When pain looks like 'bad' behaviour

How to make sure we’re treating the whole dog, not just the symptoms

Have you ever woken up with a blinding headache and found yourself snapping at everyone before breakfast? Most of us have, and afterwards we (hopefully) apologise and look for painkillers or drink that forgotten glass of water.

Dogs don’t have that luxury. When something hurts they can’t say, “Oi, my back’s killing me - give me a minute!” Instead, pain often slips out in other ways that quickly get labelled as behaviour issues.

Seeing it through their eyes

In 2012, I came off my bike and fractured my shoulder in three places. Two surgeries later, they managed to piece it back together, but the joint is permanently damaged. I’ve lived with chronic pain ever since: flare ups, stiffness in winter, aching compensation in other parts of my body. I’m constantly aware of that shoulder. I move differently. I avoid certain things. I get cranky when it’s bad. And I’ll eventually need a full joint replacement.

So when I see a dog who’s snappy, withdrawn, or reluctant to be touched, I get it. Pain changes how we interact with the world. It’s hard to learn, to be patient, to feel safe in your body when it’s hurting.

That’s why behaviour work, to be ethical and effective, has to look at the whole dog - not just the outward behaviour.

Dogs feel it too

I was reminded of this with a dachshund I worked with in London. I had known Daisy since was a puppy, and almost overnight she went from a happy-go-lucky dog to biting visitors in the home. The behaviour looked "aggressive," but her stiff gait and tight skin told another story. A vet exam and scan revealed a brewing spinal disc issue. Surgery plus good pain management and rehab turned her back into the cheeky and affectionate dog her family remembered.

My late dog Pedro also taught me a lot about the connection between pain and behaviour. He lost a leg early in life but had adapted brilliantly by the time he came to us. While he was speedy and agile, he was also incredibly stoic and had to work hard to compensate for his missing limb. As he aged, this became more challenging for him. He would tire easily, and revert to previously "resolved" behaviours, such as barking at other dogs. Whenever we introduced an intervention - pain medication, warmer coats in winter, regular canine massage - the change was noticeable. He would he lighter, brighter, and more himself.

Pedro wasn’t being difficult. He was telling us he was uncomfortable.

Being a tripaw didn't stop Pedro from living his best life, but pain and mobility were always kept front of mind

Why pain flies under the radar

• Dogs can be stoic. In evolutionary terms, showing pain is not a good survival strategy. By the time they start limping, they’ve probably been hurting for a while.

• Behaviour gets blamed. Growling or snapping feels like "bad manners," so we rush to fix it instead of getting curious.

• Subtle signs get missed. A slightly slower sit or sleeping more can be dismissed as laziness, not hip disease. Jumping up or tail-chasing may be seen as "naughty" rather than a sign of discomfort.

• Normalising age. “He’s just getting old” becomes shorthand for aches we’d fix in a heartbeat for ourselves.

  
  

Common pain culprits that affect behaviour

Body area	Typical conditions	How it can show up
Spine and joints	IVDD, arthritis, hip/elbow dysplasia, cruciate tears	Sudden irritability, reluctance to jump or go on walks, stiff posture
Mouth and jaw	Dental disease, fractured teeth, TMJ pain	Guarding toys/food, face rubbing, backing away from touch
Ears	Chronic otitis, grass seeds	Head-shy reactions, growling when collar touched
Skin	Allergies, hot spots, insect stings	Restlessness, snapping at touch, constant licking
Gut	Pancreatitis, food intolerance, ulcers	Pacing at night, resource guarding food, excessive licking
Endocrine (hormonal) and neurological	Hypothyroidism, seizures, headaches	Generalised anxiety, sudden fearfulness

(*Not an exhaustive list, but a solid start for red-flag spotting.)

Red flags that indicate "this might hurt"

• Changes in posture or movement

  • Sloppy sitting (legs splayed or one leg sticking out)

  • Frequent stretching (can signal gut discomfort)

  • Frequent pacing (same-side legs moving together)

  • Awkward or altered gait - limping, skipping steps, or stiff movement

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

    
    

• Sensitivity or reactivity

  • Increased jumpiness or startle responses

  • Barking or reacting to dogs/people they were once fine with

  • Growling or moving away from touch

  • Avoidance or sudden dislike of harnesses, collars, or leads

    
    

• Toileting and digestion changes

  • New accidents in the house

  • Difficulty holding posture to toilet (e.g. walking and pooing at the same time, rather than squatting and fully emptying)

  • Stinky, sloppy poos, or dry, chalky ones

  • Frequent gas or bad breath

    
    

• Energy and mood shifts

  • More withdrawn or clingy than usual

  • Restless at night or avoiding sleep

  • Seems “off” or not quite themselves

  • Sudden grumpiness or snappiness

  
  

Senior dogs: slowing down ≠ inevitable suffering

Yes, older dogs nap more and sprint less, but age isn’t a diagnosis. If your grandma suddenly started limping, we wouldn’t shrug and say, “Ah well, must be her age.” We’d book her in for a check-up. Your grey-muzzled mate deserves the same courtesy. Regular vet checks, weight management, supplements, and pain meds can keep them comfy and engaged well into their sunset years.

Where dog trainers fit in (and where we don’t)

• We understand the connection between pain and behaviour, and we’re always mindful of how discomfort might be showing up in a dog’s actions.

• We’re spotters, not diagnosticians. A good trainer keeps one eye on movement and posture, flagging anything odd.

• We build behaviour plans that allow for rest and recovery rather than pushing a sore body past its limits.

• We work closely with vets who take pain seriously, because treating discomfort first often melts away the "bad" behaviour.

• We stay in our lane. Be cautious of trainers who diagnose conditions or recommend medications. That’s a job for your vet.

• And just as importantly, be wary of anyone who jumps straight to ‘fixing’ behaviours without asking questions about your dog’s health, history, and lifestyle. Behaviour doesn't exist in a vacuum.

  
  

What to do if you're concerned about pain

1. Film your dog trotting towards and away from you on level ground. Any hip sway, skip, or head bob? Worth a vet chat.

2. Track behaviour changes in a diary. “Grumpy after long walks” or “avoids stairs on cold days” are gold nuggets for your vet.

3. Ask for pain relief trials if you suspect soreness. A safe, short course of anti-inflammatories can be diagnostic in itself.

4. Stay on top of weight. Every extra kilo equals extra strain on joints and spine.

5. Be mindful of high-impact activities. Repetitive ball chasing, leaping in and out of cars, or running on slippery surfaces can all contribute to pain and injury over time.

6. Consider bodywork pros: physio and massage therapists who work under vet referral.

All Dogs Are Good focuses on the whole dog. That means looking beyond surface behaviours to understand what’s really going on - whether it’s emotional overwhelm, physical discomfort, or a bit of both. Training plans are built at a pace that respects each dog’s body, brain, and boundaries. Because training isn’t about control. It’s about support.