It is driving me crazy, and my neighbours have now complained. Is there anything that I can do as my partner wants the dog to go!
Do you know that the reason may not be behavioural - Have you considered that your dog might be in pain?
It is the commonest thing in the world to think that our dogs are just being naughty, stubborn, or difficult. But dogs that have had a behavioural change could be struggling with pain and discomfort. For example: -
They could be struggling with a recent injury or an old unresolved injury.
They may be suffering with canine arthritis.
They may be aging, and the weather has changed from warm sunshine to damp and cold, so their joints are perhaps stiffening up.
Have you changed the stair carpet recently or replaced it with hard flooring?
These are just a few ideas to get you thinking of the many reasons for why your dog’s behaviour has changed.
“Pain changes the Brain”
As we know all too well as humans, that pain changes our behaviour and we become moody, lethargic, uninterested in things, sound and light bothers us and we are definitely easy to wind up etc. This is pretty much the same with our dogs.
We need to capture their pain early so that we do not let our dogs suffer needlessly.
What do we usually do? We, reach for the medicine cabinet – our dogs cannot.
Dogs are extremely stoic creatures and so very good at hiding their pain. It is true that when we notice that limp, or that they are stiff to rise – they have been in pain for a while. Behaviour changes including sensitivity to sound and light (therefore barking and perhaps hiding), or reactivity and aggression, can be their way of coping and saying, ‘enough is enough – I need help’. We need to read the subtle signs that they show us.
Therefore, knowing our dog – ‘what is normal for them’, is so very important to living with a healthy happy dog. Your dog will thank you and so will your neighbours!
Whenever your dog has a change in behaviour it is worth remembering that Pain changes the Brain. Do contact your vet for possible diagnosis and ask for a pain trial.
In the meantime, here are a few suggestions: –
Short walks only 10-15minutes. Avoid any hyper energetic/high impact activity.
Bring the outdoors in – go and collect some leaves, sticks, items that you find on a walk and let your dog sniff these. Dogs have a wonderful nose; it is their soap opera!
Provide them some licki mats or other activities to do such as finding treats hidden in toilet rolls.
To get the best from your vet visit: -
Record videos and keep a good day bad day diary – keep the videos short up to 30seconds and keep the diary on point no gibbering.
One last think please consider canine massage “more rubs = less drugs”. If you have ever received a massage yourself, then you clearly understand the benefits, if not I suggest that you try one. A massage well done it is a Godsend when in pain and stressed out. A good regular maintenance session speaks volumes to quality of life. Your dog could experience this too!
Do check out my eBook coming soon “More Rubs = Less Drugs” for much more help with pain related behaviour changes.
Kirstey Lee is a professional canine massage and exercise therapist, with a special interest in canine arthritis and palliative care. Living in Cardiff S. Wales with her partner and two dogs a SBT Shilo and a JRT Monty. If you wish to stay in touch or contact Kirstey for any questions you many have regarding canine massage and it’s benefits, please email Kirstey.lee@outlook.com or visit her website www.cardiffcaninemassage.co.uk. Kirstey is available to do zoom consultations for gait and posture analysis and to communicate with your veterinarian.
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