And how a CAKES lifestyle can change the way you respond.

There’s a moment many dog owners experience at some point…

Your dog hesitates.
They react differently.
They don’t respond the way they used to.

And the first thought is often:   “Why are they doing this?”

But sometimes, the better question is:   “What might they be feeling?”

Before we go any further, I want to be clear—
I am not a veterinarian. This isn’t about diagnosing or treating medical conditions. This is about looking at behavior through a different lens…one that considers how physical discomfort can shape what we see, how we respond, and how we build a training plan that actually supports the dog in front of us.

I hope you enjoy our May PawCAKES Theme: Pain, Pressure & Pivoting with CAKES
Compassion. Awareness. Knowledge. Empathy. Support.

This isn’t a checklist! 

It’s a way of living with your dog, especially when they may be dealing with physical pain or feeling pressure to please or perform, and how we can make thoughtful shifts in our training and lifestyle to better support them. 

5 Subtle Signs Your Dog Might Be Struggling with Pain

1. Slower Responses (Not Stubbornness)

Your dog knows the cue.  They’ve done it a hundred times.

But now? There’s a pause.

• They hesitate before sitting; moving into position slower, seeming to think about it longer before they go into position, possibly even create a new habit such as spinning before going into the sit.

• They take longer to come when called, especially if they were laying down when you called them.

• They seem less motivated, almost as if they are wondering if it’s worth it to do what your asking of them in that moment.

It’s easy to label this as stubbornness or regression. But hesitation is often a clue.

CAKES Shift: Awareness + Compassion
Instead of pushing for faster responses, observe the moment.
What’s happening before the behavior?
What might feel harder for them right now?

Sometimes slowing down is not a training issue, it’s a physical one.

2. Avoidance of Previously Enjoyed Activities

The dog who used to jump into the car now stands and looks at you.
The one who loves walks suddenly lingers behind.
Play sessions get shorter or stop altogether.

Avoidance is communication!

CAKES Shift: Empathy
Ask yourself:  “If this felt uncomfortable or unpredictable, would I still want to do it?”

Instead of encouraging through pressure, look for ways to adjust the experience:

• Lower the intensity. 

• Shorten the duration. 

• Change the environment.

A Real-Life Example

A few years ago, Azul was diagnosed with two tick-borne illnesses. We followed our veterinarian’s guidance for treatment and continue to do regular evaluations each year. From a medical standpoint, there are no clear signs of joint damage.

But living with him day to day tells a fuller story.

On stormy days, especially when it’s wet, I notice subtle changes. If he’s standing still, there can be a slight tremble in his front legs. If he moves too quickly, or even after lying in an awkward position for too long, I’ll sometimes see a mild limp.

Those are the days Azul often opts out.

He may choose to skip playtime, avoid car rides, and instead settle into his soft beds for most of the day. And when possible, I let him.

When staying home isn’t an option, I adjust. I plan our activities around what he can comfortably handle, and I bring out the steps to help him get in and out of the vehicle with less strain on his joints.

Nothing dramatic. Nothing urgent. Just small, consistent adjustments based on what he’s telling me. And that’s the piece that matters;  not just what we’re told in an exam room, but what we notice when we’re truly paying attention.

3. Increased Irritability or Sensitivity

A normally easygoing dog startles more easily. They might pull away from touch, growl in situations that never bothered them before, or spend more “alone time” in their SAFE space.

This can be one of the most misunderstood signs.

CAKES Shift: Knowledge - Behavior that looks like “attitude” is often protection.

Pain can lower tolerance and change thresholds. What used to feel neutral may now feel overwhelming. Your dog isn’t trying to be difficult; they may be trying to stay safe.

This was actually the first indicator that something wasn’t right with Azul.

Back to Azul’s Story…

Before getting sick, Azul genuinely enjoyed being around other dogs. He was social, playful, and comfortable making new friends. Then…that changed.

Almost overnight, his tolerance dropped. He started preferring quick greetings, then returning to a familiar spot where he could be left alone. If another dog pushed into his space, he responded faster and with more intensity. He began telling dogs to back off sooner, more clearly, and in ways that could come across as intimidating, especially with unfamiliar dogs.

To someone just watching the behavior, it could have easily been labeled as him becoming “grumpy” or less social. But behavior doesn’t shift that quickly without a reason. 

As a certified behavior professional, that sudden change stood out to me as information; not a problem to fix, but something to understand. It was enough for me to schedule a veterinary check.

Full labs revealed two tick-borne illnesses; conditions that hadn’t shown up in any obvious physical way yet. No clear limping, no dramatic signs…just what many people might brush off as “grumpy old man” behavior.

But it wasn’t just Azul’s personality shifting; it was communication letting me know his quality of life was shifting.

4. Changes in Movement or Posture

These are the quiet ones; the ones that are easy to miss unless you’re really looking.

A slight limp that comes and goes.
Shifting weight off one side.
Reluctance to sit squarely.
More time spent lying down…or difficulty getting up.

CAKES Shift: Awareness + Support
This is where observation matters! Noticing small changes early allows you to adjust expectations before frustration builds on either end of the leash.

Support might look like:

• Choosing different surfaces

• Modifying exercises

• Allowing more rest between activities

• Ensuring resting spots are easier on joints; orthopedic beds vs hard floors.

5. “Out of Nowhere” Behavior Changes

This is the one I hear all the time:  “It came out of nowhere.”

But behavior rarely does.

When a dog suddenly:

• Stops listening

• Reacts more intensely

• Withdraws

• Struggles in familiar situations

…it’s worth zooming out.

CAKES Shift: Compassion + Curiosity
Instead of reacting to the behavior itself, get curious about the pattern.

What’s changed?
What’s different?
What might your dog be experiencing that you can’t see?

Finishing Azul’s Story…

Azul ultimately retired early from his work as a service dog due to his occasional pain and discomfort; especially noticeable on stormy days. From that point on, he was given a choice. Some days he would come to work with me at the Training Center, and other days he would stay home and rest with Daddy.

Our training shifted, too. I stopped asking Azul to perform behaviors just for the sake of connection, and instead focused on the activities he genuinely enjoyed. The goal became less about doing more, and more about doing what felt good for him.

We also adjusted what we practiced. Rather than continuing to build service dog tasks, we focused on skills that supported our new, more flexible daily routine.

It wasn’t about giving things up. It was about listening, adjusting, and choosing a path that better supported the dog in front of me.

Building a Training Plan Around a Dog in Pain

When a dog is dealing with ongoing discomfort, the goal of training shifts.

It can no longer be about doing more training, pushing through more exercise, or trying to get back to where you were.

It becomes about:

• Reducing pressure with purpose

• Creating clarity without overwhelm

• Meeting your dog where they are today

This is where CAKES really comes to life.

• Compassion keeps frustration from taking over

• Awareness helps you notice the small changes

• Knowledge reframes behavior as communication

• Empathy guides your choices

• Support shapes the plan moving forward

Some days will look different than others because progress may not be linear. And that’s not failure; that’s responsiveness.

A Final Thought

Living with a dog who may be experiencing physical discomfort changes you, if you let it.

It asks you to slow down, pay attention, and to listen differently. Not just to what your dog is doing, but to what they might be trying to say.

And when you respond with Compassion, Awareness, Knowledge, Empathy, and Support, you don’t just change behavior; you strengthen the relationship.