Is My Dog in Pain?

Dogs instinctively mask pain, and the earliest signs are usually small, easily explained changes rather than one dramatic symptom. This owner-focused guide explains why dogs hide discomfort and the difference between nociception and pain. It also explains why brief clinic visits often miss chronic pain: exam-room stress can mask signs, gradual decline becomes the “new normal,” and pain shows up in home-life contexts like stairs, rising from sleep, and settling at night. The guide covers: Common and subtle signs of pain, including morning stiffness, altered sitting posture, head bob while trotting, nighttime restlessness, and pain-associated behavior change Why an individual dog’s own baseline is more informative than breed averages A practical home-observation routine, including what to video before a veterinary appointment How continuous, individualized monitoring (Tether’s collar-mounted device, The Ruff, and its Individualized Longitudinal Baseline Engine) can make subtle change visible earlier When to call a veterinarian, and when to seek urgent care This guide is educational and does not replace veterinary examination or diagnosis. It is a companion to the Tether white paper “Detecting Pain Before It’s Visible.” Fifteen references are cited, including the AAHA 2022 Pain Management Guidelines, the CBPI, and the CMPS-SF.