Melissa,
The fact that she is already 7months makes it more of a challenge. But getting up through the night to let her out is a HUGE no no when crate training them. I know it sucks and you don’t want a mess to clean up in the mornings but sometimes you just have too. It is suppose to be natural for them to not want to potty where they sleep. I don’t know her background so I will give you the advice I have learned from several puppies over the years.
1.)Don’t let them out in the middle of the night. She is at the age now where she should be able to hold it during the night.
2.)Put a stuffed animal in her crate to mimic a sibiling.
3.)If she has a wire crate that is all open place a blanket or towel over it to help her feel sheltered.
4.)Put her in the same room with you. If she is in another area of the house and it’s new to her she may feel lonely at night and scared. If she can see you and smell you she will feel more at ease.
5.)Either take a towel(that you rub all over you to get your sent) or an old shirt of yours and place in her crate too.
I tend to think of them like a baby. When they cry and the minute you hold them or they are with you they calm down and are fine.
Try those things and see if that helps. Let me know.
Amber
