31/03/2026 - Training
When a dog starts pulling on the lead, barking at other dogs, or refusing to get in the car, most owners assume it is a training problem. The reality is often more surprising: behaviour and physical health are deeply connected, and what looks like ‘disobedience’ could be your dog's way of telling you something hurts.
This is not about dramatic injuries or obvious limping. The kind of pain that influences behaviour tends to be subtle, the sort that bubbles along in the background without ever being obvious enough to send you rushing to the vet. Think of a niggly back, a slightly sore elbow, or a tooth that causes mild but persistent discomfort. As humans, we know exactly how that kind of chronic, low-level pain affects our mood and tolerance. Our dogs experience the same thing, but without the ability to explain it.
The Behaviours Worth Looking At Again
A surprisingly wide range of behaviours can be connected to underlying physical discomfort. Dogs that seem unsettled, jumpy, or unable to relax are often described as "fizzy" and are frequently dismissed as high energy or difficult. Sound sensitivity, reactivity towards other dogs and people, reluctance to be groomed, growling when moved at night, and aversion to being touched can all have a physical component that is easy to miss.
Car travel is a particularly overlooked one. If a dog drools, paces, or refuses to get into the car, it is tempting to put it down to anxiety. But if getting in and out is physically uncomfortable, or if the movement of the car causes pain because a dog cannot stabilise itself properly, the car becomes something to dread. The behaviour is not irrational, it is logical.
Harness choice matters too. A harness sitting on a sore muscle can cause a dog to resist wearing it or pull more, not because they are being awkward, but because it is causing discomfort with every step.
What You Can Actually Do
Here is the reassuring part: addressing the physical side of your dog's wellbeing does not have to mean expensive treatment or scary diagnoses. Many of the most impactful changes are simple and free. Putting rugs down on slippery floors, using a ramp for the car, offering a choice of beds, learning basic relaxation massage, reducing high-impact exercise, and reconsidering what your dog is eating can all make a meaningful difference.
For dogs that do need professional support, options go far beyond the vet's surgery. Hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, chiropractic care, laser therapy, acupuncture, and even herbal self-selection are all available and increasingly accessible. The key is working with a team of people who understand that physical health, behaviour, and training are not separate concerns but part of the same picture.
Trust Your Instincts
If something feels off with your dog and training alone is not getting results, it is worth asking whether health could be part of the puzzle. Most owners who seek help find that their instincts were right all along. Getting curious, rather than frustrated, about why your dog behaves the way they do is often the first step towards real change. And that is a step any dog owner can take.
If you are based in West Berkshire and would like support from Anna Balch, you can find her at annabalchdogtrainer.com or get in touch directly at [email protected].
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