Cocker spaniel waking up very early

My son’s labrador is 10 months old. When he takes him into the garden for his bedtime wee he takes him on the lead. That way there’s no playing round the garden, looking for toys etc leaving you unsure if he’s actually performed. The dog usually wees within 10 seconds then back into the house and straight to bed.

I'll try both the lead and the torch.?

My bulloxer (aged 10) goes out for her last wee at about 9pm (when I go to bed) and needs to go out a about 3.30am. I feed her and then we go back to bed. She would then sleep until about 10.00am. Not ideal, I know. I am a pensioner and can fit in a doze during the day if need be.

I don’t mind if the dog wants out at 6 or 6.30, I make myself a mug of tea and take it back to bed.
If your dog goes out for a wee, just leave him downstairs (not the living room, but wherever his bed is) as at least there will be no “accidents”.
The light mornings won’t be helping, but if he has a short bedtime walk -pee and a poo- followed by a Lilys Kitchen bedtime biscuit (Rosie has three!) he should be OK for 8 hours.
Otherwise, bite the bullet and enjoy your tea in bed!
It could be worse - like this!

I posted this thread in April and since then things have really improved. We took our dog on holiday with us in June and it seemed to break the cycle of early morning waking. He had to sleep at the bottom of the bed whilst we were away (we were in a caravan) and it seemed to settle him. He didn't wake up until we did at about 7.30. Since we got home he's been the same. I removed the stair gate so he could come upstairs and although if I don't shut the bedroom door properly he will come in and sleep with us when it gets light, about 5or 6am, he usually settles outside the bedroom door and goes back to sleep. I feel a bit mean not letting him in but I don't want him sleeping with us permanently. I'm a really light sleeper and he disturbs me with his scratching and snoring.

Thanks to everyone for your comments

That's an interesting update. Exactly what happened to us, had to have the dog with us when we were away and basically she got up when we did. We've stuck with it as it's so much better than the 5 o'clock wake up call we used to get. Glad that things have settled down for you all.