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Is your Dog in pain?​​

Warning Signs and the Behaviour of Chronic Pain and Dog Arthritis

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If you notice any of the following warning signs in your dog, you may be able to detect the onset of dog arthritis and take steps of early intervention:

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  • Reluctance to play, walks, climbs stairs or jump

  • Yelping or whimpering when touched

  • Lagging behind on walks

  • Limping

  • Difficulty rising from a resting position

  • Stiffness when rising from rest

As with humans, pain has a major influence upon mood and the temperament in dogs, and some animals will show this as aggression.

 

Behavioural changes associated with pain in dogs include:

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  • Avoidance behaviors

  • Changes in social behaviour

  • Any new behaviour that is self-protective

  • Restlessness

  • Weakness

  • The dog responds slowly to verbal commands

  • Listlessness

  • Body stiffening and staring

  • Growling

  • Snapping

  • Biting​

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*If your dog displays any of these behavioural changes, it is most likely in pain and will need to see a vet as soon as possible for some pain relief and advice.

Safety with Humans​

​The warning signs
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​Dogs cannot speak to us but their body language can tell us a great deal. Dogs will tell you if it is uncomfortable in a situation you or with a child. As a parent and/or dog owner it is up to you to educate yourself and your children so that you all know what the dog might be feeling. Learning about dog body language and emotion and developing empathy for dogs is a great way to help improve your relationship with your dog.

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A dog may indicate that it wants to be left alone by:

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  • Showing you its teeth and growling

  • Backing away

  • Wagging its tail slowly and stiffly from side to side or raising its tail over its back

  • Its eyes are wide open and staring

  • The hair on its neck and back is standing up

  • Putting it’s ears back

  • Lowering it’s head

Take Responsibility

By deciding to own a pet you have taken responsibility for an animal and it is up to the individual owners to learn how to communicate with their pets so they are safe and are not a danger to other animals or people. Socialisation is a must with dogs and the earlier you start the better.

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Educate your family on what dogs need
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Take a positive approach to teaching your kids about dogs and reinforce the importance of respecting a dogs own space.

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  • ✅ Be calm, respectful & gentle around dogs.

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  • 🚫 Never approach a dog that is:

  • Sleeping, eating, or chewing a bone

  • Playing with toys

  • Sick, injured, or in its bed/kennel/car/ute

  • Tied up, behind a fence, or with puppies

  • Fighting or play-fighting

  • Unfamiliar and not with its owner.

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   If a dog approaches you:
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  • Stand still, stay calm, and don’t run

  • Be quiet, keep your arms by your sides, look away

  • Wait for the dog to leave, then tell an adult

  • If knocked over, curl into a ball and stay still.

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  Before patting a dog:

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  • Always ask the owner first

  • Let the dog sniff the back of your hand (fingers curled)

  • If it backs away, don’t pat

  • If it’s relaxed, pat gently under the chin or chest - never on the head or nose

Types of Aggression in Dogs

Understanding why a dog is aggressive is the first step to changing the behavior.

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Common types of aggression:

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  • Territorial - Defending their space (home, bed, car).

  • Possessive - Protecting food, toys, or people.

  • Protective - Guarding family members or other pets.

  • Defensive/Fearful - Striking first out of fear or self-protection.

  • Social - Trying to dominate other dogs or people.

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Aggression can be triggered when:

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  • Hugging or picking up a dog

  • Bathing, grooming, or nail clipping

  • Taking food or toys away

  • Disturbing a sleeping dog

  • Touching sensitive areas like ears or feet

  • Pulling harshly on the collar or speaking harshly

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Sadly, many dogs are euthanised due to aggression - but often it’s avoidable. Chronic pain, like arthritis, is a common hidden cause of aggression, so it’s vital to watch for pain signs and seek veterinary help early.

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