Pooping in Crate at Night

Question
Help Labman . . . we have a 4-month old lab pup.  We have had her since she was 4 weeks old, and has always been crate trained.  She is smart, and so, so good - except at night.  She is fed a cup and a half in the morning, and again around 4PM.  She poops outside about 6 - 7 times during the day, and we take her out for the last time around 11PM.  For the past week and a half, we are waking up to 2-3 poops in her crate (something she never did when younger!!!).  She doesn't eat it, or sleep in it, nor does she cry to let us know she needs to go out!  Please help, my husband is ready to give her away, and my two children will be heartbroken.  Thank you, Lynne

Answer
Several things could be going on here.  A 4 month old should easily go over night.  Are the stools still well formed?  If not, perhaps the vet can help.  

If she isn't going when you take her out at night, make sure she runs around a little to stimulate the body.  

How big is the crate?  If she has too much room, it can be a problem.  Try blocking off all but enough room for her to stretch out in.  This could be counter productive, forcing her to lay in it.  If so, go back to the full size.

She could also have decided she is a big girl now is doing it to protest being shut away from everybody else at night.  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/

Here are some other ways to establish her position:

''Elevation for small puppies:  Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up.  He is facing you.  Hold him for 15 seconds.  Repeat until he no longer struggles.  If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.  

Cradling for small puppies:  Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby.  If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds.  With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down:  Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you.  Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position.  When he is quiet, praise him.  Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position.  When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work.  It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual.  I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective.  You may want to give her a belly rub while she is on her back too.  Helps bonding.  There is a big difference between her rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll her over and rub her belly.  The latter cements your place as pack leader.