Most animal species are evolutionarily wired to hide pain. In the wild, showing weakness leads to predation. Consequently, a dog with osteoarthritis or a rabbit with dental disease rarely screams or limps dramatically. Instead, they exhibit subtle behavioral shifts: a decrease in play, hiding under the bed, irritability when touched, or a change in sleep cycles.
: Scientists and training professionals emphasize methods that avoid the negative fallout of corrective or punitive training.