Regarding the peristalsis, I understand (I think) the whole process, pathophysiology, etc. My experience has generally been that when I feed a dog they are able to relieve themselves within about 15 minutes. Obviously they are pooping out the previous meal that has since digested and the food now in their stomach is beginning to process and pushing everything along. I think, too, some of this is a habit that has been taught over time where the dog equates a full stomach with a signal to poop.

This dog will sometimes not evacuate right away when taken out on leash, as opposed to just being let out in the back yard. However, being specific with the overnight issue, she is fed around 6:00 P.M. and if only taken out on leash to monitor her bathroom habits she sometimes does not have a bowel movement until 10:00. She certainly should not "have" to go until being fed in the morning, in my mind anyway.

I say they are formed logs based upon what I'm cleaning up. There is no liquid, etc.

Lynne,
That's my next step, but I've been resistant to that as I wanted to keep a resource inside to confine her, but...

Again, if she really does as well as you say in your son's room (no pooping and no whining at 4 am.), how about this - put the bottom half of the airline kennel right where she is tethered, with bedding. When she is used to that, add the top half. When she is used to that, substitute the wire kennel if you want.

Or just tether her there when you go out - for many years back in the day, before crating became the popular thing to do, I tethered dogs to eyebolts in the wall by their beds while they were puppies, and older if needed. Not as ideal as a crate, but it's working for you now, and would be a good solution since you are at your wit's end!

"As to the "why" I use it question, although it's not often, when my older son is home with his dog, leaving this little Mal out is not an option. There are times, too, when tradespeople or others visit the house and she likewise needs to be confined out there."
This can be worked around as well - if your son is cooperative, perhaps his dog can go in the crate at night, and the mal tethered, and tether her in his room with the door closed while visitors are there. I'd keep it this simple for now, to break her of the reinforced habits ...

 Quote: eric eschmann

My experience has generally been that when I feed a dog they are able to relieve themselves within about 15 minutes.

None of my dogs do this. Generally, they go in the morning between 7 and 10 am.

 Quote: eric eschmann

This dog will sometimes not evacuate right away when taken out on leash, as opposed to just being let out in the back yard.

Lots of dogs are like this. In my dogs' world, leash = walk or training, not take a poop.

 Quote: eric eschmann

She certainly should not "have" to go until being fed in the morning, in my mind anyway.

You're wrong.

Again:

 Quote: Melissa Hoyer

Is there a size difference between the wire crate and the plastic crate? Thinking she might have enough room to feel comfortable pottying in a larger crate...

Yes, the wire one is slightly larger.

 Quote: Eric Eschmann

Yes, the wire one is slightly larger.

OK. She probably has enough room that she feels comfortable using part as a bathroom space. Then, when her anxiety sets in, she walks in it. My Cairn Terrier has always needed a crate that is just big enough for her to stand up, lay down, and turn around. Any bigger and she will potty in it. This is why I have about twelve crates of varying sizes in my garage.

How old is this dog? And has she been crate trained since she was a pup? When did the problem emerge? Does she soil in the house at all?

My 11 month old pup has the occasional night where he might give a few peeps in his crate. Usually this happens on a night when he did not go to the bathroom prior to going into his crate and has lessened dramatically as he has gotten older. (Note that he eats at 5 pm and will usually poop anytime between 8 and 10.) I calmly let him out and return him right to his crate. No problems.

As for your dog waking you up at 4...well, she's probably done sleeping about then My dogs would all love for me to get up at about 6...I am not so interested. As Connie mentioned earlier, you have to teach your dog that she will get no attention from you at these times.

Why not just tether her in your room? Perhaps as Cindy suggested
put the bottom half of the airline kennel right where she is tethered, with bedding. When she is used to that, add the top half. When she is used to that, substitute the wire kennel if you want.

Yeah, it may not be fun for a couple of nights, but I imagine that she'll pick up pretty quickly that you decided when it's time to get up. I have 3 Border Collies who are all

If she has anxiety issue in crates then chances are it is only going to get worse by sticking her in a crate away from you. If you want her attitude about the crate to change, you need to actively teach her to be calm in the crate. If you do an internet search for "crate games" you can get some ideas on training ideas that might help to change her overall attitude about the crate.

Dog is 19 months. We've had her for 9 months. The information that I received from the previous owner is that they never used a crate. She has never soiled inside of the house with the exceptions of one time in the airline crate inside my son's room many, many months ago when we first started using that crate in his room and the time I mentioned up above when I tried putting her into a crate that was arguably too small when she had awoken me with her pestering.

I won't put her in my room because 1. my young son thinks of her as "his" dog and wants her in his room. 2. my older Mal sleeps in my room, both Mals in there overnight together would be a bad idea.

Now to Google "crate games."

If she is sleeping in my son's room she will behave fine while loose, sleeping on the floor without a problem. So long as the door is closed, she stays in there and is quiet until I go to get her, which is anytime between 5:30 and 7:00 A.M. If let her sleep in there with the door open, without fail she'll come and wake me up at 4:00. I have in the past when she's done this told her to "platz" and she'll lay by my bed until I get up, but I wish she would stay in my son's room even when the door is left open. I can have her tethered on a leash to my son's bed with his door open and she is fine then also, secured to the bed but not barking or whining.

and

1. my young son thinks of her as "his" dog and wants her in his room.

So if your son wants her in his room, and she does just fine in his room with the door closed or if she's tethered, what is the issue at home??

Like any 8 y.o., he is not the best at always remembering to close his door or not to let the dog slip by him. For numerous reasons beyond that, life will be much easier and managing much simpler what at times is 4 dogs at the house IF this little Mal learns to behave in the garage crate.