Identify a common sign of pain in a dog during grooming.

• A. Wagging tail.
• B. Yelping or withdrawal when touched in sensitive areas.
• C. Pacing.
• D. Licking the groomer.

Answer: (B)

When a dog is in pain during grooming, signals often show up as a quick reaction to touch on sensitive spots. Yelping or pulling away when a grooming tool or touch reaches a painful area is a direct cue that something is uncomfortable or injured. This response tells you to ease off, reassess the area, and check for possible pain or injury before proceeding.

Wagging the tail is usually a sign of excitement or stress, not pain, so it isn’t a reliable indicator that the dog is hurting. Pacing suggests anxiety or restlessness rather than a specific pain response to touch. Licking the groomer can be a sign of affection or general stress, not necessarily pain. So the clear pain signal in this context is yelping or withdrawal when touched in sensitive areas—use that cue to pause, assess, and adjust handling accordingly.