Divergent Dog Behavior

08/04/2024

Find us at Midland's first Pride event, June 22nd 2024.

Well would you look at that! Another awesome sponsor on our team 😎 (Or should I say PAWsome...)
It's Divergent Dog Behaviour! 🐾

Divergent dog behavior has a wealth of valuable information on their instagram

12/03/2024

Training your dog or modifying difficult behavior is hard. It is normal for change to take time. It is not normal to spend your time, money and energy spinning your tires in place, until you're burnt out.

Our consultation delves deep into your dog's physical health, mental well-being, and lifestyle.
• Explore your dog's behavior history to understand where you've been.
• Have an honest chat about your expectations and where you're headed.
• Assess your dog for signs of pain to ensure they're ready to learn.
• Peek into your home and lifestyle to tailor recommendations to fit your needs.

Get actionable insights and personalized tips that work for your dog and you. Because ethical training isn't just kind and evidence-based, it ensures every dollar, every moment, and every ounce of your energy is well spent.

Ready to embark on a happier, healthier life with your dog? Schedule your Behavior & Wellness consultation here:

During these specialized consultations, our experienced behavior consultant will delve deep into your dog's lifestyle and routine. We meticulously examine various facets of your dog's life, including physical health, exercise regimen, mental stimulation, and environment. By understanding your dog's

18/01/2024

Our year-long puppy program is for dog guardians who are not fu***ng around. You are here to take your puppy parenting to the next level, because you know your "good dog" won't just happen.

Deep Dive into Socialization: ever felt lost or overwhelmed trying to socialize your pup? We're here to break it down. No more hoping your pup becomes confident & optimistic. We're going to make sure of it.

Nothing Basic About It: you and your pup are not basic, and neither should your education. Pupology program nurtures a badass bond between you & your four-legged rebel.

No More Quick Fix Bu****it: you cannot train a puppy in 4-6 classes you rush to after work. Pupology program grows with your puppy, tackling every fun and frustrating phase of puppyhood.

Personalized Support: your learning & support needs deserve more than a one-size-fits-all strategy. Get exactly what you need to succeed during the turbulent journey of raising your best friend.

Kind Methods: this program is for puppy parents who are raising their best friend, not programming a robot. Learn to live harmoniously with your pup, without squashing their personality with punishment.

If you are ready to step into your role as an empowered puppy parent, schedule a discovery call to learn more!
https://calendly.com/divergentdog/pupology-discovery-call

22/09/2023

First, These lists are not exhaustive. They are merely to demonstrate the subtle constellation of chronic pain indicators. Second, few of these only indicate pain. Similar to body language, the signs need to be contextualized.

Finally, no. I don't know if your dog's behavior is a sign of pain. If you are worried your dog is experiencing chronic pain schedule a Behavior & Wellness Consultation.
• In-depth assessment of your dog's behavior history, lifestyle, environment, and body appearance.
• Video Consult to discuss assessment findings & ask clarifying questions.
• Collaborate on a non-pharmacological approach to pain management.
• Edit videos to maximize usefulness for vets & spreadsheet of what signs were observed in each video.
• Create concise document organizing signs of pain.

Learn more and schedule your consult - link in bio!

Disclaimer: I am not a vet. I cannot diagnose or treat your dog. I can identify if your dog is in pain and recommend evidence-based, non-medical interventions for improving welfare.



Slide 1) Animal Pain Awareness Month.
How Do You Know if Your Dog is in Pain? Behind text is a photo of a tan boxer lying on a dog bed with their head resting on their front paws.

Slide 2) Changes.
Increase / Decrease in: > Frequency.
> Intensity.
> Quality.
Hesitating or refusing to engage.
New or Excessive.

Slide 3) Behavioral Changes.
Appetite/Thirst.
Self-Grooming.
Resource Guarding.
On-Leash “Reactivity”.
Barking at environmental stimuli.
Jumping & Mouthing.
Rest, Sleep, Awake Routine.
Panting without heat/exercise.

Slide 4) “Dogs do tell us, they tell us exactly. They just tell us differently.” Dr. Sarah Heath. CAM Live: Pain and Behavior (2020). Behind text is a brindle boxer lying on a dog bed with their bead resting on their front paws.

Slide 5) Gait & Posture
Pace/Amble Vs. Walk/Trot.
Standing with a leg out like a bike kickstand.
Stretching head out/down when standing.
Skipping while trotting.
Sloppy sits.
“Splooting”.
Tail height & wagging.

Slide 6) Capability.
Pulling themselves up out of a sit/down with their front legs.
Winding up before jumping.
Weight negotiating.
Ability to climb up/down stairs.
Position while eating & chewing.
Duration & speed of walks.
Ability to reach itches.

Slide 7) Appearance.
Changes in muscle tone.
Tension in face & ears.
New flicks or ridges of fur.
Localized fluffier fur.
Wear pattern on nails & paw pads.

Slide 8) “The behavioural changes associated with chronic pain may develop gradually and may be subtle, so that they can only be detected by someone familiar with the animal (usually the caregiver).”
2022 WSAVA guidelines for the recognition, assessment and treatment of pain. Behind text is a photo of a red, black and white boxer lying on a couch with their front paws and head hanging off the edge.

Burton, B., & Fraser, S. (2020 July). The Sticky Interaction Between Medical Issues and Behavior with Dr. Chris Pachel (Episode 12). Dog Unknown.

Canine Arthritis Management > Managing Arthritis > Owner Identification of pain. https://caninearthritis.co.uk/managing-arthritis/owner-identification-of-pain/

Dycus, D., & Capon, H. (2020, April 28). Cam live: Identifying arthritis earlier and taking a preventative approach. YouTube. (Unlisted). Canine Arthritis Management.

Heath, S., & Capon, H. (2020, April 28). CAM Live: Pain & behavior. Youtube (Unlisted). Canine Arthritis Management.

Hodson, G., & Bell, N. (2021, March 16). Cam live: Posture, gait analysis and free work with Gemma Hodson. YouTube.

The International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM). https://ivapm.org/animal-owners/animal-pain-awareness/

Lopes Fagundes, A. L., Hewison, L., McPeake, K. J., Zulch, H., & Mills, D. S. (2018). Noise sensitivities in dogs: an exploration of signs in dogs with and without musculoskeletal pain using qualitative content analysis. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 5, 17.

Mills, D., & Capon, H. (2021, March 31). CAM Live: Pain and behavior in dogs. YouTube.

Mills DS, et al Pain and Problem Behavior in Cats and Dogs. Animals. 2020; 10(2):318. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020318

Mills , D. (2021). Pain & Problem Behaviors . Lemonade Conference .

Monteiro, B. P., Lascelles, B. D., Murrell, J., Robertson, S., Steagall, P. V., & Wright, B. (2022). 2022 WSAVA guidelines for the recognition, assessment and treatment of pain. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 64(4), 177–254. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13566

St.Clair, J. (2023, June 20). Dog splooting: Cute dog stretching or cause for concern?. TopDog Health. https://topdoghealth.com/dog-splooting/

21/09/2023

Johnny Knoxville and Steve-o made a career out of getting seriously, even traumatically injured, for fun. Lots of sports are people voluntarily getting the s**t hit, kicked, and choked out of them, for fun.

Even you and I have decided to forge ahead with an activity knowing damn well it's going to hurt, for fun.

Getting tattoos and piercings.
Hang overs.
Hiking on a sprained ankle.

And we have advanced cognitive processes. Dogs do not share these cognitive abilities.

• Moment-by-moment pain is a competing motivator. Bend neck to drink water or stay thirsty. Seek social contact on the couch or stay alone on the floor. Basic needs will supersede avoiding pain until they're in severe pain.

• Pain and dopamine have a complex relationship. TLDR; dopamine plays a pivotal role in motivation. Dogs are going to do The Thing if it leads to dopamine. Over time, chronic pain leads to decreased dopamine activity. When a dog loses interest in an activity, the value of it is unchanged. Their motivation system to do things is dysfunctional.

• Stress Induced Analgesia - under stress (a trigger or from high impact exercise like fetch), the brain releases cortisol and adrenalin. These brain chemicals temporarily decrease pain sensitivity.

• The painful consequences often don't rear their ugly head until hours later. Far too disconnected from the activity for the dog to make an association.

• Humans train their dogs to hide pain. As evidence-based professionals we're familiar with pseudoscience practitioners using prong, choke, and shock to shut down dogs. However, using positive reinforcement to teach a dog to hide pain is every bit as sinister.

Your dog's willingness to participate in an activity is not a reliable indicator of their pain state.



Slide 1) If an activity causes your dog pain, they won’t do it. True or False? Behind text is a photo of a yellow lab jumping up in tall grass, with their tongue hanging out.

Slide 2) False!
A dogs willingness to engage in an activity is not a reliable indicator of how much pain the activity causes them.

Given our species propensity for pain based sport & humor, we shouldn’t be surprised.

Slide 3) "I don’t think we ever detect mild pain in the vet clinic. I genuinely think we are really bad at detecting mild to moderate pain, and we're only able to detect moderate to severe pain." - Dr. Kathy Murphy. CAM Live - The Neuroscience of Pain. Behind text is a photo of a border collie jumping and running erratically after a frisbee.

Slide 4) Why?
Competing motivations.
Species typical behaviors lead to the release of dopamine.
Stress induced analgesia.
Painful consequences too disconnected from behavior.
Trained to hide pain.

Slide 5) “Dysregulation in dopamine signaling may modulate the experience of pain both directly, by enhancing or diminishing the propagation of nociceptive signals, and indirectly, by influencing affective and cognitive processes, which affect the expectation, experience, and interpretation of nociceptive signals.” Jarcho, J. M., Mayer, E. A., Jiang, Z. K., Feier, N. A., & London, E. D. (2012). Pain, affective symptoms, and cognitive deficits in patients with cerebral dopamine dysfunction. PAIN®, 153(4), 744-754. Behind text is a photo of a border collie jumping into the air to catch a frisbee.

Sources:

Ambron, R. (2022). The brain and pain: Breakthroughs in neuroscience. Columbia University Press.

Heath, S., & Capon, H. (2020, April 28). CAM Live: Pain & behavior. Youtube (Unlisted). Canine Arthritis Management.

Jarcho, J. M., Mayer, E. A., Jiang, Z. K., Feier, N. A., & London, E. D. (2012). Pain, affective symptoms, and cognitive deficits in patients with cerebral dopamine dysfunction. PAIN®, 153(4), 744-754.

Murphy, K., & Capon, H. (2021, November 17). Pain and neuroscience. Canine Arthritis Management https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis/videos/361425985734208

Murphy, K., & Capon, H. (2019, September 19). The issue of ball throwing!. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis/videos/490402398182831

Murphy, K., & Capon, H. (2019, September 12). All about dopamine!!: “they wouldn’t do it if it hurt..” yes they would!! and this is why! Facebook. Canine Arthritis Management. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=622331888174881

Taylor AMW, Becker S, Schweinhardt P, Cahill C. Mesolimbic dopamine signaling in acute and chronic pain: implications for motivation, analgesia, and addiction. Pain. 2016 Jun;157(6):1194-1198. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000494. PMID: 26797678; PMCID: PMC4866581.

20/09/2023

As far as I am concerned, ACE Free Work (created by Sarah Fisher) is an essential skill for all dog professionals & guardians. It is impressively multi-faceted.

On the surface it is a very thorough, accessible, and affordable way to meet any dog's needs.
• Can be made entirely from things you have already & tailored to suit literally any dog.
• Fantastic for dogs in pain and/or "reactive".
• Pair with conversational training to craft choice-based training sessions.

However, Free Work is way more than that.

Free work can address behavior concerns.
• Engages the SEEKING system, leading to dopamine, a feel-good neurotransmitter.
• Nose work improves optimism.
• Provides opportunity to exercise control, which improves confidence.

Most relevant, Free Work can be used to identify signs of pain & discomfort and improve musculoskeletal health with appropriate exercise.
• What activities does your dog choose? In what order?
• How do they engage with different activities? What does their posture look like when standing or laying down with each activity?
• Looking for abnormalities or changes in gait, posture, capabilities, coat changes, and preferences.
• Promoting positive emotions, empowerment and movement help improve pain.

Broad Strokes How-To:
1) Prepare a few enrichment activities for your dog. Use different foods (eg: texture, flavor, consistency).
2) Include non-food enrichment, especially for reactive or painful dogs who can’t go for walks or play dates anymore.
3) Arrange these activities at different heights (eg: floor, big book, small box).
4) Place different surfaces (eg: yoga mat, faux grass, bubble wrap).
5) Offer water in the free work space.
6) Remove your dog's collar & harness (as much as safely possible).
7) Let 'em go AND OBSERVE.



Slide 1) Proactive Pain Management Tip.
ACE Free Work. Behind text is a photo of a scruffy white and tan terrier working at a wood composite Nina Ottoson, level one puzzle.

Slide 2) What is Free Work?
TL:DR - an Enrichment buffet, but more thoughtful.
Animal Centered Care (ACE) created by Sarah Fisher.
Free Work provides dogs with the opportunity to engage with a variety of stimuli, as they see fit.
Free Work provides us with the opportunity to closely observe our dogs.

Slide 3) Three-Fold Benefits:
1) Well-rounded, accessible, affordable enrichment.
2) Address behavior concerns.
3) Identify pain & discomfort. Behind text is a photo of a tan, medium sized dog working on a snuffle mat.

Slide 4) Criteria for Free Work.
Incorporates all dog’s senses, including proprioception, interoception & balance.
Tailor to meet your dog’s physical, emotional and cognitive abilities.
As Nakey As Possible (the dog).
Offer water in free work space.
Observe your dog.

Slide 5) “The emotional component of pain is what gets in the way of our willingness to engage with life. And we really want our patients, our dogs and cats, to engage in life, to engage in the human-animal bond. If they’re suffering, if they have that emotional component of pain, they’re not going to be able to engage in life.” Ralph Harvey, DVM, MS, DACVAA. Behind text is a photo of a white and tan Jack Russell Terrier licking off a plate.

Sources:

Batson, A., & Capon, H. (2022, October 12). CAM LIVE: Enrichment for canines with osteoarthritis. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYUetWlppiA&list=PL36es_JbeNrYTmMlAtcXaKmmV-tHkakmC&index=39

Finaly, J. (2022, August 5). Geeking ACE Exploring some of the science behind ACE. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6D3fidN088

Fisher, S. (2021, April 2). CAM LIVE: ACE and freework techniques . YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S61q5CT1i1c&list=PL36es_JbeNrYTmMlAtcXaKmmV-tHkakmC&index=145

Fisher, S. Free Course - Watch This SpACE. Animal Centred Education. https://animalcentrededucation.teachable.com/p/watch-this-space

Kasperowicz, D. (2021, July 28). CAM LIVE: Canine enrichment’s role in managing osteoarthritis. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6wTCs1eNyY&list=PL36es_JbeNrYTmMlAtcXaKmmV-tHkakmC&index=121

19/09/2023

There are numerous barriers to diagnosing and treating pain in dogs, but they all have the same throughline:

Humans like neat & tidy boxes. We like clear cut binaries. We like simple, and chronic pain is anything but simple.

One of these boxes is how we expect dogs in chronic pain to present.
• Guardians and professionals alike demand dog's present with significant decreases in quality of life before investigating pain.
• Despite stress-induced analgesia being well-documented, dogs who still play fetch or present as "fine" in clinic are overlooked.
• We associate pain with the inevitability of aging and dismiss it as "slowing down."

The second box is the clear cut binaries people want out of diagnostics.
• "These aren't signs of pain, these are behavior problems. You need to train your dog better." Real words vets have said to my clients.
• Confirming the presence of pain is not the same as diagnosing the primary condition. Clean x-Rays and other physical tests do not rule out if the dog is in pain or determine severity of pain.
• Frameworks for assessing dog pain, such as the Helsinki Index, ARE behavior assessments. Pain medication trial is the tool to confirm whether a dog is in pain.

Finally, we have our rigid ideas about how pain should be treated.
• Veterinary medicine focuses on prevention in many ways (eg: vaccines, spay/neuter, anti-parasitic), osteoarthritis is not one of them.
• WSAVA recommends pain being treated as the 4th vital sign, investigated with the same regularity and consistent tool as heart rate, temperature or respiration. However, most people have never received a formal means of measuring their dogs pain.
• Pain medication is important, but it is not the end-all, be-all. Pain management must include strategies that not only reduce pain, but prevent further harm and improve other aspects of welfare.

Check out Divergent Dog Behavior's Behavior & Wellness Consultations to see how I can help you overcome some of these hurdles.



Slide 1) Animal Pain Awareness Month. Why is Pain Under Diagnosed & Untreated? Behind text is a photo of a black and white Border Collie running along a sandy shoreline.

Slide 2) The Dog.
• Cannot communicate directly that they’re in pain.
• “3 Legs and a Spare.”
• Hiding pain is a survival skill.
• Don’t know there’s another option.
• Stress-induced analgesia.
• Continue to engage in painful behaviors.

Slide 3) “There are no geographic limitations to the occurrence of pain, nor to the ability to recognize it. The only limiting factors are awareness, education, and a commitment to include pain assessment in every physical examination.” 2022 WSAVA guidelines for the recognition, assessment and treatment of pain. Behind text is a photo of a tan and white, young dog running towards the camera.

Slide 4) The Dog Guardian.
• Cognitive Dissonance.
• Believe their dog is “too young”.
• Believe “slowing down” is normal.
• Fear of NSAIDs & meds in general.
• Chronic pain often presents as significant behavior struggles.
• Lack of accessible education.

Slide 5) “Preventive and multi-modal analgesia should always be considered.

Pain perception is influenced by numerous internal and external factors including the social and physical environment.

Treatment of pain should always include pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies.”

2022 WSAVA guidelines for the recognition, assessment and treatment of pain. Behind text is a photo of a white and tan fluffy dog in an orange harness, running towards the camera.

Slide 6) The Vet.
• Industry in crisis; time constraints.
• Lack of knowledge regarding pain & behavior.
• Unrealistic expectations of dog guardians.
• Difficulties educating guardians.
• Do not implement consistent methods for tracking pain.
• Conflate diagnosing pain with diagnosing disease state.

Slide 7) “Chronic or maladaptive pain can be associated with a primary condition, or it can exist by itself.” 2022 WSAVA guidelines for the recognition, assessment and treatment of pain. Behind text is a photo of a black, scruffy dog running through a dried, grassy field.

Belshaw, Z., Dean, R., & Asher, L. (2020). Could it be osteoarthritis? How dog owners and veterinary surgeons describe identifying canine osteoarthritis in a general practice setting. Preventive veterinary medicine, 185, 105198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105198

Belshaw, Z., Asher, L., & Dean, R. S. (2016). The attitudes of owners and veterinary professionals in the United Kingdom to the risk of adverse events associated with using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat dogs with osteoarthritis. Preventive veterinary medicine, 131, 121–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.07.017

Budsberg, S. C., Torres, B. T., Kleine, S. A., Sandberg, G. S., & Berjeski, A. K. (2018). Lack of effectiveness of tramadol hydrochloride for the treatment of pain and joint dysfunction in dogs with chronic osteoarthritis. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 252(4), 427-432. Retrieved Sep 18, 2023, from https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.252.4.427

Canine Arthritis Management Advocate Program

Dycus, D., & Capon, H. (2020, April 28). Cam live: Identifying arthritis earlier and taking a preventative approach. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFOyqCFyDlw

Mannion, P., & Capon, H. (2020, May 15). Cam live: The role of imaging in canine arthritis management. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx5P8pb5UVg

Mills DS, et al Pain and Problem Behavior in Cats and Dogs. Animals. 2020; 10(2):318. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020318

Mills , D. (2021). Pain & Problem Behaviors . Lemonade Conference .

Monteiro, B. P., Lascelles, B. D., Murrell, J., Robertson, S., Steagall, P. V., & Wright, B. (2022). 2022 WSAVA guidelines for the recognition, assessment and treatment of pain. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 64(4), 177–254. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13566

Roberts, C., Armson, B., Bartram, D., Belshaw, Z., Capon, H., Cherry, G., Gonzalez Villeta, L., McIntyre, S. L., Odeyemi, I., & Cook, A. (2021). Construction of a Conceptual Framework for Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life in Dogs With Osteoarthritis. Frontier.

St.Clair, J. The pain trial concept for dogs: What is it and why is it important?. Grey Muzzle. https://www.greymuzzle.org/grey-matters/common-health-issues/pain-trial-concept-dogs-what-it-and-why-it-important-dr-james-st

15/09/2023

Abnormal dog gaits (patterns of locomotion) have become normalized, instead of being recognized as subtle signs of pain. This has led to limping being held up as The Sign of joint and muscle pain. However, limping is a last resort.

• It is incredibly inefficient, uncomfortable and vulnerable way to move through the world.

• Since dogs have 4 legs, they have a myriad of other ways to compensate before needing to limp.

• Limping is more closely associated with significant, acute pain (eg: cruciate ligament tear, broken bone, open wound).

• When limping presents in chronic pain, it is because the dog can no longer compensate in other ways.

• Compensatory movements cause tissue damage and pain.

Gait and movement changes related to chronic musculoskeletal pain are often much more subtle. Too subtle to identify while observing a dog in real-time. Most early signs of discomfort need to be recorded the rewatched in slow motion & frame-by-frame.

If you are concerned your dog is experiencing chronic pain, schedule a behavior & wellness consultation at the (link emoji) in my bio.
• Deep dive into your dog's physical wellness, behavioral history, enrichment, environment and routines.
• You will get wellness tips and training advice that prioritize proactive pain management.
• You also leave with a "Suspicion of Pain" document that details signs your dog could be experiencing pain to help you advocate for your dog.

Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian. I cannot diagnose or treat your dog, nor am I replacement for veterinary advice. My professional wheelhouse is careful, time intensive observation of dog behavior. Limitations on observing dogs is a significant barrier to vets identifying chronic pain in your dog.



Slide 1) True or false? If your dog is experiencing muscle or joint pain they will always limp. Below text are two boxes, one labelled "true" one "false". Behind text is a photo of a white, femme presenting person walking a white fluffy dog on leash in a grassy field.

Slide 2) False.
Limping is...
Sign of significant pain.
More associated with acute pain (eg: sudden injury).
When chronic pain presents as limping, the dog has been suffering for a while.

Slide 3) “Dogs are born with three legs and a spare.” Dr. Greg Ogilvie. Behind text is a photo of Gamma the Tripod. Gamma is a three-legged, mixed breed dog. He kind of looks like if the velveteen rabbit was a golden retriever, and Gamma was a toy golden retriever who was loved so much he came to life.

Slide 4) Three legs and a spare…
Meant to encourage dog guardians faced with amputation.
Dogs are incredibly adaptable.
This adaptability is a barrier to early identification of pain.
Compensatory movements cause more tissue damage & pain.

Slide 5) Canine Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic pain condition AND a leading cause of elective euthanasia. Canine Arthritis Management. Behind the text is a photo of Tucker. He grey, senior Standard Poodle standing in a snowy field among sparse, dried grass.

Slide 6) “The greatest improvements in health and longevity will come from understanding and manipulating the core mechanisms of aging well before clinical disease develops.” Brennen McKenzie, VMD, MSc, MA. Behind text is s photo of Ellie, a 10 year old Mini Australian Shepherd. She is standing in a grassy field, staring at the camera in anticipation.

Sources:

Canine Arthritis Management > Managing Arthritis > Owner Identification of pain. https://caninearthritis.co.uk/managing-arthritis/owner-identification-of-pain/

Hodson, G., & Bell, N. (2021, March 16). Cam live: Posture, gait analysis and free work with Gemma Hodson. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FftK1SYWys

McKenzie, B. (2022). Is aging a disease? DVM360, 53(3), 25. https://doi.org/https://www.dvm360.com/view/is-aging-a-disease-

Mills DS, et al Pain and Problem Behavior in Cats and Dogs. Animals. 2020; 10(2):318. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020318

Mills , D. (2021). Pain & Problem Behaviors . Lemonade Conference .

Monteiro, B. P., Lascelles, B. D., Murrell, J., Robertson, S., Steagall, P. V., & Wright, B. (2022). 2022 WSAVA guidelines for the recognition, assessment and treatment of pain. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 64(4), 177–254. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13566

15/09/2023

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"After following Klarissa for years on social media, we finally engaged their Behaviour & Wellness Consult services. We suspected our deeply complex Boxer, Frankie was experiencing some undiagnosed pain - given Frankie doesn't show pain signals at the vet - any sort of diagnosis or medical procedures are really tricky.

Klarissa was so helpful and thorough - from their well designed and considered forms + templates, to the follow up appointment discussing their observations. We felt so at ease with their feedback and advice. It was really validating (but also devastating) to have my suspicions confirmed - that Frankie was experiencing pain.

After our appointment, we were able to provide resources and information to our vet - who don't normally get to see Frankie displaying the movements that would indicate pain. We are about to go down the pain med trial route, after our vet was able to see the subtle pain indications Klarissa pointed out in the video footage we provided them.

We are based in Aotearoa New Zealand, so it was incredibly helpful to have this service be accessible through an online consultation. I would recommend Klarissa to any dog guardian! The lengths they go to to their space safe, information and accessible are unmatched. Thank you Klarissa, we are so grateful for you."

- Rebekah Dorman-Sickler & Frankie.

https://g.co/kgs/TKKHFy

15/09/2023

The quantity & quality of your dog's sleep can make or break your pain management plan.

Poor quality or a lack of sleep causes…
• Pain neurons to fire more readily, leading to increase sensitivity.
• Negative emotional states & increase in perceiving stimuli as aversive.
• Increases appetite, leading to weight gain & eating foreign objects.
• Decrease in serotonin - the primary feel good brain chemical.
• Vulnerability to pain further decreases sleep quality & quantity.

Promoting healthy sleep hygiene for our dogs is an affordable & accessible way to improve pain management.

• Offer opportunities to sleep near you - dogs are social sleepers.

• Since joint disease is the leading cause of chronic pain for dogs, a sleeping space that is physically accessible is essential:
> A firm, flat mat or raised bed is ideal.
> Edges, blankets, and soft surfaces can make moving painful &
potentially dangerous.
> They need to be able to lay flat out to get proper sleep.
> Continue to offer a softer or blanket filled bed so they can choose
what need they want to fulfill.

• Use an activity tracker, because it's unrealistic to monitor their sleep manually.
> Dogs sleep mostly when we're not home or sleeping ourselves.
> Resting while awake is species typical behavior & can be difficult
to discern from sleeping.
> It collects & organizes data - an important, but boring task.
> Basic trackers have become more affordable.

"Klarissa, my dog sleeps fine!"

How do you know? Sleep is as necessary for life as breathing. Your dog's body will force them to sleep to survive. This does not mean they are getting health promoting sleep.



Slide 1) Proactive Pain Management Tip. Promoting Good Sleep Hygiene. Behind text is a photo of an apricot toy poodle laying on a flat, blanket free orthopedic dog bed.

Slide 2) Sleep plays a pivotal role in pain management.
1) Pain interferes with sleep.
2) Poor sleep for any reason, increases sensitivity to pain.
3) A vicious cycle ensues.

Slide 3) 86% of dogs will choose to sleep near their guardians or other dogs if given the opportunity. (Kinsman et al, 2020). Behind text is a photo of a white French bulldog lying in a round, fluffy bed.

Slide 4) Quantity of sleep is not the criteria that is difficult to meet.
• Quality of sleep is often neglected.
• Social sleepers.
• Polyphasic - bursts of sleep. Often interrupted in busy homes.
• Physical space + environment must support species sleep needs.

Slide 5) “My dog sleeps fine.” Your dog doesn’t have a choice. Not sleeping is not an option. Behind text is a photo of a short-haired dapple dachshund sleeping in bed with a fluffy blanket.

Slide 6) Identifying Quality & Quantity of Sleep.
Quantity: need 10-14 hours per day. Resting does not count.
Quality: must by lying flat.
• Observable sleep cycles of approximately 80 minutes.
• Periods of very slow breathing.
• Sleep boofs & “bunny chasing”.

Slide 7) Promoting good sleep hygiene for your dog is an affordable & accessible way to MASSIVELY improve your dog’s pain. Behind text is a photo of a white and tan fluffy dog sleeping in a bed.

Sources:

Batson, A., & Capon, H. (2021a, April 22). Cam live: Sleep quality and chronic pain part 1 with Amber Batson. Facebook. https://fb.watch/n2UEPD1SWE/

Batson, A., & Capon, H. (2021, May 5). Cam live: Sleep quality and chronic pain part 2 with Amber Batson. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2DTNOggwSA

Canine Arthritis Management. (2017, July 18). In silence by canine arthritis management. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5_FeWt4T_I

https://caninearthritis.co.uk/managing-arthritis/what-can-be-done/

Kinsman, R., Owczarczak-Garstecka, S., Casey, R., Knowles, T., Tasker, S., Woodward, J., Da Costa, R., et al. (2020). Sleep Duration and Behaviours: A Descriptive Analysis of a Cohort of Dogs up to 12 Months of Age. Animals, 10(7), 1172. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani10071172

Lautenbacher, S., Kundermann, B., & Krieg, J. C. (2006). Sleep deprivation and pain perception. Sleep medicine reviews, 10(5), 357-369.

Weir, M., Williams , K., & Downing, R. (n.d.). Helping your dog with osteoarthritis: VCA Canada Animal Hospitals. VCA Canada. https://vcacanada.com/know-your-pet/helping-your-dog-with-osteoarthritis.