We have a 13mo. Chocolate lab, he gets plenty of exercise. Walks/runs 3 mi. everyday with my husband. He is in the crate for 8.5 hours a day, never any accidents. But, at night he wakes up evey 2 hours on the hour begging to go to the bathroom. My husband gives in, in fear that he will have an accident in the house. My husband has missed work due to exhaustion. I refuse to take him out because I feel that he's looking to play or just bored. 1. what is the cause? 2. what's the solution? Anxiously waiting for a response! Sleepless in NY

Could you just clarify,he spends 8.5 hours crated during the day,and also crated during the night,so,lets just say another 8 hours?

That would be a total of 16.5 hours on his own out of 24 hour day.

You could be right that he is looking for company,and to play,would it be possible to get a dog sitter for part of the day,a friend to come in or family member to look after him during the day.

No, he is crated while we are working typically 8-4:30. Unfortunately, we got into the terrible habit of having him sleep in the bed with us since our 9 year old lab has always slept in the bed. He will stand up and continue licking my husband until he gets up.

I would switch it around.
Crate him of a night, that's for sure.
Crating of a night enables you AND the dog to get a good nights sleep.

Of a day I would be leaving him out of the crate.
I persoanally have a baby gate that I use to block off a certain part of my house for the dogs when I go out. It took me a while to find the "least destructive" spot but I have finally chosen the living room and the dogs have been fine in there.
During the day I don't really like crating because the dog can get very bored and I like to give them room to walk about and play.