If your dog could speak, it would tell you straight away where something hurts. But it can only communicate in different ways.
A dog that constantly licks the same spot may be seeking relief from discomfort, just as frequent stretching can indicate tension or pain.
Have you noticed that it plays less or avoids certain positions? This is also an important sign. If it no longer wants to be touched in certain areas, it is often not because it dislikes it, but because of pain.
There are more obvious signs, such as taking weight off a limb, changing posture, or hesitating to jump onto the sofa or into the car. Others are more subtle: apathy, isolation, irritability, loss of appetite or difficulty interacting with other dogs. A curious but useful detail: a male dog that always urinates on the same side may have difficulty moving.
A dog’s body is constantly communicating, often before the problem becomes serious. Picking up on these signs makes all the difference, especially in terms of prevention.