My 4yr old Standard Poodle groans and I'm not sure if I should be alarmed or if it is normal.  She groans when she gets up from a sleep, a soft, low groan, she then does a stretch, paws outstretched, bum in the air and yarns, groans the whole time doing this.  You will think I am mad but I think the groaning is getting worse and wondering if this is habit or maybe pain.  She is a very active dog, bounces everywhere (very common in breed) but I have noticed a slight 'waddle' after off lead running about. 

Being familiar with this breed I do think she is a little long in the back.  There is a small incident that looking back now I wonder if significant.  We had an extension built nearly 3 years ago, the initial floor was wooden sheets and I thought she was making a strange noise on it, like her hind nails were dragging as she walked, just a little skim but it was nail noise.  It was a moment then I didn't think of it again, however a few days later it had been raining, she came in with wet feet and there were drag lines after she imprinted with her hind feet. This all sounds a bit weird I am sure, but you may know what I mean.  Also when she is walking on carpet she makes a very distinct padding noise, like she is pushing her feet along.

I know I should probably have a vet look but the symptoms are just so vague.  So groaning, padding, waddling! 

I had exactly the same happen in a Bearded Collie.  It was something that I didn't really understand when the vet tried to explain to me.  I'm afraid that I found it all too complicated.

However, I felt awful for not  taking her sooner, because once he explained the dragging I knew that she'd had it for a while.  It just never registered until he explained it.  Yes, I'm guessing she's in pain, but only a vet can do a full examination.  A good vet will find it for you on examination.  I'm sure your explanation won't seem daft to a vet.

Thanks Jean for replying, do you remember what the problem was that your Beardie had?  I will take her to the vet, she has been a healthy dog that is full of energy but I know dogs are great at hiding pain and maybe she no longer hiding it.  My vet and my family will think I am mad as it's all very non specific.  She is insured so that is not a problem.  Thanks again

It might be worth a referral to a chiropractor after u have spoken to the vet

I think it was neurological.  Her messages didn't to be getting through to her brain.  I'm afraid it was explained to me way over my head and I can't remember what it was called.  I did discuss it with a large animal vet at work who had 'seen it a lot' according to him.  But he also confused me by calling it something different.  However my own vet sounded more positive.

It deteriorated very slowly until she used to collapse every so often.  She looked totally surprised to find herself laid down.  My vet said that was normal, as she wouldn't have had any warning.  I had a body belt for her, bought online, and if it happened on a walk I could help her get back on her feet.  It was like holding a very heavy shopping bag.  :-)  But once she got steady she got back home under her own steam. 

She got considerably slower over the years and I had to take her out alone for slow dawdles.  Then one Sunday morning her back legs just wouldn't hold her up long enough for her to have a poo up the garden.  She was so very upset.  I took her to the vet in the afternoon and held her while I said goodbye.  It's 2 years on 30th December and I'm sobbing as I type this.

Oh Jean I am so sorry, thank you so very much for having the courage to explain all of this to me.  It sounds like a very slow progression and I hope not too painful.  I am taking her to the vet and will of course report back what if any findings.  I mentioned it again to my husband last night that I didn't feel things were just 'right' with her and he thought I was totally mad, said she is full of beans and naughtiness as usual.  It would be difficult to see what I actually mean but it's a bit like a mother of a baby who instinctly knows there is something wrong with their baby.

I don't see any loss of power in her back end, she never had the same drive as our previous SP and I assumed just different breeding and not from direct show stock, our previous one had tremendous drive in her back legs.  I know I shouldn't compare dogs but it's hard not to.  She is longer in the back with different tail set so I always put it down to this.

Thank you again

I dont know what her problem is likely to be but i would definitely check with the vet. He may not be able to see anything wrong bt then again he might. My 9yo girl is having problems with her knee joint. Samples have been taken and are being looked at to see if she has a tumour. :( I had sort of noticed that something was slightly odd with her hind movement for a while but what ever it was was so slight that I was not even sure there was something to see. I didnt take her to the vet as I didn't want to waste their time and she has a real phobia of the vets but now I am wishing that i had asked the vet to look at her sooner.

>I don't see any loss of power in her back end,

No I understand that, but with my girl she started with the scraping of her nails on the back legs when she walked.  It was a good time before her back end went.