4. Watch out if a dog (or cat) has an arched back.
Here is an unusual behavior to watch out for in your pooch. Pay attention to the arching of a dog’s back while tucking the belly up and under. It may sound strange, but this is a serious issue. However, your puppy is probably not going to attack because he feels threatened. No, this behavior indicates that your dog is in pain. Gastrointestinal distress can cause this medical problem (via Benton). Plus, anal pain caused by too full anal sac glands, or even a sign of back pain, such as a pinched nerve or spinal injury, can be causes for this type of behavior due to pain.
How can you really tell if your four-legged friend has an arched back? According to the dog walking website Wag!, pay attention to a semi-permanent, arched posture instead of the leisurely kind of stretching dogs do. This arched type of posture is an emergency. That means you should immediately call your vet and take your pup in to be examined. After undergoing some basic tests, your vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment to help heal the pup.