cratetraining/nighttime

Question
I have a 4monthold Peekapoo.She has  been trainedin a crate  from birth, but does not sleep through the night.Some nights are better than others. Sometimes she really  needs to go out  but sometimes I think  she is just rotten. I have done some research and  think maybe she is  being allowed  to stay out for too long of a time period. Could that  have  something to do with it? She is very loving and so strong willed.

Answer
When you take a dog out in the middle of the night, it's best to go out quietly, praise softly when the dog does her business, and then quietly put her back into her crate without any play, or attention.  Dogs learn very quickly how to manipulate their owners into staying out past potty time, or getting some attention.  You have to be aware of that, and teach your dog that midnight potty runs are just that, and not an excuse to make the human play!  Be sure you put her on a leash and go out with her, and not just leave her to her own devices.  That could be a problem if her "devices" are more fun than her crate;-)