August 21, 2026, 3:02 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Sometimes I notice it while walking the dog: My Australian Shepherd, Elvis, drags the claws of one hind paw on the ground. So far, veterinarians have not been able to determine a clear cause. Is he just tired, or could it be knuckling? PETBOOK explains how owners can tell the difference and when the dog needs to see a vet.
What does knuckling mean in dogs?
In knuckling, the paw bends downward. The dog steps not with the pads but with the tops of the toes or the back of the paw. This can last only a fraction of a second. In severe cases, the paw remains flipped and is dragged along.
Veterinarian Dr. Romina Pankow explains to PETBOOK: “In knuckling, proprioception often plays a role–simply put, the ability of the nervous system to always know where the limbs are in space without the dog having to look at them. If this perception or the subsequent motor response is impaired, the paw may be placed incorrectly or not returned to its normal position quickly enough. Knuckling is therefore not a diagnosis but initially a neurological symptom whose cause must be identified.”
Dragging or knuckling–how owners can tell the difference
A shoe comparison makes the difference clear. In simple dragging, only the tip of the shoe brushes the ground, and then the foot lands normally on the sole. In knuckling, however, the foot bends so that at least for a brief moment, the top of the shoe touches the ground.
Pankow emphasizes: “Not every claw dragging is knuckling. In true knuckling, the paw is not returned to its normal position in time, and the dog steps at least briefly with the tops of the toes or the back of the paw. If only the claws drag on the ground and the paw then lands normally on the pads, it is initially something else. Repeated claw dragging should still be clarified because both orthopedic and neurological causes may be behind it.”
For analysis, owners should film their dog from behind and from the side. In slow motion, it can be clearly seen:
- whether only the claws brush the ground while the paw remains upright–then it is dragging.
- whether the paw flips and its top touches the ground–then knuckling is visible.
Also interesting: Why do dogs bend their front paws when lying down?
Why the paw placement test does not allow a reliable diagnosis
Worn claws alone do not prove knuckling but show that the dog is not lifting the paw cleanly. The paw placement test is also not suitable for self-diagnosis. In this test, the veterinarian checks how quickly a dog correctly places its paw after a brief misalignment.1
Pankow explains: “The paw placement test initially seems very simple, but its execution and interpretation are much less clear-cut than they appear. Some dogs are very sensitive to touch on their paws and quickly withdraw the limb just from the touch stimulus. Such a so-called flexor reaction should not simply be equated with a normal conscious placement reaction. Therefore, a single test at home cannot reliably diagnose or rule out a neurological disorder. In neurological examinations, placement reactions are always assessed together with gait, posture, reflexes, muscle strength, and other findings.”
These accompanying symptoms are warning signs
Depending on the cause, other changes may occur. These include:
- stumbling or tripping
- unsteady or crossing hind legs
- collapsing when turning
- problems getting up or climbing stairs
- loss of strength and muscle atrophy
- worn claws or wounds on the back of the paw
Some causes, such as disc diseases, can also trigger back or neck pain, reluctance to move, or yelping. The absence of such pain does not automatically mean that there is no neurological disorder.
“Neurological disorders do not have to be painful. A dog can have a significant disorder of coordination, proprioception, or paw placement and still show no pain. Therefore, an unusual gait should not be dismissed just because the dog otherwise appears happy and unremarkable,” says Pankow.
What could be behind knuckling or claw dragging?
A possible neurological cause of knuckling is a disc disease: If disc material presses on nerves or the spinal cord, the dog may experience pain, walk unsteadily, and have difficulty moving its legs.2
An accident, a bone fracture, or in rare cases, surgery can damage a single nerve. Then the dog may drag only one leg or place the paw incorrectly.3
Orthopedic diseases and pain can also cause the dog not to move a limb far enough forward or lift it sufficiently. Then the claws may drag on the ground without the paw actually knuckling. Whether an orthopedic or neurological cause is present cannot be determined solely by the dragging pattern.
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Herniated Disc in Cats–When Sudden Paralysis Occurs
What are the chances of recovery from knuckling?
Whether knuckling resolves depends on its cause. A slightly injured nerve can recover within weeks or months. In severe nerve injuries, deficits may remain. Additionally, the skin can chafe from knuckling, wounds can become infected, and the risk of falling increases.
If a disc disease is present, the chances of recovery depend, among other things, on where the damage is located, what caused it, and how severe the neurological deficits are. Therefore, knuckling alone does not indicate how good the chances of recovery are.
When does the dog need to see a vet?
If the dog repeatedly drags the same paw or it bends, it should be examined orthopedically and neurologically soon. Newly occurring knuckling should also be examined by a veterinarian soon, but it is not automatically an emergency in every situation.
Immediate veterinary help is needed for:
- rapid deterioration
- significant weakness or paralysis
- severe pain
- bladder or bowel function disorders
If the dog can no longer stand or loses control over its bladder or bowel, it must see a vet immediately. Until then, it should walk little and not jump. Protective shoes can protect sore skin but do not eliminate the cause. Splints and bandages should be handled by professionals.