Signs Your Dog Is in Pain: How Hidden Discomfort Shows Up as Behaviour Problems

When behaviour is a clue. Understanding the link between pain and behaviour in dogs

Has your dog's behaviour changed lately?

Maybe they've become more reactive on walks. Perhaps they're suddenly reluctant to go up stairs, or they've started growling when you reach to pet them. You might have noticed they're avoiding activities they used to love, or they seem ‘grumpy’ for no apparent reason.

It's easy to assume it's a training issue, or that they're being stubborn, or that it's just their personality. But what if I told you that behaviour changes are often one of the earliest signs that something physical is going on, long before the limping or obvious injury appears?

In fact, pain and musculoskeletal discomfort are some of the most commonly overlooked causes of behaviour challenges in dogs.

If you’re already wondering whether this might apply to your dog, I’ve put together a free guide - Could Your Dog Be In Pain? - that walks through common behavioural and physical signs in more detail, along with a simple observation worksheet.

As a canine therapist and behaviour consultant, I see this pattern constantly: dogs being labelled as difficult, stubborn, or unpredictable when really, they're hurting. Let's talk about how pain shows up in behaviour, what signs to watch for, and what you can do to support your dog.

Behaviour is communication (not disobedience 🙄)

Something that’s crucial to understand: dogs can't tell us that their shoulder aches or that sitting on a hard surface is uncomfortable. They show us through their behaviour.

Sometimes it's subtle. Maybe they hesitate before jumping in the car, or take longer to get up to respond to your call. Other times, it looks more dramatic: snapping when touched, becoming reactive to other dogs, or even refusing to walk.

The trouble is, we often only notice when the behaviour becomes problematic - by which I mean, problematic to us. By then, the pain may have been present for weeks, months, or even years.

Pain doesn't just affect the body. It affects mood, stress tolerance, learning ability, and confidence. Just like us, dogs in pain can become irritable, anxious, or less tolerant of things they normally handle well. Imagine trying to focus at work with a pounding headache, or dealing with your usual responsibilities while nursing a sore back. You'd be less patient, more snappy (reactive), and probably want people to just leave you alone, right?

Your dog probably feels the same way.

Pain in dogs: the silent saboteur

Dogs are remarkably good at hiding pain. It's a survival instinct. This ability to mask discomfort means that by the time we notice obvious signs like limping, the problem has often been developing for quite some time.

But, here's what many people don't realise or overlook: dogs can appear active, energetic, and enthusiastic while still being in pain. They can run, jump, play, chase balls, and even compete in sports. And still be uncomfortable.

Why? Because dogs have four legs, which means they can subtly shift weight away from sore areas and keep functioning. They're also highly motivated to do the things they love (or that we ask of them), and will often work through significant discomfort to please us or participate in activities they're driven to do.

This compensation is both impressive and distressing, once you understand it. It means pain can go unnoticed for years.

Why pain gets missed

Pain is commonly missed during routine veterinary checks, too. A short appointment in a small, unfamiliar consulting room doesn't always allow subtle movement changes to show up. Dogs may be tense, fearful, or highly aroused. Slippery floors or limited space further mask how they move in everyday life.

As veterinary behaviourist Sarah Heath observes, “it is virtually impossible to detect chronic pain in a veterinary clinic consult room” The challenges of recognising chronic pain (Covey-Crump, Veterinary Practice, 2018)

The absence of obvious lameness does not mean the absence of pain.

How pain shows up in behaviour

Not every dog in pain will limp or cry out. In fact, those obvious signs often come late in the game. Instead, pain frequently manifests as behaviour changes that get misinterpreted as training problems or personality quirks.

Common behavioural signs of pain

1. Changes in reactivity or tolerance

Sudden reactivity to other dogs, people, or situations that didn't bother them before. Being more on edge or easily startled. Snapping or growling when touched. Less tolerance for handling, grooming, or even affection.

2. Avoidance behaviours

This might look like reluctance to go on walks, stopping frequently during walks, or avoiding stairs and jumping into the car. Maybe they hesitate before movements they used to do easily, or they're suddenly choosing unusual resting places.

3. Training difficulties

Seeming stubborn or slow to respond to known cues. Difficulty sitting, lying down, or holding positions. Regression in previously learned behaviours. Appearing distracted or not ‘listening’ (spoiler: they're listening!)

4. Social and mood changes

Some dogs withdraw from family members or the other pets in the home. Others become more clingy. They might avoid interactions with other dogs or become more reactive to them. They seem less engaged, less playful, less enthusiastic. Or, they're over-aroused and more frantic during play (yes, this can be a pain sign too). Generally, they're just not quite themselves.

5. Physical comfort issues

Restlessness and constantly changing positions. Difficulty settling or changes in sleep patterns. Panting when at rest (and they're not hot or stressed). Excessive licking or chewing at specific spots on their body.

These aren't diagnoses. They're red flags. They're your dog's way of saying something's not right. And while this list covers many common signs, every dog is different, and this is not an exhaustive list.

Recognising these signs is the first step. If you want a more comprehensive checklist you can work through at your own pace, I've created a free guide with detailed observation worksheets to help you track patterns and prepare for vet appointments.

But for now, let's talk about what often gets missed...

What often gets mislabelled

Some of the phrases I hear most often from frustrated guardians are:

He knows what to do. He's just not listening.
She's suddenly aggressive. For no reason.
He's always been a bit moody, that's just his personality.
He's being stubborn.
She's dominant.

Dogs don't act out for the heck of it.

They don't guard stairs because they're power-hungry, or refuse to sit because they're testing you. There's always a reason. And often, that reason is physical discomfort. When we mislabel pain-driven behaviour, we risk responding in ways that increase stress and frustration. 

He's always been like that

This phrase deserves special attention because it's so common. And so often a clue to long-standing pain.

Sometimes, a dog has always behaved a certain way because they have always been uncomfortable. Dogs can struggle with musculoskeletal issues from a very young age, even as puppies. As they grow up, people assume it's just who they are, because musculoskeletal problems aren't typically considered in young dogs.

Common doesn't mean normal, and normal doesn't mean right. 

Just because many dogs display certain behaviours doesn't mean those behaviours aren't rooted in discomfort.

When we label dogs as stubborn, aggressive, or dramatic, we miss the opportunity to help them. These assumptions can delay care and make the underlying problem - and the behaviour - worse.

Physical signs that accompany behaviour changes

While behaviour changes are often the first sign guardians notice, there are usually physical signs happening alongside them. Sometimes these signs show up together, sometimes in isolation.They're often subtle. Learning to spot these can help you connect the dots.

Watch for

Postural changes

• Hunched back or tucked tail
• Standing with hind legs positioned under the body rather than naturally behind
• Leaning more heavily on one side
• Frequent weight shifting

Movement patterns

• Getting up slowly or stiffly
• Always using the same leg first when standing
• Taking longer to lie down or fidgeting before settling
• Head bob when moving

Asymmetry

• Sitting or lying on the same side consistently
• Sitting crooked rather than square
• One hind leg positioned differently when lying down
• Muscle development that's bigger on one side than the other
• Coat swirls, patterns, or areas where fur sticks up

Gait and paw placement

• Paws pointing outward or inward rather than tracking straight ahead
• Uneven stride or skipping steps
• Paw pads worn unevenly
• Nails scuffed or worn more on certain toes

These signs suggest your dog is compensating, using their body in ways that minimise discomfort. And compensation, over time, creates its own problems as other parts of the body take on extra strain.

So, what can you do?

If something feels off, trust that instinct. You know your dog best. Even if you can't quite put your finger on what's changed, that feeling matters.

Start here

1. Observe and document

Pay attention to your dog's behaviour and movement over several days or weeks. Look for patterns:

• When do the behaviour changes happen? 
• Are there good days and bad days?
• What specific movements seem difficult?
• How do they position their body when sitting, standing, or lying down?

Take videos and photos. Movement changes can be subtle, and having video to review (or share with professionals) is incredibly valuable.

2. Book a thorough veterinary examination

Share your observations with your vet. Be specific about what you've noticed and when. Don't be afraid to advocate for further investigation if you feel something isn't right.

Remember that a standard appointment may not be long enough to see subtle issues, so you might need to request additional time or a specific lameness evaluation.

3. Consider a gait and posture assessment

Small changes in movement and posture can reveal underlying discomfort long before more obvious symptoms appear. A professional assessment can help identify mobility issues, muscle imbalances, compensatory patterns, and early signs of pain that might be missed in a standard exam.

This is where I can help. I offer comprehensive gait and posture assessments that look at how your dog moves, where they're holding tension, and what their body is telling us about their comfort level.

4. Explore therapeutic support

Tight muscles, arthritis, past injuries, and compensatory patterns can all impact movement, behaviour, and training. Canine massage and targeted strength and mobility work can help dogs move more comfortably and address secondary issues that develop when dogs favour certain limbs.

Pain management isn't just about addressing the obvious injury site (I refer to rehab professionals for that). Often, it's the compensatory areas - the parts of the body working overtime to make up for the painful area - that cause the most discomfort.

5. Take a holistic approach

Pain and behaviour aren't separate categories. When we address both together, that's when we see lasting change. This might include:

• Veterinary care for diagnosis and pain management
• Mobility support through massage, physio/rehab, or fitness work
• Environmental modifications (you can read more about those in this blog)
• Behaviour support that takes physical limitations into account
• Training adjustments that work with your dog's body, not against it

6. Be patient with the process

Identifying and addressing pain isn't always straightforward. It takes observation, professional support, sometimes trial and error, and time. It's worth it.

The good news: there's so much we can do

Once pain is identified and addressed, behaviour can improve dramatically.

I've seen dogs go from withdrawn to joyful, reactive to relaxed. Just from getting the right care for their physical, emotional and behavioural health.

When dogs feel safe and comfortable in their bodies, they can engage with the world differently. Everything becomes easier. Relationships improve. Life gets better for everyone.

Early intervention makes the biggest difference. When conditions are found and addressed early, degeneration can be minimised. Dogs don't have to spend years in unmanaged pain, developing behavioural patterns rooted in self-protection.

You're not imagining things

If you're noticing changes in your dog, or if things just aren't adding up, you're not alone. And you're not overreacting.

Your instinct that something is off matters. Your dog can't advocate for themselves, so they need you to be curious, to ask questions, to push for answers when something doesn't feel right.

Behaviour is information. Movement is information. 

When we learn to listen to what our dogs are telling us through their actions and their bodies, we can give them the support they truly need.

Curious? Ready to learn more?

Download the free guide: Could Your Dog Be In Pain? covers all of these signs in detail, plus includes a comprehensive observation worksheet to help you track patterns and prepare for professional appointments.

Need personalised support? I work with dogs where health, pain, and behaviour overlap. Whether your dog is reactive, sensitive, showing unexplained behaviour changes, or simply not quite right, I can help you figure out what they're trying to tell you.

Services include:

• Gait and posture assessments
• Canine massage and mobility support
• Pain-aware behaviour consultations
• Holistic support that addresses the whole dog

Your dog has been communicating all along. Now you're learning their language.