[Erin]

Loki is about the same age and when he DOES wake up in the middle of the night (usually to go outside) he tries to initiate play. He will grab and toy and run around me in circles until I'm standing at the door with the leash and then he gives in and comes. When he comes back in I shut all the lights off and head right back up the stairs. I don't even give him a treat any more for going outside at night I just tell him he's a good boy and go straight back to bed. He always shows up within 2 mins and gives up and goes back to sleep.

When he wakes up early in the morning (like now! 5:22am) and won't go back to sleep he is usually hungry. Have you tried feeding her later in the day so she won't wake up hungry at night? I feed Loki breakfast and dinner.

My guess is that she's not really tired and wants attention. She is getting it too, since she doesn't KNOW that you are just trying to figure out what she needs. You get up, turn the light on, talk to her, etc. You have to ignore her. It's OK to put her in her crate when she whines as a time out. My husband is home with Loki during the day and he said he sleeps a good 6 hours. So even when someone is home he sleeps all day and is active at night. Your girl is probably like this too, but if she needs more activity can you try a doggie daycare or a dog walker? If I send Loki to daycare even once every 2 weeks it takes the edge off his hyperness. They just run around and chase each other for 8 hours and come home and sleep for 3 days. It's great.

We also have a rule around here, no naps after 7pm. It's kind of a joke, but not really. If we are watching TV Loki will curl up and nap, and then not sleep at night. So even if WE are couch potatoes one of us sits and plays tug with him or throws his ball. Sometimes I will give him a kong to keep him busy. Anything to keep him awake. He doesn't get to nap before bedtime!