How to know if a dog is in pain?

I am wondering if Rex (GSD, 3y, neutered) has something wrong with his hinder legs. Less than one month ago, he visited the vet for a general check up, except for an intestinal infection, he was ok: blood, urine, stool, x-ray, skin, eyes, hair, etc.

My concern is: after he lies down or sleeps on one side, the leg that was under his body will limp for few minutes (3 min?), be ir the right or left leg. After that he walks perfectly.

In general he is a very quiet dog inside, very active outside.
He sleeps a lot during the day, stays awake many periods in the night.

Can dogs sleep with open eye? He uses to lay down on his side (like dead position) and breaths heavly; I wonder if he is resting or in pain.

When I touch his legs (front of hinder) to examine, he does not cry.

I adopted him less than one month ago, he is my very first dog, i lived with dogs and cats before, but was not the main care giver.

As I said, he was checked by the vet and was ok, and i think if something was wrong with his hips and or legs the vet could have told, isn't it?

How experienced dog mothers/dads view this subject?

Thank you very much.

Rosana
and
Rex

Rosana, it's possible that Rex's legs "go to sleep," like humans' do, if the weight of his body is on one leg or the other for a long time. You could check with the vet the next time you go to the office, but it's probably nothing serious.
As for what he does while he sleeps, do you know that dogs can dream? Carina sometimes shakes and can even cry in her sleep, then she wakes up and is perfectly fine. I wish I knew what she's dreaming about:confused:
Please give Rex a big hug from me.

Thanks for your post.
I forgot to tell that he shakes too, and the first times I saw I tought he was having a seizure. When he moves his legs like he was runing I thinks he dreams of hunting time...
Anyway he has an appointment with the vet on Mai 26 for next shot and I will remenber to tell the vet about it.

Thousand kisses to beautiful Karina.

Rosana
and
Rex

:)
Rex is a Very Handsome Dog!! ;)

What does Rex usually lie on while he's sleeping?
HARD floor or a SOFT rug or bed?

You might try to encourage him to sleep on something SOFT
for a while - then observe him when he gets up.

You should discuss this with his Vet -
it may be something that just doesn't present to the Vet during
a routine exam -
but if the Vet is *looking* for the cause of the "limping symptom" -
he or she might do the examination differently.

We hope it's nothing serious!

You've got some great advice and there is not much more I can add, except to say that Kia (and sometimes the cats too), will twitch their mouth and paws and even make sounds when they are sleeping. It's fun watching them dream. :)

Rex is very handsome!

Rex loves to lay down on the carpeted floor. He has two soft beds, and is allowed on the couch. I have to lure him to one of the beds or to the couch when he is on the floor (sometimes even kitchen or bathroom floor). Even after laying on softer surfaces he also limps.

Well, from now on I will try him a hardfloor verbot.

Thanks for your answer.

Kia's mother:

Thanks. I loved to read Kia history and to know about her celebrity time on tv.
Thousand belly rubs on Kia.

Rosana
and
Rex

Kia sez THANKS! :D