Which behavior during an exam may suggest a dog is in pain?

When evaluating a dog's behavior during an exam to assess for signs of pain, the presence of whimpering or guarding specific areas is a strong indicator. Whimpering often signifies discomfort or distress in dogs. It is a vocalization that can arise from a variety of situations, including physical pain or anxiety.

Moreover, guarding certain areas of the body—by positioning themselves in a way that protects those areas or flinching away when touched—further suggests that the dog may be experiencing discomfort or pain. This behavior is instinctive, as many animals will instinctively protect injured or sensitive areas due to their natural instinct for self-preservation.

In contrast, other behaviors such as wagging the tail vigorously or running around excitedly generally indicate happiness or excitement and are not suggestive of pain. Similarly, while feigning disinterest in treats can sometimes correlate with health issues, it is not as direct an indicator of pain as the behaviors described above. Therefore, observing whimpering coupled with guarding specific areas is a clear signal that a dog may be in pain, making this the correct choice.