Puppy nightime barking limits?

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

We got a lab/pit(?) mix at the shelter about 2 weeks ago.  He's about 11 weeks old.  He's taking well to crate training.  The first couple of nights he would wake up to pee, we'd take him out, then we would put him in the crate and lie on the floor nearby until he fell asleep.  This was fine.  Then he was sleeping through the night.  But at 1:15 this morning he started barking.  I walked him.  Put him back in the crate and went to bed.  He barked.  And barked. And barked.  An hour later I got up and walked him again.  Put him back in the crate.  He was not tired.  I lay on the floor for 40 mins, then got up to go back to bed.  Barking resumed.  He's still barking an hour and a half later.

How long should I let him bark?  Is there a limit?  If he's in one of these spells, how often do I get him out to walk him?  (Putting him back in the crate seems like I would be punishing him - we don't want him to hate his crate.)

Please help!

Thanks,
   martha

ANSWER: I have had great luck with the lying on the floor next to the crate technique.  In fact, it is the only thing I know that does work.  You could try leaving a little light, the radio on, etc. but if lying down by the crate doesn't work, you have to fall back on letting him bark.

Sometimes a stern ''Bad dog!'' and a slap on the top of the crate works.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for that answer.  However, the other part is how long should I let him bark before he needs to be taken out to wee again?  And doesn't taking him out while barking reinforce that barking gets my attention?

Thanks!

Answer
At 11 weeks, he shouldn't need to go out more than once over night if at all.  The stress of being left in the crate may cause him to eliminate when otherwise he wouldn't have to.  

Yes, taking him out does reinforce the barking.  Keep it short, and return him to the crate.  With any luck, he will give up in a few nights.  

My daughter, the new mother, points out the advice for a crying baby is just the opposite, respond quickly to reassure it that it is in a safe environment.