Is your dog in pain? Learn to spot the signs

September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, and as a trainee clinical canine massage therapist, I’ve been revising some of the most useful tools we have to support our dogs' wellbeing.

Pain and discomfort in dogs often go unnoticed. Our dogs can’t tell us, “My knee hurts,” or “I didn’t sleep well because I couldn’t get comfy.” Instead, we rely on our observational skills. But if you’re not sure what to look for – or whether what you’re seeing is “normal” – it can feel overwhelming.

That’s where the 5 principles of pain, developed by the Canine Massage Guild, come in. They group signs of pain and discomfort into five areas of your dog’s life, helping you form a clearer picture of what might be going on.

👉 The 5 Principles of Pain - Canine Massage Guild

Let’s take a closer look:

1. Gait

Gait is how your dog moves – walk, trot, canter, gallop. A regular, balanced gait keeps joints and muscles working efficiently, but changes can indicate pain or restriction.

Look out for:

• Limping or lameness

• Holding a paw off the ground

• Shorter strides or slowing down

• Circling a leg out to the side when walking

• Pacing (both legs on one side moving together)

• Hopping or skipping in the hind legs

• “Crabbing” – body moving at an angle

2. Posture

How your dog holds themselves can reveal a lot.

You might notice:

• A hunched (roached) or sway (dipped) back

• Shifting weight off one leg

• Uneven sitting or twisted posture

• Turned-in feet or bowed elbows

• Uneven muscle bulk or nail wear

• Skin flicking or twitching

• Swirls or flicks in the coat

• Dandruff or dry patches

• A stiff or tucked tail

• Difficulty holding a poop stoop

3. Activities of daily living

Everyday tasks can be harder for a dog in pain.

Clues include:

• Struggling with stairs or car access

• Reluctance to jump on/off furniture

• Sleeping poorly or restlessness at night

• Slowing down or stiffening up on walks

• Slipping on vinyl or tiled floors

• Lying down to eat

• Stiffness on getting up from rest

4. Behaviour

Behaviour changes are often the first thing guardians notice but may not connect to pain.

Pain can show up as:

• Avoiding petting or grooming

• Seeming withdrawn or depressed

• Licking, biting or nibbling at body parts

• Growling or snapping – at people or other dogs

• Increased sensitivity to noise or movement

• Frequently rolling on their back

Pain-related behaviour often gets labelled as “naughty,” “grumpy,” or “anxious” – but the root cause may be discomfort.

5. Performance

If your dog competes or trains in sports, you might see signs in their performance:

• Fatiguing early

• Avoiding harnesses or equipment

• Mistimed jumps or weaving issues (agility)

• Changes in pulling strength (canicross, sledding)

• Odd posture or movement during tasks (obedience, showing)

Even subtle changes can signal something’s off.

Underlying causes

Orthopaedic or neurological issues like arthritis, hip dysplasia, or IVDD can cause these signs – but so can muscular discomfort. Identifying the cause early can prevent long-term pain and help your dog feel more comfortable.

Feeling overwhelmed? Start here.

Observing your dog with fresh eyes can be a big task – but small steps make a difference:

• Pick one or two areas to watch

• Keep a diary – note down changes and patterns over a few days

• Take videos – slow them down and watch for changes in gait or posture

• Use photos – look for changes in their stand, sit, or curled-up position over time

• Trust your gut – if something seems off, it probably is

And don’t wait until things get worse. Show your vet what you’ve observed (videos and notes help enormously in those short appointments). You can also book a muscular MOT with a therapist from the Canine Massage Guild – they’re trained to assess and support dogs with soft tissue issues.