Over the years, I have seen countless cases where a pet’s behavior has pushed families to the edge. These families have often already worked with multiple trainers, spent thousands of dollars on board-and-train programs, and poured their hearts into doing what they believed was best. But still, the behavior worsened. The frustration, heartbreak, and guilt these owners feel are palpable when I explain that the root of the problem is not behavioral at all. It is medical.
It is easy to forget that our pets are living beings who feel physical discomfort just as we do. When we humans are in pain or feel unwell, we are often more irritable, short-tempered, and emotionally fragile. We may snap at loved ones over small things, withdraw from social interaction, or feel overwhelming anxiety. Our pets are no different. They too lash out, retreat, or seem “not themselves” when they are experiencing pain or internal illness. Unfortunately, unlike us, they cannot explain what they are feeling.
Recent studies have shown that up to 60 percent of dogs and cats presented to board-certified veterinary behaviorists for behavior issues have undiagnosed orthopedic pain. An additional 26 percent are suffering from systemic illness. This means that a staggering 86 percent of behavior problems have an underlying medical cause. That is a number we simply cannot ignore.
Let’s consider aggression, one of the most misunderstood and emotionally charged behavior issues. Imagine a seven-year-old Labrador Retriever who suddenly begins to growl at the children in the home and snap at the other dog he used to play with. The family is devastated. In an effort to help, they invest in a six-week board-and-train program. Yet when the dog returns, not only is the aggression worse, but the dog also seems fearful and withdrawn. What the training program missed entirely was the dog’s chronic back pain and developing osteoarthritis. No trainer, regardless of their credentials, can teach a dog to be happy and pain-free. Until the medical issue is identified and properly managed, behavioral interventions are simply not going to be effective.
Fear-based behaviors are another red flag that something medical may be going on. A dog that suddenly starts reacting fearfully to people, noises, or environments it previously tolerated may be experiencing discomfort that is making it more vulnerable. A pet in pain feels less secure. Sudden fear can emerge when something as seemingly invisible as nerve pain or gastrointestinal distress is present.
Separation anxiety is another heartbreaking condition that is often misunderstood. While anxiety can certainly have emotional roots, it is critical to recognize that it is frequently worsened by or even caused by physical discomfort. A dog with untreated arthritis may dread the owner’s departure because they are left unable to reposition themselves comfortably. A dog with gastrointestinal pain may become frantic when left alone because there is no one to comfort them while they experience abdominal cramping. A dog with untreated hypothyroidism may have trouble regulating their emotions entirely, making every absence feel like abandonment.
It is also important to understand that certain medical conditions directly impact the brain and can dramatically alter behavior. Liver disease, diabetes, low thyroid levels, and brain tumors are well-documented contributors to aggression and anxiety. A dog with a brain tumor may suddenly develop unpredictable aggression. A diabetic dog with unstable blood sugar levels may become irritable, lethargic, or even disoriented. These are not training problems. These are medical emergencies masquerading as behavior issues.
This is why collaboration between trainers, veterinarians, and behavior professionals is so essential. If your dog is struggling with aggression, anxiety, fear, or any other significant change in behavior, your first stop should not be a training program. It should be your veterinarian. And not just a routine check-up. These cases often require advanced diagnostics, pain assessments, and sometimes referrals to veterinary behaviorists or practitioners who understand the profound connection between health and behavior.
If you are currently navigating the challenges of a behaviorally complex dog, know this: you are not alone, and it is not your fault. Our pets do not come with manuals, and you can only work with the information you have at the time. But what we must all do as caregivers is remain open to the possibility that what looks like “bad behavior” may actually be a cry for help.
Pain changes behavior. Illness changes perception. And love means being willing to dig deeper when training alone is not enough.
If your dog is struggling with separation anxiety, fear, or aggression, do not wait. Seek guidance from a dog behaviorist, a veterinary behaviorist, or a veterinary behavior practitioner. Together, we can uncover the real reasons behind your dog’s behavior and begin the journey toward healing — both emotional and physical.
Amanda Hall-Phillips, DVM
Veterinary Behavior Practitioner
Serving Valdosta GA, Thomasville GA, Tifton GA, and Tallahassee FL
