Some dogs limp. Some cry. But many just act “off.”

They growl when touched, stop wanting to play, or suddenly seem sensitive to sounds or movement. You might think they’re anxious. Stubborn. Even reactive.

But what if it’s not just behaviour?

What if it’s pain?

This free guide will help you:

• Recognise 9 common behaviour changes that might point to pain

• Understand how chronic pain can affect emotions, reactivity, and learning

• Track your dog’s behaviour in a way that helps your vet spot what’s going on

• Know when it’s time to seek veterinary support (and how to advocate for your dog)

Why this matters:

Pain doesn’t always look like pain.
Dogs are incredibly stoic. Many don’t show visible signs of discomfort — especially in the vet clinic.

Behaviour is often the first clue.
Growling, withdrawing, acting ‘grumpy’ — these can be subtle cries for help, not defiance.

You know your dog best.
This guide helps you trust your gut and capture the kind of everyday info that professionals can’t get in a 15-minute exam room.

Who’s behind this?

I’m Kelly Cordell-Morris, Clinical Animal Behaviourist and the human behind Tails We Win. I work with anxious, reactive, and aggressive dogs — and pain is one of the most common threads running quietly beneath the surface of so-called “bad behaviour.”

I only work under vet referral, because behaviour is never just about training. It’s about the whole dog. And that starts with making sure they’re not hurting.