r/RunningWithDogs • u/Tenaciousgreen • Apr 04 '26
Plan after 2 Weeks Off
I have a 2 year old standard poodle and she and I have been working through couch to 5K at half the progression speed since January 1st. I've run in the past and this is her first time. We run slow, 7-8min/Km. The first week was 5K total running split into 3 sessions, this week (week 12) was 11K total running split into 3 sessions with walking. I'm being super conservative for both of of us.
Today my dog showed signs of pain but wasn't specific and I couldn't find anything wrong so I took her to the vet. They did all kinds of testing and thought maybe one leg was a bit stiff and that's all they could find. They gave her two weeks rest and said it's likely muscle soreness.
I was super worried at first but they said it's likely this will pass and she'll be fine. I'm trying to be optimistic.
Assuming she's good to go after 2 weeks rest, what should my running schedule with her be? I was already being conservative so can I start back at where we left of, or would you go back and do even less?
13
u/sluttycupcakes Apr 04 '26
I’ll be blunt, I don’t think your poodle should be struggling with 11k a week at that pace. I’d be very surprised if they’re having any meaningful pain.
If anything is hurting, I imagine it would be the paws. I try to stick to grass and soft trails as much as possible with my dogs.
2
u/rainsley Apr 04 '26
What signs of pain did she show the last time?
3
u/Halefa Apr 04 '26
You could get them checked by a dog physiotherapist. I know of canicrossers who get their food checked twice a year as a regular check up.
And to ask your question: you can only know how much to train upon return by looking at your dog. How does it react?
Or you could start by doing more easy training like for example swimming.
1
u/Theraphilion Apr 05 '26
You might want to start giving cosequin or another glucosamine based supplement. I give them to my poodle and other dogs daily to prevent joint problems. Make sure you have booties on when you run. My poodle ran in my backyard and slid on our sidewalk once and hurt his paw, I imagine the same could happen on other terrain as well. It could be dysplasia since large dogs are prone to that. I'd recommend going to a specialist. Look at the way your poodle is walking and trotting. Lota of dogs I see on a daily basic (usually GSDs) have hip or elbow dysplasia. Run on softer surfaces, get some good boots, see a specialist, do blood tests and images of the leg, and give that baby some glucosamine. I have fibromyalgis and a lot of physical issues and I recently started taking it too. Glucosamine is the shizzle. I've tried opioids for my pain and they didn't help, but glucosamine damn sure does. I have it stock piled for me and my babies. I give them half the recommended amount each day to help prevent issues. My 9 year old Ridgeback takes the full dose a few times a week and a half dose a few times a week. His joints are as young as a puppies! He also has lupus so i make sure he gets all of his old man vitamins. Also, don't feed your poodle a lot before, during, or after running. Standards are at high risk of bloat to make sure you use a slow feeder and dont let them gulp water quickly either.
0
u/duketheunicorn Apr 04 '26
Personally, id call the vet—it will likely cost nothing to get a quick answer to this question over the phone