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Could Your Dog’s Behavioral Issues Actually Be Health Symptoms?

Unlike a person, when your canine buddy isn’t feeling well, there’s no easy way for them to let you know. Animals can tolerate and mask a lot of discomfort and even pain, until they can’t.

Unfortunately, sometimes their poor health symptoms get mistaken for a sudden change in behavioral issues. Ask any established dog trainer, and they’ll be able to site at least one instance when they were brought in to correct a behavioral problem and realized it was a sign of something else entirely.

It’s always a good idea to err on the side of caution. It’s still a great idea to get professional help from a dog trainer for problem behaviors, just make sure it’s not also a symptom for a health condition that needs attention.

Learn the Signs to Look For

It’s a good idea to have your pet checked out twice a year by a veterinarian twice a year. This greatly reduces the likelihood of your four-legged friend contracting an illness unexpectedly. Still keep an eye out for possible symptoms such as:

• Is your usually friendly dog uncharacteristically grouchy? Have they even growled or snapped at you if you touch them or even get too close? It’s very common for a dog suffering from pain to “act out” in this manner. It’s the only way they know to try to avoid being touched, causing further pain, and alert you to the fact that there is an underlying problem.
• Your dog is lying around and doesn’t seem to want to move. It’s easy to think they’re being lazy and even defiant, but the truth may be they’re sick or in pain. It’s true that some canines will cry, whimper, or make noise when they’re not feeling well. Others, try to just stay quiet and maybe even go into hiding.
• They just seem “off.” Dogs have bad days, just like people. It’s okay if your pup has an off day, but if that changed behavior and attitude spills over into multiple days, don’t ignore it. Do your furry friend a favor and take it seriously; let a professional have a look and help lower the risk of a health issue just being allowed to linger.

Even if your dog’s issue isn’t on this list, get proactive about it. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Once they get a clean bill of health, and you’re ready for a Denver dog trainer to intervene, call Dog Ventures and resolve those problematic behaviors.