A happy healthy dog is generally interactive, fun, playful, enjoys life and is of course a little cheeky at times.
Although indicators of stress may not always be visible to the untrained eye, there are noticeable behaviours which may highlight a cause for concern.
As humans, dogs experience both emotional and physical stress. Below we have outlined some possible indicators of pain and discomfort in our canine companions.
Physical
• Stiffness in morning/after exercise • Fidgeting /not getting comfortable e.g. they don’t stay sitting/lying down. • Skin flinching • Tiring easily on walks • Excessive continuous barking • Excessive licking or chewing their body or legs in area of referred pain (if medical condition/allergies are ruled out) • Sensitive to touch e.g. doesn’t like to be stroked/groomed • Struggling up and down stairs/in out of car • Unable to bare weight on one or more limbs • Looking old before their time • Stretching far more frequently • Groaning when lying down • Changes in pattern of their coat • Change of positions when toileting or with difficulty • Postural changes • Intermittent Lameness (not diagnosed or responding to treatment)