Night waking

Question
My almost 9 year old PBGV has recently refused to go out the last walk of the night and is waking us at about 4:40 or 5 AM to go out. Once out, my husband gives him two bones thinking he will go back to sleep. Sometimes he does, often he does not. Last week he was up all night and after going out and getting treats he still cried. We took him to the dr. who said he had a sore neck and put him on meds. He still continues to wake up and get us up.
HELP!! He is housebroken and is walked when he cooperates at least 3 time a day. Is this a sign he is getting old? Also we do not have windowshades in the room where he sleep and when the sun rises he seems to feel the need to ris e too!

Answer
Are you walking him on a leash? or letting him out in the back yard?
Either way here are a couple of suggestions
He may have to go out more often due to age, but the way he is acting I am thinking that his eyesight is failing and he cant see as well as night.
Encourage him to go out by giving him the treats while he is outside...This may encourage him to enter into a darkened area.
Also, if he is getting soreness due to old age, it may be worse in the evening when it is cooler, and so he may be avoiding going out for that reason.
Try the last walk a little earlier than usual.  Maybe that will help and give him the treats while he is on his walk instead of when he gets back.
You may want to ask your vet about duremax (not sure of the spelling)  but I understand it is wonderful for older dogs and their aching bones.
If this doesn't work, get back to me.
nancy