When the Little Things Actually Mean Something More
Has your dog ever done something out of the ordinary that made you pause and think, “Hmmm… that was super weird”?
At first, it might seem like a fluke, but then it happens again…and again. Dogs can do weird things sometimes. But other times, those little moments are your dog’s way of communicating that something deeper is going on.
Earlier this summer, I had started to have that experience with my own dog, Sully.
A Sudden Change in Sully
Sully has always been my favorite walking buddy. He gets super bouncy when I say those magic words “Do youuuu wanna go for a walk?” Sometimes making it hard for me to get his gear on. Going for walks has always been his favorite part of the day.
But a couple of months ago, some things changed.
We’d be walking and I would occasionally hear a weird nail scraping sound. Then a few weeks later he started hesitating at the door. Sometimes he didn’t want to go near the door at all. The times we did make it outside, seemingly random sights and sounds made him nervous-he would be moving his head back and forth quickly scanning the environment, turning around and pulling to go back home, tail tucked and wide eyes. Things that never used to faze him like people talking on their porch or trucks going by now made him uneasy.
For a while I was noting these things in my brain but kind of shrugged it all off as just a weird occasional thing. But after a couple of weeks, it started happening more often.
Turning “Weird” Into Data
I needed to know if I was just being an overly sensitive dog mom, I mean he is 9 years old now… or if there really was something going on. So, I started tracking it.
Every time we went for a walk, I recorded it on a spreadsheet like you see here:
This is a screenshot of the exact information I was tracking for Sully’s walks.
I also took some videos of his walk and sent them to a colleague to help me do a gait analysis. Shout out to Annie Thorne of Your Whole Dog for providing me some insight!
With just a simple tracking chart, and Annie’s analysis a clear pattern started to emerge: Sully was hesitating more often, showing consistent aversions to sights and sounds he used to ignore, and was showing some signs of discomfort while walking.
It wasn’t just made up stories in my head, the data proved something was going on.
What the Data Told Us
With the information I gathered, I made an appointment with our vet. I brought the tracking notes with me and explained what I’d observed along with the gait analysis notes.
We got x-ray’s done and it showed that Sully is starting to develop some arthritis in his spine. His hesitancy and anxious behavior weren’t training issues…they were pain-related.
He’s currently on a trial of pain meds, and he’s back to his normal self. Ready to head out the door every morning, and unbothered by the sights and sounds happening around him.
How This Can Help You and Your Dog
If your dog does something that feels out of character, don’t ignore it. Those “weird” moments might be your first clue that something’s up.
Here’s how to turn those gut feelings into helpful action:
1. Write it down
Note what happened, when, and where. Include anything else that stood out (time of day, weather, nearby noises, etc.).
2. Track it
If it keeps happening, start tracking. Look for patterns. (Not sure how? Check out this blog post on tracking behavior for help getting started.)
3. Rule out medical causes
Behavior changes often have a medical component. Before assuming it’s “just a training problem,” check in with your vet to make sure your dog isn’t experiencing pain or illness.
4. Seek support
Once your dog has their medical check-up, a professional trainer or behavior consultant can help you work on alternative behaviors to the issues.
Be Curious, Not Dismissive
Behavior always happens for a reason, even if we don’t understand that reason right away. Instead of brushing off the little things, get curious. Take notes. Ask questions. Get support when you need it.
Hope this helps!
Have a PAWsome Day!
Beccy
Need help understanding your dog’s behavior?
Whether you’re seeing something strange, subtle, or just not sure where to start, I’m here to help. You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Hi! I’m Beccy and I’m a professional dog trainer with almost 15 years of animal training experience. I use positive reinforcement and fear-free methods to help dogs and their humans build skills, confidence, and lasting behavior change. My goal is to create a stress free life for you and your dog. I offer in-home training in Maryville, TN and surrounding cities throughout Blount, Sevier, Knox, and Loudon Counties. Online training is available for clients outside of East TN.
