Dogs Health and Behaviour

In the past, physical health issues and behavioural issues affecting dogs were treated separately. There is now a wealth of evidence demonstrating the strong link between the Dogs Health and Behaviour. In their review of medical conditions and behavioural problems in dogs and cats, Camps, Amat & Manteca (2019) concluded that these issues could typically be divided into 4 key areas. These are;

• Issues that affect the perception of the environment, such as blindness.
• Problems that affect cognitive processing, such as neurological issues.
• Issues that induce a stress response, like pain.
• Lastly, there are issues that affect or prevent the expression of normal behaviour, such as broken bones. 

Change in dogs health and behaviour

Indeed, a change in behaviour is often the first sign that a dog is unwell or in pain. Owners may observe changes to their dogs appetite, drinking habits and elimination habits (Houpt, 2009),  typical bowel movements (Volkmann et al, 2017) and normal sleep and rest patterns (Smith, Mendl & Murrell, 2022). Dogs may change their behaviour in terms of play and interest in walks or training when unwell. Their interest in and relationship with their guardian may change and they may have a different from usual reaction when touched (Karpiński, 2021). 

An underlying medical condition may also cause or contribute to onset of unusual or abnormal repetitive behaviours, such as shadow chasing and tail chasing (Tynes & Sinn, 2014). Importantly, there is a clear relationship between aggressive behaviour in dogs and painful conditions. Mills et al (2020) estimate that up to 80% of the 100 cases they studied of ‘problem behaviours’, including aggression, were directly or indirectly related to underlying pain.  

Heath effects training

Idiopathic epilepsy (IE) is a common condition and a clear example of the relationship between dogs health and behaviour.  Symptoms of IE can include seizures and loss of consciousness. A 2011 study by Shihab, Bowen & Volk (2011) found that 71% of dogs studied showed a significant increase in anxious, fearful or aggressive behaviours after the onset of IE. This was further supported by Levitin et al (2019) who found that dogs with IE showed increased fear/anxiety when being groomed or bathed and were likely to show separation relation anxiety, such as shaking. The ‘trainability’ of dogs has also been found to decrease after the onset of IE, which may be reflective of damage caused to the brain by seizures (Watson, Packer, Rusbridge & Volk, 2020). Fortunately, treatment and medication to help manage the epilepsy can also help alleviate some of the related behavioural issues, such as aggression (Shihab, Bowen & Volk, 2011). 

If a change in behaviour is observed in a dog, the dog should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. This is key to ensuring the dogs quality of life, preventing further onset of illness or pain and managing any potential underlying conditions that may be contributing to the change in behaviour. Understanding the link between dogs health and behaviour is important for owners and canine professionals alike to prevent dogs being relinquished or euthanised due to ‘bad behaviour’. This should also be the first step in any training plan undertaken. 

What next?

• Looking for help with your dog? Contact us to arrange in person or online training.
• Read more blog posts here.
• Perfect Recall: Teaching your dog to come back when called every time. Our guide is free to download when you join our email list- sign up here.  

References

Camps T., Amat M., & Manteca X. (2019). A Review of Medical Conditions and Behavioral Problems in Dogs and Cats. Animals (Basel). 12;9(12):1133.

Houpt, Katherine A. 2009. House soiling by dogs. BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine

Volkmann, M., Steiner, J. M., Fosgate, G. T., Zentek, J., Hartmann, S., & Kohn, B. (2017). Chronic diarrhea in dogs–retrospective study in 136 cases. Journal of veterinary internal medicine, 31(4), 1043-1055.

Smith, M., Mendl, M., & Murrell, J. C. (2022). Associations between osteoarthritis and duration and quality of night-time rest in dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 253, 105661. 

Karpiński, M., Alchimowicz, K., Wojtaś, J., Łojszczyk, A., Garbiec, A., (2021). Importance of behavioral changes in identification of chronic pain and its causes in dogs – case report. Acta Sci. Pol. Zootechnica, 20(1), 55–60.

Tynes, V. V., & Sinn, L. (2014). Abnormal repetitive behaviors in dogs and cats: a guide for practitioners. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 44(3), 543-564.

Mills, D. S., Demontigny-Bédard, I., Gruen, M., Klinck, M. P., McPeake, K. J., Barcelos, A. M., … & Levine, E. (2020). Pain and problem behavior in cats and dogs. Animals, 10(2), 318.

Shihab, N., Bowen, J., & Volk, H. A. (2011). Behavioral changes in dogs associated with the development of idiopathic epilepsy. Epilepsy & Behavior, 21(2), 160-167.

Levitin, H., Hague, D. W., Ballantyne, K. C., & Selmic, L. E. (2019). Behavioral changes in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy compared to other medical populations. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 6, 396.

Watson, F., Packer, R. M. A., Rusbridge, C., & Volk, H. A. (2020). Behavioural changes in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. Veterinary Record, 186(3), 93-93.