Actually, after the neuter they tend to gain weight often because they become less active. If he is a little pudgy already, I would start working on that (although he is still a pup so might just have some puppy pudge).
As for the whining in the crate, he is looking for attention. I would not be feeding him at 4:00 in the morning. If he whines, you get up, take him outside to do his business then straight back to bed. No playing or anything. The more he gets used to the attention through the night, the more he will want it. I learned this the hard way. I am not saying to ignore him because he very well might need to go out and you don't want to teach him to mess in his crate but it should be just out and back in, that's it.
As for the whining in the crate, he is looking for attention. I would not be feeding him at 4:00 in the morning. If he whines, you get up, take him outside to do his business then straight back to bed. No playing or anything. The more he gets used to the attention through the night, the more he will want it. I learned this the hard way. I am not saying to ignore him because he very well might need to go out and you don't want to teach him to mess in his crate but it should be just out and back in, that's it.
