PAIN. Dogs hide pain way better than we do. Many owners are surprised to discover, after a visit to their veterinarian or an experienced behavior specialist, that their dog has been in pain for some time. An abscessed tooth, a bad hip, an ear infection, or even a disease such as cancer could be taking a serious toll on your buddy, and you wouldn’t even know it. Changes in behavior are sometimes the only cue that our dog is in trouble; that’s why it is so important to consider that health issues could be a possible explanation for strange behavior.

AGGRESSION AND ILLNESS. A healthy dog can, on rare occasions, behave aggressively toward an unhealthy dog in the home—even if the animals have been close companions for years. The symptoms, smells, and behaviors associated with disease in the unhealthy dog may act as instinctive signals to the other dog, triggering an attack on the weaker animal. Though this does not occur often, it is important not to blame the aggressor unfairly or to make assumptions about the dog’s intentions and temperament if such an event should occur.

Nutrition

DIET. “You are what you eat” doesn’t just apply to people. Dogs’ bodies are significantly affected by what they consume, and particularly if they are not consuming enough. Dogs with insufficient nutrition may be more competitive and defensive about resources, feeling their survival depends on acquiring and securing available food. In addition, the quality and ingredients of what they consume can have a tremendous influence on their affect and behavior. While dogs are, quintessentially, still the evolutionary master garbage disposal able to digest anything remotely edible, they have their limits. Some dogs have significant dietary intolerances and requirements, and food allergies to various proteins and other common ingredients in dog food. It is important to find the right diet for each dog, one that fits his distinct needs.

Disability

VULNERABILITY. Disabled canines get along incredibly well, navigating their terrain and daily challenges with an admirable optimistic spirit. Most of the time, they are able to make the necessary adjustments to make do despite their clear disadvantage. Dogs know that they are more vulnerable when they are compromised in any way, and may easily feel threatened by conditions in their environment and by other individuals. Their ability to fight or flee in a precarious situation may be in jeopardy, and they know that they’re unable to defend themselves or get away as quickly as other dogs. If your dog has a disability of any kind, be sensitive to the possibility that, beneath his resilient exterior, he may feel stressed, frightened, or even defensive.

Individual: