Movement Matters Part 2: What Your Dog's Movement is Telling You (Before They Limp)
If you enjoyed part 1 you'll know that dogs are incredibly good at hiding discomfort. It's a survival instinct that's served them well for thousands of years, but it also means many guardians just don't realise there's a problem until their dog is significantly sore.
The good news? Dogs often tell us long before they develop an obvious limp.
You just have to know what to look for. To the trained eye, its hard to unsee, and I will let me clients know if I feel their dog could feel better.
It's Rarely "Just Getting Older"
One of the biggest myths I hear is: "They're getting older, so they're slowing down." - Not always.
Whilst ageing certainly changes the body, it shouldn't mean your dog suddenly stops enjoying walks, struggles to get into the car or chooses to lie down instead of playing. Those changes are information.
They're your dog's way of saying something has changed physically.
Watch How They Move Every Day. Rather than waiting for a dramatic limp, spend a few minutes simply watching your dog.
Look for:
A shortened stride.
Walking slightly sideways.
Weight shifting onto one side.
Bunny hopping when running.
Hesitation on stairs.
Reluctance to jump.
Slower to sit or lie down.
Choosing softer walks over longer adventures.
Frequently stretching after only gentle activity.
A scraped nail every few now and again
Individually these may seem insignificant. Together, they paint a picture.
The "Sloppy Sit"
One of my favourite things to check is a sloppy sit. Rather than sitting neatly with both legs tucked underneath, many uncomfortable dogs:
Sit with one leg kicked out.
Lean heavily onto one hip.
Slide into a puppy sit.
Avoid sitting square altogether.
I’ve even seen people refer to it as the ‘border sit’ or the ‘doodle sit’
This doesn't always mean pain, but it's a clue that deserves investigating. It’s usually associated with poor muscle tone, body balance or physical form. Combined with other movement changes, it often tells us far more than owners realise.
Gait Analysis Can Reveal What Our Eyes Miss
Sometimes movement changes are subtle enough that they become your dog's "normal." This is where gait analysis becomes incredibly valuable. Watching a dog walk and trot in straight lines, on different surfaces and from different angles can reveal:
Reduced range of motion.
Uneven loading.
Compensatory movement.
Muscle imbalance.
Early discomfort.
The earlier we spot these changes, the sooner we can support the body before secondary problems develop.
Behaviour is Part of the Picture
Pain doesn't always look like pain. Sometimes it looks like:
Barking more.
Becoming reactive.
Avoiding other dogs.
Sleeping more.
Becoming clingy.
Becoming withdrawn.
Restlessness.
Difficulty settling.
Suddenly disliking being touched.
Behaviour and movement are deeply intertwined. If your dog changes behaviour at the same time as their movement changes, I always encourage owners to consider whether discomfort could be part of the story.
The Gut–Joint Connection
As a canine nutritionist, this is where my two favourite topics meet. Healthy joints don't exist in isolation. The gut microbiome influences inflammation throughout the body, nutrient absorption, immune function and tissue repair.
If the digestive system isn't functioning well, your dog may struggle to obtain the building blocks needed to maintain healthy muscles, ligaments, tendons and cartilage. Likewise, chronic pain can increase stress hormones, which may also affect digestive health.
It's a two-way relationship. Supporting one often helps the other.
Some Dogs Need More Nutritional Support Than Others
Whilst every dog benefits from a balanced diet, some need additional support because their bodies have experienced greater physical demands. These include:
Brood bitches that have had multiple litters.
Sporting and working dogs.
Agility dogs.
Senior dogs.
Dogs recovering from orthopaedic surgery.
Dogs with hypermobility.
Large and giant breeds.
Dogs carrying excess weight.
Targeted nutrition alongside appropriate exercise and physiotherapy can make a remarkable difference to how comfortably these dogs move.
Putting the Pieces Together
No single sign tells the whole story. But when we combine movement, behaviour, posture, nutrition and gut health, we begin to understand what our dogs have been trying to tell us all along. The goal isn't simply to wait for disease. It's to notice the whispers before they become shouts.
Next Time...
In the final article of the Movement Matters series, we'll explore practical ways to support your dog's body through nutrition, movement, enrichment and simple daily habits that help them stay active, comfortable and mobile for years to come.
Sources:
Pilla & Suchodolski (2019) – Gut microbiome
Crisante et al. (2025) – Gut–brain axis
Stevens et al. (2024) – Gut & osteoarthritis
Lascelles et al. – Chronic pain/OA
Hielm-Björkman et al. – Chronic pain assessment
Capon (2021) – Pain management
Capon (2021) – Rehabilitation ethos
Capon & Dycus (2018) – Case management
Roberts et al. (2021) – Quality of life
Mills et al. – Pain and behaviour
Objective gait analysis literature
Dr Mike Davies' clinical nutrition resources (for rehabilitation and musculoskeletal support)
Dr Hannah Capon (CAM) Dr Capon's work is particularly useful for supporting your key messages that:
successful management is multimodal, incorporating nutrition, physiotherapy, weight management, environmental changes and appropriate medication.
Capon H. (2021) Understanding the pharmaceutical approach to pain management in canine osteoarthritis.
Incorporating a rehabilitation ethos into the management of canine osteoarthritis. Companion Animal.
Capon & Dycus (2018) How to Case Manage the Osteoarthritic Dog. BSAVA Companion.
Recognising subtle pain, gait changes, multimodal management, owner education Roberts et al. (2021) Construction of a Conceptual Framework for Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life in Dogs with Osteoarthritis. Dr Hannah Capon is a co-author.
