with the dog in a crate when you are away.  The dog may be
happier in its den than loose in the house.  It relaxes, it feels safe in its
den.  It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving
its self.  Dogs that have been crated all along do very well.  Many of them
will rest in their crates even when the door is open.  I think the plastic
ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling.  They are harder for
dogs to open too.    Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with
something the dog can't pull in and chew.  Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys.  Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter.  Don't leave
anything in the crate the dog might chew up.  It will do fine without even any
bedding.  You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, make take some work.
Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate.  Praise it for going
in.  If you have been able to trust it with any bedding, put that in the crate.
Feed it in the crate.  This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding
time for more than one dog.

There are answers to the feces eating.  I usually try to manage it by cleaning up after them.  You could try adding something to the food.  Home remedies are pineapple juice and canned pumpkin.  Commercial products are Deter and Forbid.