Why Behaviour Changes May Signal Pain

We’ve heard it many times:

• “My dog has never behaved like this.”

• “My dog is SUDDENLY doing this.”

• “This is unusual behaviour for my dog!”

When these things occur, our first reaction is often to assume our dog needs stricter training or that they’re being “naughty.”
But perhaps we need to consider another possibility: undiagnosed pain that results in uncharacteristic behaviour or what we perceive as misbehaviour.

First Step: Rule Out Medical Causes

As a qualified behaviourist (Courtney), one of the first things I establish when someone approaches me about their dog showing new or problematic behaviour is: When was their last thorough veterinary check-up?

• If it has been a long time, the first step is a vet visit.

• If no issues are found but pain is still suspected, then a veterinary physiotherapy consult is the next step.
  Veterinary physiotherapists can often detect subtle niggles, ensuring that all bases are covered.

Physio Insight in Understanding Pain in Dogs (Léa)

Pain in dogs can be subtle, complex, and easily overlooked. As a veterinary physiotherapist, I want to shed light on how to recognise, understand, and manage pain in our canine companions

Pain is the body’s way of telling us something is wrong. In dogs, it may be:

• Acute (sudden, short-term, e.g., after an injury)

• Chronic (long-term, ongoing, e.g., arthritis)

Dogs can’t say, “My back hurts,” so they show pain through behaviour and body language.

Signs of Pain to Watch For:

• Reluctance to jump, climb stairs, or go for walks

• Stiffness when getting up from rest

• Changes in posture (arched back, tucked tail, uneven weight-bearing)

• Reduced enthusiasm for play or training

• Behavioural shifts – more withdrawn, irritable, or reactive

• Licking or chewing a particular body area

If you notice these signs, seek professional advice. The sooner pain is managed, the better the outcome.

Pain and Behaviour (from a Behaviourist’s Perspective)

Dogs are incredibly skilled at masking pain, and owners often miss the subtle signs. One of the first indicators of pain can be a behaviour change.

• Many “behavioural issues” (aggression, anxiety, reactivity) may actually stem from discomfort.

• Pain lowers tolerance thresholds: a normally social dog may become defensive if they anticipates pain.

• “Out of character” bites usually have a medical basis.

A dog in pain may also:

• Struggle to concentrate or learn new cues

• Refuse or avoid performing known behaviours (e.g., jumping, sitting, climbing stairs) not from defiance, but discomfort

This applies to all ages - even an 8-month-old puppy with undiagnosed hip dysplasia may show pain-driven behavioural issues.

Behaviour Changes Over Time

Pain-related changes can progress gradually:

• Altered posture, gait, or reluctance to move can slowly reshape a dog’s personality.

• Owners may attribute these changes to “ageing” or “stubbornness” when in fact the dog is coping with chronic pain.

Chronic pain also raises stress hormones, creating a cycle:

• More anxiety and reactivity

• Reduced emotional resilience

• Pain and stress feed into each other

What About Inflammation? (from a Physiotherapist’s Perspective)

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or strain. While protective in the short term, chronic inflammation creates a vicious cycle:

Pain → reduced movement → stiffness and swelling → more pain

Image by CoachAmyPT https://www.coachamypt.com/blog/2019/12/9/inflammation-part-two-how-to-break-the-vicious-cycle-of-chronic-inflammation

Signs of Inflammation:

• Pain – sensitivity when touched, reluctance to use a limb

• Heat – affected area feels warm

• Swelling – visible or subtle in joints or tissues

• Redness – sometimes noticeable in light-coated dogs

Causes of Pain & Inflammation

• Orthopaedic issues: arthritis, hip/elbow dysplasia, cruciate ligament injuries

• Soft tissue injuries: sprains, strains, muscle tears

• Neurological causes: spinal issues causing nerve pain

• Surgical recovery: healing tissues often become inflamed

• Every day wear and tear: common in active or older dogs

Breaking the Cycle: Physio & Behaviour Combined

As behaviourists, we must recognise when pain may be driving a problem and refer for veterinary assessment. Effective behaviour modification is only possible once underlying medical issues are addressed.

As physiotherapists, the goal is to break the cycle of pain and inflammation through:

• Manual therapy

• Therapeutic exercise

• Electrotherapy

• Owner-led home care

Together, this approach reduces discomfort, improves mobility, lowers stress, and supports long-term well-being.

Key Takeaway

• Always rule out pain or medical causes before labelling a behaviour as a “problem.”

• Addressing pain often leads to dramatic improvements in behaviour and quality of life — sometimes the problem behaviour disappears entirely.

  
  

This guide was created in collaboration between Courtney Cuthbert (DipCABT, DH5 Sasseta, PSIRA, Diploma in Canine Behaviour and Training – Petsense College 2022, Echotrack K9 Training Solution) and Léa Bestel (BSc Veterinary Physiotherapy – Equine Librium College 2024, Second Stride Veterinary Physiotherapy).

Together, we bring expertise in canine behaviour and veterinary physiotherapy to help dogs live happier, healthier lives.