Could Pain Be Causing Your Dog’s Behaviour Change?

When a dog’s behaviour changes, it can be easy to assume they are being difficult, stubborn or simply getting older.

But behaviour does not happen in isolation.

Sometimes a change in behaviour may be one of the first signs that a dog is experiencing pain or physical discomfort.

That is why, before beginning a behaviour modification programme, I believe it is important to consider whether there could be a medical reason behind what we are seeing.

Pain Can Change Behaviour

I was fortunate enough to attend a talk by Professor Daniel Mills at the University of Lincoln.

Professor Mills is a veterinary behaviour specialist whose work has explored the relationship between physical health, pain and behaviour.

Research examining dogs referred for behavioural problems found that painful conditions were present in around a third of cases overall, while in some referral caseloads the figure was much higher — approaching 80%. (PubMed Central (PMC))

That does not mean that every behavioural problem is caused by pain.

But it does mean pain deserves serious consideration.

Behaviour Changes Can Be a Clue

Most of us recognise obvious signs that our dog may be unwell.

Vomiting, diarrhoea, limping or scratching at painful ears are fairly easy to spot.

Other signs can be much more subtle.

You might notice:

● a sudden reluctance to walk

● stiffness when getting up

● sitting differently

● an unusual gait

● reluctance to jump into the car or onto furniture

● becoming less tolerant of handling

● changes in sleep

● increased anxiety

● avoiding particular movements

● growling or snapping when this is out of character

● suddenly becoming worried in situations they previously coped with

Sometimes the behavioural change appears before an obvious physical sign.

This is why looking at the whole dog matters.

An Interesting Example From the Research

One case described in research involving Professor Mills concerned a dog referred because of anxiety and fear in several different situations.

During assessment, clinicians discovered that one of the dog’s lower canine teeth was causing injury inside the mouth. The dog also showed signs consistent with orthopaedic problems.

After the painful dental problem was treated and pain relief was introduced, some of the dog’s fear responses disappeared and others reduced. (PubMed Central (PMC))

It is a really useful example because, from the outside, the presenting problem appeared to be behavioural.

Looking deeper revealed that physical discomfort was an important part of the picture.

Why a Veterinary Check Matters

If a dog suddenly begins behaving differently, particularly if the change seems unusual for them, I would always want physical health considered.

A dog cannot tell us:

“My hip hurts today.”

“My tooth is painful.”

“Turning that way hurts my back.”

They communicate through changes in movement and behaviour.

And sometimes what appears to be reluctance, growling at other dogs or people, irritability, fear or even “stubbornness” can actually be a dog trying to avoid something that hurts.

Even if a particular movement or gait appears common within a breed, it should not automatically be dismissed if something concerns you. Researchers studying pain and behaviour specifically highlight the importance of investigating unusual gait and unexplained behavioural changes rather than assuming they are simply normal for that dog or breed. (PubMed Central (PMC))

Look Deeper Than “Stubborn”

This links closely with something I talk about frequently:

Rather than labelling behaviour, ask what might be causing it.

If a dog suddenly refuses to walk somewhere, we can call them stubborn.

Or we can ask:

Why has walking become difficult?

If a dog suddenly growls when touched, we can punish the growl.

Or we can ask:

Why has being touched become uncomfortable?

The label does not tell us very much.

Looking at the reason behind the behaviour does.

Behaviour and Health Go Together

Behaviour work should never exist completely separately from physical health.

Training can help dogs enormously, but training cannot remove pain.

If discomfort is contributing to a behaviour problem, we need to address that alongside any behavioural support.

So if something suddenly changes in your dog, trust your observations.

You know what is normal for them.

If something does not seem right, speak to your vet.

And if you remain concerned, it is reasonable to ask further questions or seek another professional opinion.

Our dogs rely on us to advocate for them.

Sometimes the most important thing we can do for behaviour is to stop asking:

“How do I make my dog stop doing this?”

and start asking:

“Why might my dog be doing this?”

Further reading

The research paper Pain and Problem Behavior in Cats and Dogs, involving Professor Daniel Mills and colleagues, explores the relationship between painful conditions and behavioural presentations in much greater detail.

I also attended Professor Mills’ talk through the University of Lincoln and found it extremely valuable in reinforcing just how closely physical health and behaviour can be linked.

About the author

I’m Maria, founder of Maria Canine Care and a qualified canine behaviour practitioner (Level 6), with years of hands-on experience working with dogs.

I write these blogs to share practical, evidence-informed advice, helping owners better understand their dogs and make informed decisions about their care and training.

Find out more about Maria Canine Care on my About page.