Your best buddy usually can’t get enough cuddles and pats, but lately, doesn’t want to be touched. Or maybe, the opposite is true, and your independent buddy is suddenly a clinging vine. These changes in behaviour are sometimes linked to pain. “Tigers don’t change their stripes, and puppies don’t change their cuddles! A difference in the amount a dog likes to be petted or touched can be a sign that they are hurting. Like us, dogs can become much needier when they’re hurt, begging for your attention and comfort. On the other side of that same coin is the avoidance of contact. If your pup is all of a sudden hiding, spending more time alone, refusing to play with toys they love, or avoiding petting, there is likely a reasonable explanation,” explains Dr Robinson. Your dog may try to avoid being touched altogether, or may startle, yelp, or nip if you touch him in a specific spot. These are all potential signs of pain.