You've got your results. Now what? Here's how to think about them, what context matters, and when professional input helps.
I've had countless conversations with worried dog owners staring at their PAWSCHECK report, unsure whether to be concerned or relieved. "My dog got a 4 - is that bad?" or "She walks fine to me, why did she score a 6?"
Here's what I tell them: the numbers aren't answers. They're questions. They prompt us to look closer, think about context, and track what happens over time. A score of 5 in a young working dog is very different from a score of 5 in a 12-year-old Labrador with known hip dysplasia.
Before we dive in, let's be clear about what this article isn't: It's not a lookup table where score X always means Y. It's not "if your dog scores 5, do these three things." That's not how veterinary medicine works, and it's definitely not how gait analysis works.
Instead, this guide will help you understand what the scores represent, what context matters when interpreting them, and how our veterinary team uses them alongside everything else we know about your dog.
The Scores: Starting Points, Not Destinations
PAWSCHECK provides a 0-10 scale that summarises movement quality. But here's what's crucial to understand: these numbers are starting points for interpretation, not definitive answers.
Think of them like a thermometer reading. A slightly raised temperature might be normal after exercise, concerning if it persists for days, or expected if your dog just had surgery. The number matters, but so does everything else.
What the Score Ranges Typically Suggest
0-2: Symmetrical Movement
Usually indicates even, balanced movement with no obvious asymmetry detected.
3-4: Minor Variations
Subtle differences between limbs. Could be normal variation, early changes, temporary stiffness, or anatomical quirks.
5-7: Notable Asymmetry
Clear differences in how limbs are functioning. Often correlates with findings on veterinary exam, but context determines urgency.
8-10: Significant Changes
Substantial alterations in movement patterns. Usually visible to owners and worth prompt evaluation.
But - and this is critical - our veterinary team doesn't just look at the number. We consider:
- Your dog's age and breed
- Their normal activity level
- Previous scores (is this new or stable?)
- What you're seeing at home
- Recent activities or injuries
- Existing health conditions
- Whether this is consistent across multiple videos
What Goes Into Your Score?
Your dog's overall score comes from analyzing multiple aspects of how they move:
Stride Characteristics
- Length: How far each paw travels forward per step
- Timing: How long each leg spends on the ground vs. in the air
- Consistency: Whether stride patterns remain steady or vary
Symmetry Analysis
- Left vs. Right: Are both sides moving identically?
- Front vs. Hind: Is there balance between front and rear?
- Diagonal Patterns: Do opposite legs coordinate properly?
Weight Distribution
- Load Bearing: Is weight evenly distributed across all four limbs?
- Shifting: Does your dog favor certain legs over others?
- Compensation: Are they offloading weight from painful areas?
Movement Quality
- Smoothness: Fluid motion vs. choppy or hesitant steps
- Range of Motion: Full limb extension or restricted movement
- Posture: Spinal alignment, head carriage, hip positioning
Beyond the Overall Score: Individual Limb Analysis
Your PAWSCHECK report doesn't just give you one number. It breaks down the analysis by individual limb:
Reading Individual Limb Scores
Example 1: Single Limb Issue
Interpretation: Clear problem with the left front leg. Right side and hind legs moving normally. Suggests isolated left front leg injury or inflammation.
Example 2: Bilateral Issue
Interpretation: Both front legs showing elevated scores while hind legs normal. Often indicates bilateral joint disease such as dysplasia or osteoarthritis.
Example 3: Diagonal Compensation
Interpretation: Right front and left hind both elevated - diagonal pattern. Primary issue likely left hind leg with right front compensating. Classic pattern seen with hip problems.
Tracking Trends: The Real Power of PAWSCHECK
Here's what most people miss: One score matters less than a pattern of scores over time.
Stable Baseline (Good)
Interpretation: Excellent. Scores staying consistently low. That score of 3 in month 3? Probably just normal fluctuation.
Gradual Increase (Concerning)
Interpretation: Upward trend over time. Something is developing. Time for a vet visit before it progresses further.
Post-Treatment Success
Interpretation: An indication that treatment or rehabilitation is on the right path.
How Often Should You Record Videos?
Your Dog Is Their Own Baseline
This is one of the most important concepts in gait analysis, and it's why PAWSCHECK is so powerful for home monitoring.
PAWSCHECK doesn't compare your dog to a "standard" or "average."
It compares your dog to THEMSELVES.
A Greyhound moves differently from a Bulldog. A young athletic dog moves differently from a senior couch potato. Your dog's first video establishes THEIR normal. Future videos compare to THAT baseline.
Example: The Lifetime Limper
Charlie, a rescue dog, has a slight limp from an old injury. His baseline PAWSCHECK score is 4 because of that asymmetry. But Charlie is pain-free, active, and that's HIS normal.
Six months later, Charlie scores a 7. That's a meaningful change FROM HIS BASELINE. Vet exam reveals he's developed arthritis in a different leg. The score of 7 matters because it's different from his usual 4, not because 7 is inherently "bad."
Common Questions About Scores
Why can't you just tell me what to do based on my dog's score?
Because context matters more than the number. Two dogs with the exact same score might need completely different approaches. It is for you and your veterinary team to consider your dog's specific circumstances, within the context of your daily lives together.
My dog seems totally fine but scored a 5. Should I be worried?
Dogs are incredibly good at hiding pain and compensating for discomfort. A score of 5 means we're detecting asymmetry that your eyes might miss. You now have objective data suggesting something's affecting movement.
The score went up after a long walk. Is that bad?
Not necessarily. Post-exercise fatigue is normal, especially in older dogs. What matters is: Does the score return to baseline after rest? Record another video after a rest day. If it drops back down, you're likely seeing normal post-activity fatigue. It's worth also bearing in mind that dogs with osteoarthritis are often more stiff after a period of resting in one position and can become looser and less lame as they get their limbs moving again.
My vet said my dog's joints feel fine, but PAWSCHECK detected asymmetry.
Gait analysis sometimes picks up changes before they're obvious on physical exam. This is actually a feature, not a bug. Many conditions are easier to manage when caught before clinical signs are severe.
What PAWSCHECK Can and Cannot Tell You
What PAWSCHECK Can Do:
- ✓Detect asymmetry and altered movement patterns
- ✓Quantify severity of gait abnormalities
- ✓Track changes over time objectively
- ✓Identify which limb(s) are affected
- ✓Monitor treatment response
- ✓Catch problems before they're obvious
What PAWSCHECK Cannot Do:
- ✗Replace veterinary physical examination
- ✗Diagnose specific conditions
- ✗Determine the cause of lameness
- ✗Replace X-rays, ultrasound, or imaging
- ✗Tell you what treatment your dog needs
Think of PAWSCHECK as an early warning system and tracking tool. It tells you THAT something is going on and helps monitor HOW it changes. Your veterinary surgeon determines WHAT it is and HOW to treat it.
The Bottom Line: Scores Tell Part of the Story
Your dog's PAWSCHECK score isn't a diagnosis, a verdict, or a simple answer. It's a piece of information - an important piece, but one piece.
What makes PAWSCHECK valuable isn't the score itself. It's:
- Objective measurement of something that's usually subjective
- Consistent tracking over time showing trends and changes
- Early detection of alterations in movement
- Data to inform conversations with veterinary surgeons
- Monitoring whether treatments are actually working
A score of 5 doesn't automatically mean anything specific. But a dog who's been steady at 2 for months suddenly scoring 5? That's information worth paying attention to.
The real power comes from consistent monitoring over time. One score is a data point. A series of scores tells a story - the story of your dog's mobility as they age, recover, or develop conditions. And when we understand that story, we can often influence how it unfolds.
That's what matters. Not whether today's score is a 4 or a 5, but whether we're catching changes early enough to do something about them.