Trauma Informed Care
Why Dogs Hide Pain, Stress, and Trauma
Dogs often carry stress, pain, and emotional overwhelm quietly. Rather than showing obvious signs, many adapt their behaviour and physiology in order to cope, doing their best to remain safe and settled within their environment. Understanding why dogs hide these experiences is an important part of offering compassionate, trauma‑informed support.
Stress rarely comes from one single event
Stress in dogs does not always arise from a single traumatic incident. More often, it builds gradually through a series of changes — even within loving, well‑intentioned homes. Subtle shifts in routine, relationships, environment, or attention can accumulate, especially for sensitive or emotionally aware dogs.
In Scamp’s case, his stress began when his brother came to stay with us for an extended period of three years. Although they already knew each other, the long‑term presence of another dog altered Scamp’s sense of safety and belonging. His role within the household — his place in the family and the wider social dynamic — quietly shifted.
Later, the arrival of my grandson brought further change. As happens naturally, time, attention, and energy were redirected. While no harm was intended, and love remained constant, Scamp experienced this as additional uncertainty. For sensitive dogs, even positive life events can feel destabilising when they alter familiar rhythms and attachments.
Why dogs hide what they’re feeling
Dogs have strong survival instincts that encourage them to mask vulnerability. In the wild, showing pain, fear, or emotional distress could make an animal more visible to threat. Although our dogs are safe, these instincts remain deeply embedded within their nervous systems.
As a result, stress and discomfort often express themselves indirectly. Rather than obvious pain or dramatic behavioural change, we may see:
Subtle changes in posture or movement
Increased sensitivity or reactivity
Reluctance to be touched in certain areas
Altered sleep patterns
Changes in mood, confidence, or engagement
Physical signs such as coat changes, tension, or fatigue
These signs are not signs of misbehaviour or stubbornness — they are forms of communication.
The connection between emotional stress and the body
Emotional stress and physical tension are closely intertwined. When a dog’s nervous system remains in a state of alert or uncertainty, muscles can tighten, inflammation may increase, and the body’s capacity for rest and repair is reduced.
Likewise, physical discomfort can make a dog more emotionally reactive, withdrawn, or vigilant. Over time, this feedback loop can keep a dog stuck in a state of coping rather than true regulation.
In Scamp’s situation, meaningful healing could only begin once his brother returned to his own home. With the household dynamic restored, Scamp’s nervous system finally had the space it needed to settle. From there, gentle and consistent support allowed his body to begin releasing stored tension and his emotional balance to gradually return.
Behaviour as communication, not a problem to fix
When we view behaviour as communication rather than something to correct, our relationship with our dogs shifts. Instead of asking, “How do I stop this behaviour?” we begin to ask, “What is my dog telling me?”
This perspective invites patience, curiosity, and compassion. It allows us to meet our dogs where they are, rather than pushing them beyond what their nervous systems can manage.
Gentle, integrative approaches — always working alongside veterinary care — can support dogs in releasing held tension, processing stress, and rediscovering a sense of safety within themselves. Healing unfolds at the dog’s pace, not ours.
A closing reflection
Scamp’s experience taught me that healing is rarely about doing more — it is about creating the right conditions. Safety, consistency, and respectful support allow a dog’s innate capacity for balance to re‑emerge.
In my next post, I’ll be sharing how two other dogs from the same family — Missy and Hendricks — responded very differently to change, and what their stories reveal about attachment, trauma, and resilience in animals.
If this resonates with you, you’re welcome to explore my other writings or get in touch to learn more about trauma‑informed, whole‑body support for dogs.
