27/09/2025
Beyond Behaviour: Understanding the Hidden Struggles of Our Dogs
(With permission from owners to post)
When we see a dog who appears "difficult," reactive, or anxious, our first instinct might be to focus on training and behaviour modification. But what if the barking, the pulling, the fearfulness, or the aggression isn't just a training issue? What if there's something deeper—something medical—driving these behaviours?
• There's Always a Reason
Every behaviour serves a purpose. Dogs don't act out of spite or stubbornness—they communicate through their actions, and sometimes what looks like "misbehaviour" is actually a cry for help. Pain, neurological conditions, hormonal imbalances, or other health issues can manifest as behavioural problems long before physical symptoms become obvious.
As responsible dog owners, we must look beyond surface behaviours and consider the whole picture. This means working with professionals who understand the intricate connection between physical health and behaviour—trainers, behaviourists, and veterinarians who recognise when to pause training and investigate further.
• Meg's Story: A Lesson in Compassion
Over the past few months, I had the privilege of working with a sweet dog named Megan. From our initial sessions, something felt different. While we could have proceeded with training approaches, careful observation of her movement patterns and discussions with her devoted family revealed warning signs that couldn't be ignored.
Megan's behaviours weren't stemming from lack of training or socialisation—they were manifestations of something happening internally, likely neurological in nature. recognising this, we made the ethical decision to halt training and focus on medical investigation instead.
*You cannot train away pain*. You cannot modify behaviour caused by neurological dysfunction. To attempt to do so would not only be ineffective but fundamentally unethical.
• The Heartbreaking Reality
Despite exhaustive efforts from her family and medical team, Megan's condition proved to be progressive and needed further investigation to a full and proper diagnosis. Faced with declining quality of life and the prospect of invasive testing through specialist teams, that would cause additional stress and discomfort, the difficult decision was made to let her go peacefully.
It is important for me to note that Megan's family loved her completely and provided her with the best possible care throughout her journey. She couldn't have asked for more devoted guardians who put her wellbeing above all else, even when it meant making the hardest choice of all. They tried all they could.
• A Call for Awareness
Megan's story isn't unique—it's happening to dogs everywhere. Too often, behavioural issues are addressed with training alone, while underlying medical conditions go undiagnosed. Dogs suffer in silence, and their families struggle with behaviours that no amount of training can fix.
This is why it's crucial to:
- Choose professionals wisely. Work with trainers and behaviourists who understand the medical component of behaviour and know when to refer to veterinary professionals.
- Trust your instincts. If something feels "off" about your dog's behaviour, even if you can't pinpoint exactly what, advocate for thorough medical evaluation under veterinary supervision. You know your dog more than anyone else and spend most of your time with them.
- Look beyond the surface. Consider your dog's entire lifestyle, movement patterns, and behavioural history. Sometimes the clues are subtle but significant.
- Prioritise welfare over quick fixes. It may be tempting to push forward with training, but sometimes the most compassionate choice is to step back and investigate further.
• Honouring Megan's Legacy
Though Megan's time was brief, her impact continues. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that our dogs depend on us to be their advocates, to look beyond behaviour to the root causes, and to make decisions based on their wellbeing rather than our convenience.
Every dog deserves what Megan had—a family willing to see beyond the surface, professionals committed to ethical practice, and the compassion to make difficult decisions when necessary.
Let's honour dogs like Megan by spreading awareness, choosing our support teams carefully, and always remembering that behind every behaviour is a living, feeling being who deserves our understanding, not just our training.
In memory of sweet Meg, whose brief life taught us so much about love, advocacy, and doing right by our four-legged family members. ❤️
