Pain & Behaviour : Understanding What Pain Is in Dogs

The link between pain & behaviour has never been clearer yet it is still one of the most overlooked reasons for dog behaviour and it is often dismissed as irrelevant or as a last resort once training hasn't worked.

In our upcoming series, Pain & Behaviour, we’ll explore multiple aspects of pain & its impact on dogs, their owners & their daily lives. This first post is a short (& hopefully easy-to-understand) explanation of what pain is, the types of pain & what recent research shows.

What is Pain

The definition of pain from the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) is: "An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage."

In simple terms, it means that a dog can experience pain not only from an injury, but sometimes even without an obvious injury.

Acute vs Chronic vs Intermittent

Chronic Pain: this is pain that lasts for a prolonged period of time, usually for longer than 3 months. Unlike acute pain, which acts as a warning system to the body that something is wrong. Chronic pain does not have a protective purpose & its presence usually causes prolonged discomfort, stress & behavioural changes.

Example: A dog with long-term dental disease may experience persistent mouth pain that makes eating uncomfortable. Over time, it may eat more slowly, drop food or avoid eating altogether.

Acute Pain: this type of pain comes on quick & is usually caused by an injury. Think of this type of pain as a warning system to the body that something is wrong & needs to be fixed. Often, this type of pain will resolve once the injury is resolved.

Example: A dog steps on a piece of glass while walking & immediately yelps & lifts its paw. The pain lasts until the injury heals, guiding the dog to protect the affected area.

Intermittent Pain: this type of pain comes & goes, instead of being present all the time - this makes it hard to identify. Usually caused by flare-ups or underlying health issues that aren't clear.

Example: A dog with mild arthritis may feel fine after resting but becomes stiff or limps after a long walk. The pain comes & goes, making it harder to recognise.

Common Types of Pain Experienced by Dogs

When it comes to the types of pain that dogs can experience, the most common are: Inflammatory Pain

Inflammation occurs as a result of an injury. Its purpose is to protect the injured area from further harm by sending white blood cells to the affected tissue. This response causes swelling, heat & pain, which helps the body begin the healing process while discouraging further use or damage of the injured area.

Normally, inflammation is a short-term response that resolves as the injury heals. However, in some conditions, like arthritis or long-term joint disease, the inflammatory response can persist for weeks, months or even years.

Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain occurs when a dog’s nervous system is damaged or not working properly. Unlike normal injury pain, this type of pain can happen without an obvious injury, and in humans, it is often described as burning, tingling, or shooting pain.

A common cause of neuropathic pain in dogs is IVDD (intervertebral disc disease). This occurs when the discs that cushion the bones of the spine rupture, bulge, or degenerate. When this happens, it can cause pain in the spine, nerves, and limbs, leading dogs to yelp, flinch, or change the way they move. Nociceptive Pain

This is the most common type of pain experienced by dogs. It’s the body’s natural way of responding to injury or potential harm. When a dog gets a cut, bruise, or inflammation, pain receptors are activated and send signals to the brain. This lets the dog know something is wrong and encourages them to protect the affected area.

An example of Nociceptive pain would be when a dog steps on a sharp object which cuts their paw. This pain will be felt almost immediately causing the dog to yelp, cry & hold its paw up. Myofascial Pain

This type of pain occurs in the muscles & the connective tissue called fascia, which surrounds & supports muscles, bones, organs, nerves & blood vessels. A common cause of myofascial pain is when a dog compensates for an injury or posture issue.

For example, a dog with hip pain may change how it moves or holds its body to avoid stressing the sore joint. Over time, these adjustments can cause the surrounding fascia & muscles to tighten, become strained & painful.

The Link Between Pain & Behaviour

There has recently been a lot of research into pain & its affect on behaviour:

• In a 2020 study by Professor Daniel Mills, it is suggested that up to 80% of dog's presented to veterinary behaviourists are experiencing pain.

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7071134

  
  

• In a 2024 review by Daniel S. Mills, Fergus M. Coutts, and Kevin J. McPeake, it is highlighted that pain and paresthesia can cause or exacerbate problem behaviors in dogs, emphasizing the need for veterinarians to consider discomfort in any case presenting with behavioral issues.

  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37743157

Conclusion

Pain is a significant yet often overlooked factor in dog behavioural issues. Understanding the impact, presentation, and subtleties of pain makes it easier for owners and dog professionals to ensure dogs get the treatment and support they need. This blog series aims to provide clear, practical insights to help dogs live more comfortably and confidently.

If you’d like help with your dog’s behaviour, you can view my behaviour programmes here. For assistance with an overseas rescue dog, click here, or you can book a free 30-minute discovery call here.

The next post in this series will cover the most common misconceptions about pain.