How Can A Dog's Behaviour Change When It Is In Pain Or Unwell?
When a dog is in pain or unwell, its behaviour can change in a number of ways:
It can become sensitive to touch, resulting in wanting to be left alone – either taking itself away for solitude or growling / becoming aggressive.
Although aggression is more common, another behavioural change can be extreme shyness.
Toileting may change, with the dog urinating or defecating in the house when it was formerly house trained.
It might not be responsive to stimuli, and it might not want to go for a walk or undertake exercise or training of any kind.
It might pace round the house, or stand with its head lowered, possibly staring into a corner.
It might bite or scratch itself.
It might not want to eat and/or drink, or pick at food rather than eat normally.
Return to Health General & Miscellaneous | Return to Behaviour General