Dogs hide pain more than we realise

One thing I often tell clients is that dogs hide pain astonishingly well. They rarely limp or whine until things are quite advanced. Instead, they carry on stoically, masking discomfort in ways that can be easy to miss.

Recently, I was reminded of this in a very personal way with my own dog, Envy.

When behaviour masks pain

For the past six months, I’ve been working on what I thought was purely a behaviour problem — Envy’s road worry.

We’d been making progress, helping her change her emotional response to walking near roads, but then we seemed to hit a wall. Envy began to generalise her fear. It wasn’t just roads anymore — tarmac itself started to worry her. Even if she was on grass and spotted a car in the distance, her stress levels rose.

I assumed it was all emotional, the kind of behaviour issue I help clients with every day. Maybe I’m too close to her and needed an outside point of view but it’s a reminder of how dog behaviour and pain are very connected, which I talk about a lot in my Reactive Dog Programme.

A lightbulb moment

A couple of weeks ago, we went to see a brilliant vet to discuss whether anxiety medication might help her.

Before that appointment, something hit me like a bus: if this were a client’s dog, I’d already have advised a pain check before considering medication. Why hadn’t I done the same for my own?

That realisation changed everything.

The pain check that changed things

During the examination, the vet performed a pain check. Envy’s reaction was so subtle most people wouldn’t have noticed it. She didn’t yelp, limp or resist. Instead, she licked her lips quickly (a known stress signal) and gently pulled her leg away when her shoulders and elbows were examined.

That tiny moment revealed a lot. The vet suspects elbow dysplasia, but we won’t know for sure until she has a CT scan and pain trace at the Renew Centre in mid-November.

Dogs hide pain in plain sight

This experience has been a powerful reminder that dogs hide pain in so many ways. Envy has shown no obvious physical signs — she still runs, jumps, and hops in and out of the van with her usual enthusiasm.

Yet what I’d labelled as “road worry” may actually have been her way of coping with discomfort on hard surfaces. It’s a good example of how subtle dog pain signs can be easy to miss, even for professionals.

Where we are now

For now, Envy is taking anti-inflammatories and her walks are limited to around 30 minutes. She’s still her bright, social self, but I’m keeping a close eye on her.

I am of course berating myself, why hadn’t I thought of this sooner, if it was a client I would have sent them for a pain check ages ago.

But this is where we are now.

In a few weeks, we’ll know more after her CT scan and consultation at the Renew Centre.

Why good insurance matters

Another big lesson through this has been the importance of insurance. The estimated cost for Envy’s CT scan and pain trace is close to £3,500 — a huge sum to find suddenly if you don’t have it saved.

This is where having reliable cover makes all the difference. I’m personally with PetPlan, who’ve been brilliant. The Renew Centre will claim directly from them, meaning I don’t have to pay upfront and then wait for reimbursement. It’s a huge relief and means they can go ahead with what is needed of her.

Vet care can quickly become expensive, and while we all want to do the best for our dogs, unexpected costs can add stress at an already worrying time. Unless you’ve got funds set aside, good insurance gives you peace of mind so you can focus on what really matters — your dog’s wellbeing.

Takeaway for dog owners

If there’s one thing I hope Envy’s story highlights, it’s this:
behaviour changes can be clues to pain.

Don’t ignore small shifts — a new worry, reluctance, or odd reaction could be your dog’s way of saying something hurts. Trust your gut and get them checked. Dogs rarely show pain in obvious ways, but their behaviour often tells the story first.