April 8, 2026, 4:14 am | Read time: 6 minutes
Limping or a raised leg—such signs are immediately recognized by most as pain signals in dogs. But what about restlessness at night or sudden clinginess? A recent study shows that these subtle cues are often overlooked. This can have consequences—for the dog’s well-being and even the risk of aggressive behavior.
We Have Difficulty Interpreting Dog Behavior
In Germany, dogs live in about 20 percent of households. As close companions to humans, it is all the more important for us to interpret their behavior correctly. Pain can play a central role—not only for the animal’s welfare but also for everyday safety. Pain can change a dog’s behavior and, in extreme cases, lead to aggressive reactions.
While obvious signs of pain, such as lameness, are well recognized, subtler cues have been less researched. These include reduced playfulness, changed social behavior, or withdrawal. However, humans have difficulty correctly interpreting dog behavior, as previous studies have shown.
Dogs Do Not Communicate Directly When They Are in Pain
This is not surprising in itself. Even with very clear communication from dogs, owners have trouble interpreting it correctly. This often leads to misunderstandings. Dog trainers or schools can help here, but they usually only teach the body language signals of dogs that are important for coexistence. Pain signals are not included.
Many dogs also do not communicate directly when they are in pain, but rather withdraw. Only when people know their pet is ill do they notice changes in hindsight, such as when the dog plays less or eats less. Until now, there has been little reliable data on this. This is where the new study comes in.
How Well Do People With and Without Dogs Recognize Pain Signals?
The researchers proposed three hypotheses:
- Dog owners do not recognize subtle pain signals better than non-owners.
- Personal pain experiences influence perception.
- Experience with a dog in pain improves recognition.
The results were published in the journal “PLOS One.”
The study examined how well dog owners and people without dogs recognize pain signals in dogs. A total of 647 people participated in an online survey. The focus was on 17 typical behaviors and three case studies with varying degrees of pain signals. The goal was to find out whether experience with dogs or personal pain experiences influences assessment—especially with hard-to-recognize, subtle signals.1
Participants Had to Evaluate 17 Behaviors
The researchers conducted an online survey with 647 adults, including 530 dog owners and 117 people without a current dog. Participants evaluated 17 dog behaviors based on how likely they were to indicate pain—on a scale from 0 (very unlikely) to 4 (very likely).
Additionally, three case studies were described:
- a dog with subtle pain signs (e.g., nighttime restlessness, increased clinginess),
- a dog with clear, movement-related pain (e.g., limping),
- and a dog without pain, whose behavior had other causes.
Participants were asked to assess whether pain was the cause of the behavior. It was also recorded whether the individuals or their dogs had previously experienced pain.
Only Half Recognized Subtle Pain Signals
The results show a clear pattern: Obvious pain signals are well recognized—subtle ones, however, are significantly less so.
Among the 17 behaviors, “change in personality,” “hesitant paw lifting,” “mood swings,” and “less play” received the highest pain ratings. “Sniffing the air,” “licking the nose,” and “yawning” were least often associated with pain.
In the case study with clear pain signs, 97 percent of dog owners and 92 percent of non-owners rated pain as likely. It was different in the subtle case: Only 53 percent of dog owners and 55 percent of non-owners saw pain as the cause—no significant difference.
Subtle Changes Are Often Misinterpreted
Notably, people with personal pain experience recognized subtle cues more often (60 percent vs. 46 percent). Dog owners with a previously pain-stricken pet also scored higher (62 percent vs. 46 percent).
Another detail: Non-owners more frequently interpreted some behaviors, such as “freezing” or “turning away,” as pain signals than dog owners did.
The study shows that having experience with dogs does not automatically mean better recognition of pain. Especially subtle changes in behavior are often misinterpreted or overlooked. This is relevant because these early signs can be crucial for timely treatment.
Personal Pain Experiences Make One More Sensitive
If pain goes unnoticed, the dog’s condition can worsen. Additionally, the risk of unexpected reactions, such as aggressive behavior due to pain, increases. The ability to recognize such signals is therefore not only a matter of animal welfare but also of safety in handling dogs.
It is also interesting to note the influence of experience: Both personal pain and experiences with a sick dog seem to increase sensitivity to corresponding signals. This suggests that learning and education can play an important role.
The authors therefore emphasize that training on dog behavior should more strongly consider pain signals—especially the less obvious ones.
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The Study Has Some Weaknesses
The study provides important insights but has some limitations. Participants were recruited via social media, leading to a skewed sample. For example, 88 percent were female, and the age distribution differed significantly between dog owners and non-owners.
Additionally, the group of non-owners partially included people with previous dog experience, which can affect comparability. The case studies were also specifically developed for this study and not previously validated. Different dog breeds in the examples could also have influenced the assessment, as people assess pain perception differently depending on the breed.
Another point: Only “pain” was asked about, not general “discomfort.” As a result, some behaviors that indicate general discomfort rather than clear pain may have been underestimated.
Despite these limitations, the central statement is robust: Subtle pain signals are often not recognized—regardless of whether someone owns a dog or not.
Conclusion: Early Pain Signals Often Go Unnoticed
The study makes it clear that many people—even experienced dog owners—have difficulty recognizing fine signs of pain in dogs. While obvious symptoms are well perceived, early warning signs often go unnoticed.
For dog owners, this means that behavioral changes such as withdrawal, restlessness, or reduced activity should be taken seriously. They can be early indications of pain.
The results also underscore the importance of education. Better knowledge of subtle pain signals can help identify suffering early, act in a timely manner, and sustainably improve the well-being of dogs.