I have struggled with chronic pain all my life. I have it all over my body on a daily basis because of a rare genetic condition.
If I didn’t tell you I had chronic pain, you probably would have no idea. I seem totally normal unless you are able to pick up subtle clues. A mild limp in my right leg, having to lean against something if I’m standing, regularly switching what hand is holding something or doing a task, etc.
There are things I do that increase my pain, but I do them because they are worth it. They keep me happy, regulated, or because they are necessary. Even if my legs hurt, I’ll still go horseback riding because it brings me so much joy. Even if my head hurts I will look at a screen to watch my favorite show because it helps me regulate. Even if my hands hurt I will sit for hours doing office work because I have to in order to keep my business running.
There are things I did before my diagnosis that were detrimental to my condition. I didn’t know how dangerous and counterproductive it was for me to run or do yoga. I did these things daily and found so much joy in them.
On days where I have more pain, I am typically less social, grumpier, and more cautious in how I use my body. I may really want to get up to get something to eat, but the cost/benefit between the amount of pain I am in vs how hungry I am keeps me stationary.
My relationship with pain is different than the average person. It is at the forefront of every day of my life. It is not something that completely paralyzes me or prevents me from enjoying life, but it does impact most of my decisions and at times my mood. In some ways it makes me more resilient. I can function at high levels during injuries and illnesses that have made my peers bedridden because pain is normal for me.
My experience with chronic pain has made me realize that a lot of dogs who have “weird” or “bad” behaviors are actually just dealing with chronic pain. I have had many cases where I have pressed the owners to find a medical cause for the dog’s strange behavior and they end up having an undiagnosed cause of chronic pain. It has also made me realize how poorly understood chronic pain is.
Just because your dog doesn’t seem like they aren’t in pain doesn’t mean that they are fine. Especially if they have chronic pain, it will only show up in small signs and potentially be inconsistent. They may like shift their weight off one foot when standing, pause and adjust themselves before jumping on the couch, twitch when you pet a certain part of their back, “randomly” become aggressive or avoidant etc.
Just because your dog does activities that they love or have to do doesn’t mean that they aren’t in pain. In fact I know dogs who do regulating or fun activities more when they are in pain because it makes them feel better in the moment. On a walk the adrenaline and dopamine from hunting squirrels makes that experience less painful than a boring slow walk by your side.
Dogs will also do things they should not do when they are in pain or injured like play hard, run fast, or jump from high distances. This doesn’t mean they aren’t in pain, it just means they don’t know any better.
Your dog may have weird or unpredictable mood changes because of pain, but unlike a human they can’t tell you they are in pain. Things like the weather, activity levels the previous day, sounds/smells you can’t perceive, and diet can cause their pain to fluctuate.
Your dog may not be lazy or stubborn, it may be weighing the cost benefit between moving and causing pain or doing what you are asking of them.
Not all behavioral issues are a result of pain, but I feel like it gets overlooked too quickly because the dog is chasing the ball, playing with friends, or “seems fine.” If you have a behavioral issue that seems to lack a clear answer or is not responding to training, maybe it is time to call your vet.