maybe he's in pain..
Research into the link between physical discomfort and behaviour problems in animals is in its infancy but in 2020 and 2023, two huge and important studies were carried out by Professor Daniel Mills which found that up to 80% of behaviour cases had pain either as the root cause of the behaviour problem or it was, at least, a significant contributing factor.
So, as Behaviourists, we know the link is there and it’s real and, therefore, it often falls to us to advocate for our dogs and pick up on signs they may be suffering.
Science tells us the ‘networks for pain’ in the brain are highly complex, highly individual, and can change in different contexts. What we do know is that behavioural expressions of discomfort do not always present in the ways we might think.
A dog in pain doesn’t always limp or yelp. They may not express any discomfort during a clinical examination by the vet, either.
We have to look for other signs and often, the signs are behavioural.…
Red flags that indicate potential discomfort are:
A change in behaviour for, seemingly, no apparent reason – It might be that they start doing something new/different (reacting to other dogs, snapping at you etc). It might be that they stop doing something (getting in the car, going upstairs, or stopping on walks etc). You might find them becoming ’stubborn’ and refusing to do things that they were previously ok with.
A generalisation of a behaviour e.g. a dog used to just bark at the doorbell going but is now barking much more and at other things – the behaviour is spreading to other areas.
An intensification of behaviour e.g. a dog might have always struggled a bit around other dogs but now the behaviour has escalated / intensified for no apparent reason. Or, it has generalised and the dog is now ‘reactive’ to lots of things. Or maybe the dog has always been a little touch-sensitive but is now seemingly aggressive when you go to groom, wipe paws, or even just stroke them.
New noise sensitivities or worsening of existing noise sensitivities
New sensitivity to touch or worsening of existing sensitivities.
A dog who is seemingly ‘on the go’ all the time and struggles to settle
A dog who is described as ‘demanding’, ‘attention-seeking’, or ‘clingy’
The guardian has ‘tried everything’ in terms of training for an issue but the training either hasn’t worked, or the results are short-lived, or there’s an improvement but the dog can still be unpredictable.
Anti-anxiety medication was trialled and it didn’t make a difference.
red flags
listen up!
But I can often hit a brick wall with guardians when I mention physical discomfort might be the missing part of the puzzle and that’s because there are lots of myths around what a dog in pain looks like.
Here’s what I hear guardians saying to me:
“Oh no, my dog isn’t in pain because she tears around the park playing with other dogs…”
“No, honestly, he’s not in pain – he can chase a ball for hours…”
“But he’s always really happy to go for a walk…”
“She tears up and down the stairs like a lunatic…”
“He’s on the go all the time…”
myth buster:
Exercise and play releases adrenaline and endogenous opioids. Both of these have lovely pain-reducing effects, making a dog feel GREAT. In fact, some dogs will often seek out play/exercise in order to self-medicate. This is also where the ‘clinginess’ or ‘attention-seeking’ comes in – cuddles and fuss make you feel better, or the guardian gives the dog something to do which helps distract them and take their mind off the pain for a while. In terms of being ‘on the go’ all the time, pain causes changes to arousal leading to a dog who is seemingly ‘busy’ all the time.
other things i hear:
“No, I don’t think he’s in pain – he’s just being stubborn…” I hear this one A LOT…- He just refuses to get in the car
He stops and sits/lies down if we’re not going the way he wants
She’ll lie down and won’t budge because she doesn’t want to go home
myth buster:
No. Your dog is not being ‘stubborn’. Something is going on for them. Yes, it might be a worry/anxiety thing – maybe they had a bad experience near those woods, or they were scared by a loud lorry on that road previously. BUT it also might be because they’re hurting and need to rest. Those pain-relieving chemicals have worn off and now everything is a bit ouchy – I just need to stop for a bit.
and more...
And then the other things I hear a lot…
“Oh he’s not in pain – all terriers skip on their back leg – it’s a breed thing…”
“Oh she’s fine – all Frenchies have a weird sit – it’s just a Frenchy thing…”
“No, he’s not in pain – it’s just the Golden Retriever hip wiggle…”
“Oh I don’t think she’s in any pain, she’s always done that…”
Yes, certain issues are common in certain breeds but just because it’s common, it doesn’t mean a) it’s normal or b) your dog isn’t in pain.
so in conclusion
Neither you, I, nor the vet get to say that a dog isn’t experiencing some discomfort. The only one who can tell you that they hurt is the dog and they don’t have the luxury of taking some ibuprofen or paracetamol.
They can’t book themselves in for a massage or physio, or make an appointment to see a GP.
Instead, they compensate for their discomfort by making subtle alterations to how they walk, run, sit, perform their daily activities like eating or going upstairs etc. These alterations are not obvious to the untrained eye. They’re not even obvious to a Vet.
Sometimes, more obvious signs (like limping) can occur but they might go away on their own after a couple of days, leaving you to think that it must just have been a pulled muscle, and now they’re fine. Or maybe you have noticed something – the odd quirk now and then but there’s nothing you can really put your finger on and the vet has given them the ‘all clear’.
Where we often start to notice something is wrong is we see a change in behaviour. Enter a Movement MOT / Dynamic Dog Assessment.
Dynamic Dog/ Movement MOT FAQs
Most frequent questions and answers
The proper name for a Movement MOT is a Dynamic Dog Assessment. It’s a process involving an in-depth investigation into a dog’s posture, gait and movement to identify any subtle changes or abnormalities that might indicate underlying physical discomfort.
It is a 4 stage process – Step One: The Deep Dive… A 90 minute online in-depth consultation with the guardian that also covers advice and guidance on how to collect the required footage. Step Two: Data Gathering… The guardian is left to collect all the necessary photos and videos that I need for my analysis and sends everything to me via WhatsApp. It’s quite possible to collect anywhere in the region of 80-200 photos and videos! There are clear instructions to help them do this so we can get the best possible evidence for me to analyse. If the guardian is located near me, I can help with some of the video-taking. This bit will take about 3 weeks. Step Three: Analysis of Data and Report Writing… Once I have received all the footage, I will then analyse every element of footage, honing in on areas that indicate pain or discomfort. Photos will be marked up, videos edited and annotated, and a detailed Report (including the photographic and video evidence) will be written for the Vet. Step Four: Follow-Up Consultation… Once I have completed the Report, there is a further 45 minute Zoom consultation to discuss my findings and chat about next steps. I will continue to liaise with the guardians, their Vet and any other members of their dog’s care team to ensure we get the best possible result for the dog.
I am a COAPE Animal Behaviourist (CCAB); ISCP Level 6 Advanced Canine Practitioner (ISCP Adv.Canine.Prac); Dynamic Dog Practitioner; ProDog Trainer (Absolute Dogs). I achieved all qualifications at Distinction level and often at the top of the class. I am a member of ICAN, CABTi, UK Dog Behaviour & Training Charter, and the Association of Dynamic Dog Practitioners – all of these organisations require that I undertake regular annual CPD to ensure my knowledge remains up to date and relevant.
Movement MOTs can be done completely remotely so I can work with you wherever you are in the U.K.
CONTACT
I’d be happy to answer any questions you have.
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Holidays)
Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 12.30pm – 7.30pm
Wednesday: 12.30pm – 7.30pm
Thursday: 12.30pm – 7.30pm
Friday: 12.30pm – 4.30pm
Saturday: 12.30pm – 4.30pm
info@sohelpmedog.co.uk
Please tell me a little about your dog and give a brief outline of the struggles you are currently experiencing, if applicable. Please let me know your postcode so I can see if you are in my catchment area.