In most instances, doggos like to be touched and cuddled. It’s soothing for them, as well as for the fur parents.
That is why nothing can be more bothersome than seeing your dog yelp when touched.
And trying to figure what causes it can be equally frustrating. In this article, we will shed some light on why this happens as well as some things you can do to address it.
Why Does a Dog Yelp When Being Touched?
A dog yelping when touched could mean a lot of things but it usually means that your dog is in some kind of pain. This pain can either be physical or emotional. The first one needs an immediate check-up from a veterinarian to address the concern and prevent it from worsening. The latter requires understanding and support from the owner. Emotional pain may take some time and re-education before it goes away.
Assess the Situation First
The first thing you need to do is observe your dog. Check for visible wounds or injuries. If there are none, consider environmental factors that may have caused it. One of these is loud noise.
Identify if the behavior goes away if the sound is reduced or eliminated. This reaction to loud noise is normal, especially to anxious dogs. If the behavior does not stop, the yelping could be caused by the reasons mentioned below.
A Sign of Muscle Problem
Pay attention to the gait, is your dog limping, walking differently? Does the problem go away after walking? If yes, this could mean joint or muscle problems.
Conditions like arthritis or degenerative joint diseases are painful and will cause your dog to yelp when they move. Consult with your veterinarian about how to deal with this. They may assist with pain management.
Yelping can also be the result of neck or back pain. In this case, you will notice an unusual head posture. A dog who experiences pain in that area will likely keep its head bent down and move it minimally, only to look around.
Back pain is characterized by arching in the back. Your dog will also be reluctant to move. Neck and back pain can be diagnosed by the vet by checking for differences in muscle tension.
A Sign of Anxiety
Dogs that are sensitive are likely to yelp when they are feeling anxious.
Usually, the behavior can be triggered by something in their environment that they consider threatening. When this threat is removed, they may be calmer and there will be less yelping.
The behavior could also be the result of separation anxiety. You will notice your dog exhibiting the behavior when they see you about to go out. This is common among dogs who developed a strong bond with their owner or insecurity about being left alone.
A Sign of Trauma
This stems from your dog’s past experiences. Perhaps a previous owner abused them or an accident happened. This is common among rescue dogs. The fear that they learned can cause them to yelp when they are triggered by something/someone that they associate the trauma with.
In these cases, yelping will happen even without being touched. A dog who had a bad experience inside the car may yelp when they see it approaching. The behavior is their way of telling you that they do not want to go through the same ordeal again.
Remedies
The best thing to do is avoid touching your dog when they yelp. This just means that they are in so much pain and do not want to be touched.
As an owner, your first task is to observe your pet and your surroundings. If it is caused by an environmental factor, try to remove the factor that triggers it.
If not possible, try to soothe them and assure them of your presence. You can also consult with your vet for some effective techniques that you can employ to help calm your dog.
Expect some behavior changes in your fur baby. They may be extremely alert due to pain. You will also notice a decrease in appetite and difficulty in sleeping.
Instruct your family members not to touch or go near your dog in the meantime. They are agitated and can behave destructively. Lastly, try to be as understanding as you can and avoid getting angry at them.
What Happens Next?
As always, it is best to enlist the help of a professional. Be ready to answer questions like how you think your dog got hurt and when you started noticing the behavior.
They will do a comprehensive assessment to determine what causes yelping. Expect diagnostic tests especially if the reason is not very apparent. Once the diagnosis is done, your vet will walk you through the treatment plan.
The treatment plan will vary from medication to surgery and/or therapy. Long-term pain management plans may also be possible to help ease your dog’s condition.
Of course, nothing beats prevention. But this may not always be possible especially if your dog is naturally anxious. The best thing you can do is to be there for them.
Constantly assure them of your love and presence. You may also ask your vet for some anxiety-easing medications or supplements to help them calm down.
Conclusion
Yelping is usually a sign of pain. Just like with humans, this is also true for dogs. And it’s even more complicated for them since they can’t articulate their feelings well.
When this happens, assess the situation and observe your dog first. From this, you may want to proceed with a vet’s visit for a proper diagnosis. They will perform several tests to arrive at a conclusion. They will also recommend treatment plans.
Regular visits to the vet can be beneficial in tracking any changes in your dog’s health. Medical problems that are diagnosed early can prevent the worsening of the condition and any unwarranted pain.
After all, a healthy dog is a happy dog. And a happy fur baby means a happy fur parent.