How Can Trainers Help My Pet In Pain?

Pet owners used to have the notion that training is a “luxury,” like pain management and therapy since animals seem to get by just fine without these. Today, though, more owners are recognizing the need to provide improvements to pets’ lives.

However, owners might still miss signs of pain in pets. Of course, any pet owner will rush to their furry friend if it is whimpering in distress or howling in pain. Sometimes, though, pets suffering from chronic conditions will not be this vocal. Dog training can extend beyond helping pets develop behaviours; it can also assist owners in identifying possible medical issues and preventing them from getting worse.

How can behaviourists help with pain management?

For trainers, your pet’s comfort is the priority. Pain stresses pets out, which could lead to even more anxiety and produce a negative feedback loop. A trainer can identify and describe pets’ observable behaviour. This lets them accurately capture impressions for veterinarians to use as a jump-off point for consultations.

For example, instead of saying that a dog’s gait is “weird,” a behaviourist can write that the pet is not bearing his full weight on his rear left leg. This is more descriptive and allows the specialist to isolate the issue. Since a trainer sees a pet more frequently than a veterinarian, they can gauge if this is typical behaviour for this animal or not. 

When undesirable behaviours suddenly emerge, a trainer is often the first person a pet owner consults. For instance, if a dog keeps peeing on the rug or anywhere outside their normal spot, their owner would usually pick up the phone and ask a trainer to help them teach their dog how to stop. Though this is reasonable, many people fail to consider that there could be an underlying medical component to the condition.

Are there other ways dog training prevents illnesses?

After a dog gets referred to a vet and put on a pain management program, behaviourists can use their observation skills to help clients monitor further changes in the pet. A dog’s behaviour will change if therapy is effective, and trainers are more likely to see improvement or decline. A trainer would be less susceptible to the placebo effect, and they see the pet less frequently, letting them gain some distance from the situation.

If the dog has post-operative exercise restrictions, or if the vet has ordered it to be in cage rest, trainers can also help. Since cages can be confining for most dogs, it could cause them to feel restless. Most behaviourists have plenty of low-movement enrichment ideas that can assist dogs in recovery. Not only are these activities helpful, but they can also keep pets engaged and calm, keeping boredom at bay while they remain in their crate.

Conclusion

Observation skills and experience allow a behaviourist to provide insights into how a pet could be feeling. A trainer can help a pain practitioner improve an animal’s wellbeing in many ways. From diagnosis to treatment and therapy, trainers can be there with your pet, guiding them through every stage of their recovery.

Help your dog stay healthy when you sign them up for dog training at The Paw Resort & Wellness Centre. Our staff are the only Fear Free-certified professionals in Brandon, MB, and we are all committed to providing our clients with safe, comfortable experiences. Take the tour today, or call us for inquiries!