My dogs do the same thing!!! If they are crated (rare) overnight, they are fine. If they have had enough exercise during the day, they are fine. If they have been along too much, or not active enough, they want out inthe middle of the night. For me, i can put them out, bring them in and be back asleep faster and easier then I can ingore the whining, or pacing, so I do it. My rule is one trip out. The second time you wake meup, you go in your crate