Pain in dogs is a very common underlying cause for aggression and is commonly NOT a reason that is often considered.

Have you ever had a really bad headache that has lasted for a few days?  If you have, you may remember how irritable you were and how many small things would aggravate you. For example, a slamming door with a headache is much worse than a regular slamming door.  You may also not want to be touched near your head or your neck.

Dogs cannot verbally express pain, unless the pain is fairly severe.  They will demonstrate in other fashions, such as avoiding being touched, growling when touched, snapping or growling at the other dogs in the house, or avoiding activities that hurt.

There are so many aspects we can look at to help your dog get out of pain, enjoy life, and live the best quality of life.

Check out the link to a great conversation with Michael Shikashio and Dr. Deb with this link: https://backtracks.fm/discover/s/the-bitey-end-of-the-dog/d2816d4bb8a80cce/e/dr-debbie-torraca/2c21ac690c162e17

We discuss a number of very interesting topics that should stir up some conversation in the dog training community.

We also talk about the behaviors to look for when a dog is in pain; the impact of different training tools on a dog’s structure;  and what activities we might commonly see dog trainers engage in that can be detrimental to a dog’s overall health.

You can also catch Dr. Deb and other experts at this conference:  https://thelooseleashacademy.com/conference

If you would like to schedule a virtual consult with your dog, be sure to click on the link and take the step to improve your life and your dog’s life!
http://wizardofpaws.net/virtual-consultations/

Links: https://www.amazon.com/Bitey-End-Dog/dp/B08K58YXKT

We got our little Buster Brown the St Bernard at 8 weeks old and he instantly stole our hearts. He loved everyone and anything, even his older sister. Until around 3 years old. He became selective of people and started to only “tolerate” his sister. We brought in a trainer that hooked us up with a vet that would work with us, under sedation I had them do an entire workup of everything including x-rays. Buster Brown, the love of my life has full hip and elbow dysplasia, osteoarthritis, and a handful of other terms that just mean PAIN and lots of it.

I happened to be listening to a podcast one day featuring Deb Torraca on pain and aggression. She mentioned video consults so I booked one right away! After looking on her website I felt hope for our choice in conservative management. Surgery would just be no way of life for a 180 pound St Bernard.

We chatted and I immediately started him on the supplements she offers (only 2 things compared to the 5 things I was using), assissi loop and exercises I could do right at home. With her guidance (literally at the end of a text message if I needed her) we saw huge improvements in only the first week! Buster love his loop treatments, they put him in such a deep sleep!

The first week he had the best training session ever, our trainer even noticed his demeanor. He’s smiling every day, starting to bear weight on his rear legs and it has just made me whole inside again to see my pup come back to life. There are no words to ever express the gratitude I have for Deb and Wizard of Paws. No pet should have to be in pain especially my giant bear  –Busters Mom, Stefanie

I am a 5-year-old German shepherd, a dog who has competed in Obedience, rally, nose work even agility for years until recently. For the past 2 years, I have been struggling with chronic pain. I had been acting a bit out of the ordinary the past year of 2020 going into 2021 when I had just had enough. I was tired of people touching me, making me flinch in pain, wanting to play, wanting to train me etc.. when all my pain was being overlooked I snapped! I bit someone who was a trainer/training to be a massage therapist. 

It hurt so bad, people thought I was a bad dog, acting aggressively out of nowhere and just mentally snapped, my parents actually considered putting me down! My mother did not give up! My mother went to a fear-free vet where I had 17 x rays where they found out I had mild hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis.

My mother consulted with Mike Shikashio and Suzanne Clothier behaviorist who shared their knowledge and wisdom and recommended we meet with Dr. Torraca. After just 7 weeks of working together virtually mind you, I had almost no more pain! I was able to let people pet me again, go to the vet unmuzzled, I even went back to showing in scent work!

Pain is a tricky thing, dogs are a tricky thing having people with the experience and knowledge like Dr. Torraca to properly diagnose and treat is essential to living your best life! Some people do not look at the overall picture, they do not actually listen to the dog only to themselves this is why Dr. Torraca is the best she actually listens to the dog and looks at the bigger picture! I might not be here today to tell my story if it was not for her and those amazing behaviorists!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 
Sincerely, Kristina and Bane.