Behavioural pain assessment
Our Canine Behavioural Pain Assessment service uses expert evaluation techniques to identify and manage pain in dogs, ensuring they receive the care they need for optimal well-being. We work alongside your behaviourist and veterinarian to ensure the best possible care for your dog. We can perform this session completely hands-off if your dog needs space.
Scientific research has shown that pain in dogs is frequently the "hidden" driver behind common behavioural problems. A landmark review estimated that up to 80% of behavioural cases referred to specialists involve some form of undiagnosed pain (Mills et al., 2020).
Why is this assessment more expensive than a standard consultation?
The higher fee reflects the increased time and specialisation required for this service. Unlike a standard check-up, this is a deep-dive investigation into how physical discomfort influences your dog’s behaviour. It involves a longer appointment time, specialized visual analysis, and a more complex diagnostic process.
What extra value do I get for the £70 fee?
This service provides a collaborative care model. We don't work in isolation; the price includes the time taken to liaise with your referring behaviourist and your veterinarian. This ensures that the physical and emotional health of your dog are treated as one, leading to a more effective and cohesive treatment plan.
My dog is reactive/nervous; will this be a problem?
Not at all—in fact, that is exactly what this service is designed for. A significant portion of the fee covers our expertise in "hands-off" clinical observation. We can assess your dog’s gait, posture, and mobility from a safe distance without causing them stress, ensuring we get accurate data while keeping your dog feeling secure.
Why is the appointment longer?
Pain can be subtle and often hidden by a dog's adrenaline or "vet office masking." We allocate extra time to allow your dog to settle so we can observe their natural movements. This patience ensures we don't miss the small signals that a shorter, standard appointment might overlook.
We have helped dogs with pain associated with:
Noise reactivity
Reactivity towards dogs
Reactivity towards humans
Car chasing / Not wanting to go in car/ Worried whilst in car - and other car related issues
Pulling on the lead
Touch sensitivity
Resource guarding
Startle barking
PICA
Excessive licking
Separation anxiety
And other behavioural complaint associated with pain. We work WITH your vet and your behaviourist to create a plan that suits you.
No dog should live in pain. If your dog has started to do one of the above behaviours, have you had pain ruled out? If not this can be a good place to start.
My Approach is different and tailored to YOU and YOUR dog.
What to Expect: Our Behavioral & Physical Assessment
In many cases, behavioral challenges are closely linked to physical comfort. Our sessions take a holistic "whole-dog" approach. If a dog is fearful or reactive toward strangers, we conduct these sessions hands-off, observing from a distance to ensure your dog remains under their threshold and feels safe.
1. Environmental Optimisation
We analyze your dog’s living space to identify hidden stressors or physical triggers. Minor changes can lead to significant improvements in a dog’s emotional state.
Joint Support & Safety: Recommending rugs or runners for slick flooring to prevent slipping and repetitive micro-trauma.
Restorative Sleep: Assessing bed placement to ensure it is away from drafts, high-traffic "bottlenecks," or noise, allowing for undisturbed rest.
Ergonomics: Introducing raised feeders or adjusted water stations to reduce neck and spinal strain during daily routines.
2. Tailored Exercise Management
Not all exercise is created equal. We provide a customized activity plan based on your dog's specific breed, age, and underlying health conditions.
Burnout Prevention: Identifying if current exercise levels are over-stimulating or physically taxing.
Life-Stage Adjustments: Guidance on "Puppy Culture" movement for growing joints or gentle mobilisation for seniors.
Mental vs. Physical: Balancing physical exertion with enrichment to lower cortisol levels.
3. Comprehensive Gait Analysis
By observing how a dog moves, we can often spot signs of discomfort that manifest as "bad" behavior. We observe your dog in various states to get a full picture of their mobility:
Variable Paces: Watching the transition between a walk and a trot to check for "hitching" or pacing.
Surface Tension: Comparing movement on both soft and hard ground to identify sensitivity or neurological deficits.
Dynamic Observation: Watching the dog move in circles or figures-of-eight to assess lateral flexibility and weight distribution.
Scientific research has shown that pain in dogs is frequently the "hidden" driver behind common behavioural problems. A landmark review estimated that up to 80% of behavioural cases referred to specialists involve some form of undiagnosed pain (Mills et al., 2020).
Because dogs are evolutionarily programmed to mask acute physical weakness, pain often manifests as "personality" or "temperament" shifts rather than obvious limping.
1. The "Protective" Behaviors (Aggression & Reactivity)
Research published in MDPI Animals highlights that pain changes a dog's impulsivity threshold. When a dog is in pain, they are more likely to react without their typical restraint.
Touch Sensitivity: Snapping or growling when touched in specific areas, or even in anticipation of being touched.
New Onset Aggression: A sudden shift in behavior in a dog over the age of one with no prior history of reactivity.
Resource Guarding: Pain can make a dog feel vulnerable, leading them to guard their space or food more intensely to keep others at a distance.
2. Cognitive & Affective Shifts (Anxiety & Mood)
Chronic pain directly impacts the brain's emotional centers, often leading to a state of "negative cognitive bias."
Noise Sensitivity: A strong scientific link exists between musculoskeletal pain and fear of loud noises. Researchers (Fagundes et al., 2018) suggest this is because a "startle" response causes sudden muscle tension, which physically hurts a dog with underlying joint or back issues.
Altered Social Interaction: Research indicates that painful dogs often become "clingy" (seeking security) or, conversely, socially withdrawn and apathetic.
Reduced Sleep Quality: Pain often worsens at night when distractions are low. Dogs may pace, pant, or change sleeping positions frequently (restlessness), which leads to sleep deprivation and further irritability.
3. Subtleties in Movement & Posture
Science-based tools like the Canine Brief Pain Inventory and Glasgow Pain Scale look for "out of context" movements:
The "Lazy Sit": Sitting with legs shifted to one side rather than tucked squarely.
Hesitation on Thresholds: Pausing before stairs, jumping into a car, or even stepping onto different floor textures (e.g., slippery tiles).
Facial Expression (The "Pain Face"): Research on facial grimace scales identifies flattened ears, "furrowed" brows (orbicularis oculi muscle tension), and a "glazed" or tightened look around the mouth.
4. Compulsive & "Distraction" Behaviors
Dogs may develop repetitive behaviors as a coping mechanism to release endorphins or soothe a specific area.
Excessive Licking/Chewing: Biting at paws, the base of the tail, or flanks—even if the pain is internal (like referred nerve pain).
PICA: Eating non-food items can sometimes be linked to gastrointestinal discomfort or metabolic pain.
If your dog is displaying a new behavioural change why not book in for our canine behavioral pain assessment?
We work with your vets and your dogs behaviour to create a plan that works for you.
Don’t hesitate to advocate for your dog today.