Hidden Pain in Dogs: Behaviour Myths That Stop Dogs Getting the Help They Need

If you work with dogs long enough, you start to notice a pattern: many behaviour problems have a physical component. As a dog behaviourist/behaviour consultant working with anxious, reactive, and rescue dogs, I see cases where behaviour changes are a sign that something in the body isn’t right VERY often.

Pain in dogs is widely under recognised. Not because vets or guardians don’t care, but because several persistent myths about pain make it easy to overlook. These myths can delay diagnosis, prevent dogs from receiving appropriate treatment, and lead us to believe that our dog simply has a “behaviour problem”.

One of the most common misconceptions is that behaviour problems are purely training issues and therefore don’t require veterinary investigation. This idea conflicts with what we know from the biobehavioural model of pain, which recognises that physical health and behaviour are interconnected. In reality, behaviour changes are often one of the primary reason dogs are taken to the vet.

Lameness, reluctance to walk, irritability, hyperactivity and inability to settle, poor appetite, digestive issues, or reactivity are all behavioural symptoms of something happening in the body.

Myth 1: “If My Dog Was in Pain, They Would Cry or Limp”

Dogs are incredibly good at masking pain (or maybe we are not so great at reading it, but that's for another time!). Many painful conditions do not produce obvious signs like yelping or dramatic lameness.

Instead, the changes may be subtle:

• Slight stiffness after rest

• Reduced tolerance for handling

• Avoiding certain movements

• Changes in posture or gait

• Increased reactivity around other dogs or people

  
  

Even when signs like lameness exist, they may be mild enough to be dismissed as insignificant. However, low grade discomfort can still significantly affect a dog’s behaviour and emotional state (infact it can make major changes in their brain).

Myth 2: “The Vet Didn’t Find Anything on the Scan”

Diagnostic imaging such as X-rays or scans can be extremely helpful, but not all painful conditions show up on imaging. For example, muscular pain, soft tissue strain, or myofascial pain may not appear clearly on standard diagnostic imaging. Even when mild structural abnormalities are visible, they may sometimes be dismissed as insignificant despite potentially contributing to discomfort. Other conditions require very advanced imaging, like a dynamic MRI, to diagnose the problem. Pain assessment therefore often requires looking at the whole dog: movement patterns, posture, behaviour, and response to treatment.

Myth 3: “That Condition Isn’t Painful”

Some medical conditions are mistakenly assumed to be painless unless surgery is required. In reality, many common health issues can cause significant chronic discomfort.

Examples include:

• Luxating patella (kneecap instability)

• Angular limb deformities (bending of the bones)

• Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye)

• Otitis externa (ear infections)

• Atopic dermatitis (allergic skin disease)

• Inflammatory bowel disease

Sometimes these conditions become so common in certain breeds that they are seen as “normal”. But common does not mean comfortable.

Myth 4: “He Still Runs Around Like a Puppy, So It Can’t Be Pain”

Dogs often continue to do activities they love even when they are uncomfortable. Highly motivated behaviours such as chasing squirrels, playing fetch, or greeting people can temporarily override pain. Many dogs actually become MORE active because of pain (I know, it's difficult to wrap your head around. Think of like it like: if a limb is sore, moving means you take the weight off of it quicker so you have to keep moving!)

This is why guardians often say things like: “He can’t be in pain, he still plays with his ball.”

But motivation WILL mask discomfort. Many dogs will push through pain to engage in rewarding activities, especially if those activities are part of their daily routine.

Myth 5: “Young Dogs Can’t Have Chronic Pain”

Another common assumption is that pain is only an issue for older dogs. In reality, young dogs can experience significant discomfort from conditions such as:

• Developmental orthopaedic disease

• Joint instability

• Congenital spinal abnormalities

• Early onset osteoarthritis

Because young dogs are expected to be energetic and active, subtle abnormalities in movement or behaviour may be overlooked.

Myth 6: “Pain Is Just Part of Getting Old”

Ageing does increase the risk of degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis, but pain should never simply be accepted as an inevitable part of ageing. With modern veterinary medicine, many painful conditions can be managed effectively through:

• Analgesic medication

• Multimodal pain management

• Physiotherapy

• Weight management

• Exercise modification

• Omega 3 joint supplements

• Reducing jumping

• Non-slip rugs

Early identification and treatment can significantly improve quality of life.

Myth 7: “Pain Medication Didn’t Work, So It Can’t Be Pain”

Pain is complex. It can involve multiple mechanisms, including inflammatory pain, neuropathic pain, and musculoskeletal discomfort.

A single short course of medication may not produce obvious results, especially if:

• The wrong type of medication was used

• The dosage or duration was insufficient (8 weeks is the minimum)

• The pain requires a multimodal approach

Effective pain management often involves combining several strategies rather than relying on one medication alone.

This matters for behaviour problems because pin can significantly influence behaviour. Dogs experiencing chronic discomfort may show:

• Increased reactivity

• Aggression when handled

• Noise sensitivity

• Anxiety or hypervigilance

• Reduced tolerance for other dogs

• Difficulty settling or relaxing

In many cases, addressing the physical discomfort is a crucial part of improving the behaviour.

This is why ethical behaviour work always considers the dog’s physical health, emotional wellbeing, and environment together, rather than focusing solely on training.

Need Help With a Reactive or Anxious Dog?

At Whole Dog Behaviour, I specialise in helping dogs who are reactive, anxious, or struggling with behavioural challenges. My approach always considers the whole dog, including potential physical discomfort that may be affecting behaviour. If you're struggling with your dog’s behaviour and want compassionate, science based support, you can learn more about my dog behaviour consultations and training support on the website.

If you prefer a more self paced approach to training, I have just the thing you need! A resource hub with 100+ tutorials for less than the price of a cup of coffee a day. Try it here: Whole Dog Hub - 3 Day Free Trial

Always here to help,

Karolina