Dogs don't necessarily show signs of pain. In fact, they often build up a tolerance to it, with some dogs able to endure long-term discomfort before they show any physical signs. 

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A dog experiencing chronic pain might express their discomfort through reactions to specific triggers, growling or snapping when touched or asked to move into a position they find uncomfortable. They may also be more sensitive to loud sounds or reluctant to go for walks. They may seem depressed or hyperactive.

 

Chronic pain can present in many different forms, and it's important to rule this out as a cause of any sudden behaviour change you may have noticed. 

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Has your dog been given a health check by your vet recently, and since the behaviour concern started? If not, I will ask you to book an appointment with your vet before a consultation takes place. We need to know that illness or pain are not causing or exacerbating the behaviour. Underlying medical conditions are frequently found to be contributing to behaviour concerns, and it is not fair to expect behaviour change if your dog is feeling uncomfortable or distressed.

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You will also need to inform your vet we will be working together - this is important for GDPR - allowing me to liase with them before or after our consultation. Please also ask your vet to complete the referral form found here. 

 

A vet check before the consultation is often helpful , but it's important to bear in mind that in some cases, this will not necessarily be enough to rule out pain as a contributing factor. Many overseas rescue dogs are fearful of vets and handling from strangers, which can lead to an increase in adrenaline. This can mask any chronic pain, making it very difficult for a vet to assess during a routine consultation. 

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If we suspect pain is at play, but that it may be masked during a routine vet check, we may need to take a deeper dive through gait assessment or with the support of a physiotherapist. You may be able to prepare the gait assessment videos yourself - a hands off view of your dog's movement and posture - to send to your vet for their feedback. 

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For a more comprehensive overview, there is also the option of a dynamic dog assessment, which helps your vet identify areas of concern, which can in turn help with diagnosis and treatment. These assessments are fully remote, looking at gait, posture, movement and sleep patterns. Should any concerns be identified, a report will be prepared and set to your vet who may decide to investigate further or start your dog on a pain trial.​

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