Fay Talbot Canine Myotherapy & Performance

27/10/2025

🐾 Building Trust: The Foundation of Every Galen Myotherapy Session 🐾
Galen Myotherapy isn’t just about muscle health — it’s about connection. 💛
Before any therapeutic touch can help a dog, there must be trust. Dogs need to feel safe, understood, and in control of their experience. By taking the time to listen to their subtle cues — a soft blink, a shift in posture, a sigh — we create a dialogue that says, “You’re safe. I’m listening.”
For a nervous dog, being listened to can have such a positive impact.
When a dog trusts their therapist, their body relaxes, muscles release, and real healing can begin. It transforms a simple massage into a deeply cooperative experience.
✨ Trust first. Therapy second. Healing always. ✨

💡DM me to book in or have a chat about your dog
🐾Clinic based near Dorking, Surrey
🏠Home visits in local area can also be arranged

24/10/2025

🐾 Canine Myotherapy vs. Canine Conditioning — What’s the Difference?
Both Canine Myotherapy and Canine Conditioning aim to help dogs move better, feel stronger, and live more comfortably — but they do it in very different ways 👇
✨ Canine Myotherapy
A clinical, hands-on therapy that uses targeted massage and soft tissue techniques to release muscle tension, reduce pain, and improve range of motion.
It’s ideal for dogs who:
• Are recovering from injury or surgery 🏥
• Have arthritis, stiffness, or asymmetrical movement
• Need help relaxing or releasing chronic tension
🏋️‍♀️ Canine Conditioning
A movement-based, active approach that builds core strength, balance, coordination, and body awareness through tailored exercises.
It’s ideal for dogs who:
• Are healthy and want to improve performance or prevent injury
• Need better posture, core strength, or stability
• Are returning to activity after rehab (with vet approval)
🧩 Choosing Between the Two
Think of it like this:
➡️ Myotherapy restores healthy muscle function.
➡️ Conditioning strengthens and supports that function.
Often, the best results come from combining both — releasing tension and building balanced strength for long-term wellbeing.
🐶💪 Your dog’s body deserves both care and conditioning!

💡DM me to book in or have a chat about your dog
🐾Clinic based near Dorking, Surrey
🏠Home visits in local area can also be arranged

22/10/2025

🐶💺 What Does a Lazy Sit Really Mean?
Ever notice your dog sitting with one hip rolled out to the side instead of straight under them? That “lazy sit” might look cute — but it can tell us something important! 👀
A lazy sit can sometimes mean:
➡️ Muscle imbalance or weakness (often in the core, hips, or rear limbs)
➡️ Joint discomfort (hips, knees, or lower back)
➡️ Habit — especially in puppies still figuring out their posture
✅ Occasional lazy sits aren’t a big deal, but if you see it often or your dog avoids a square sit altogether, it’s worth checking in with me and having a chat. Joint and soft tissue pain can really affect the way your dog sits. Strengthening core and hip stabilizers can make a big difference in comfort and movement (only once your dog has been checked over first to make sure there is no underlying pain)
💪 Keep an eye on posture — it’s your dog’s way of talking about how their body feels.
I am a licensed Canine Conditioning Academy Coach offering 121 sessions near Dorking, Surrey.
💡DM me to book in or have a chat about your dog
🐾Clinic based near Dorking, Surrey
🏠Home visits in local area can also be arranged

20/10/2025

🐾Galen Myotherapy Positive PACT (Positive Progressive Affective Cycle of Therapy)🐾
Choice led treatment involving the patient (dog), their guardian and the Galen Myotherapist
The Positive PACT approach means:
🤝 every interaction is built on trust and kindness.
👀 we listen to what the dog’s body and behaviour are telling us.
🐶 Consensual Touch — the dog always has a choice to move away and is never restrained.
This facilitates the dog to have freedom of movement during the treatment process. It allows a dog to have autonomy over their own body and therefore autonomy over treatment of areas of painful chronic muscular issues or dysfunction. They are able to control the intensity and pace of treatment, enabling areas to be treated that would otherwise be highly resistant to any form of contact.

💚 Because touch should always be a conversation, not a command.

💡DM me to book in or have a chat about your dog
🐾Clinic based near Dorking, Surrey
🏠Home visits in local area can also be arranged

17/10/2025

🐾😍Maggie, Medena and Chickpea😍🐾
When I am trusted to treat the whole family I feel humbled. Our dog's are so precious to us aren't they?
Bloody love my job!

15/10/2025

🐾 Just like we humans must ease into exercise, our puppies’ bodies need care and guidance as they grow
✅ Key Guidelines Backed by Science
1. Choose low-impact, varied terrain
Rather than hard, flat surfaces, choose soft, undulating ground (grass, packed soil) to reduce repetitive stress.
2. Avoid high-impact, repetitive motions early on
Repeated chasing of balls/sticks, jumping off high places, running alongside bicycles, or too many stairs (especially duration
Controlled research shows moderate, regular weight-bearing activity supports cartilage health and bone strength.
4. Watch for fatigue cues — customize by puppy, not by formula
Rather than rigid “5 minutes per month” rules (which are popular but not strongly evidence-based), better rely on observational cues: panting prematurely, lagging behind, sitting/stopping often could signal over-exertion
5. Maintain healthy weight & nutrition
Excess weight increases joint loads, which magnifies damage risk. Leaner dogs have demonstrably lower risk of hip dysplasia and ligament ruptures.
6. Prevent environmental risks
Restrict access to stairs, especially in very young puppies (

13/10/2025

🚶‍♀️🐾 Are stairs helping or hurting your dog?
STAIRS ARE THE HEIGHT FOR HUMANS NOT DOGS! Stairs might seem harmless — even good exercise — but they can take a toll on your dog’s musculoskeletal health, especially if they charge up and down the stairs!
📉 Here’s why:
➡️ Repetitive stair use increases joint load, especially on the shoulders, hips, and lower back.
➡️ Dogs with orthopedic issues (like hip dysplasia, cruciate injuries, or arthritis) may experience more pain and inflammation.
➡️ Puppies and senior dogs are especially vulnerable — their joints are either still developing or already degenerating. Puppies should not use stairs until they are at least 4 months old!
💡 Tip:
• Use ramps where possible.
• Limit unsupervised stair access – use a child gate
• Build strength and coordination safely through controlled conditioning exercises.
🏋️‍♂️ A strong, balanced body is the best protection against stair-related strain.
If your dog uses stairs daily, make sure their muscles are supporting their joints — not the other way around!

💡DM me to book in or have a chat about your dog
🐾Clinic based near Dorking, Surrey
🏠Home visits in local area can also be arranged

10/10/2025

❄️ Winter & Hip Mobility in Dogs: Understanding Seasonal Tightness

As temperatures drop, it’s common to see changes in your dog’s movement patterns — particularly in the hips and pelvic region. Cold weather can cause muscles and connective tissues to contract and stiffen, leading to reduced range of motion and increased discomfort, especially in dogs with pre-existing conditions such as hip dysplasia, arthritis, or muscular imbalances.

Typical signs of winter-related hip tightness include:
• Slower transitions from lying to standing
• Reluctance to jump or climb stairs
• Shortened stride or decreased hind limb engagement
• General stiffness after rest

Supportive strategies:
✅ Keep your dog warm with appropriate clothing and bedding
✅ Begin each outing with a controlled warm-up to improve circulation
✅ Maintain consistent, low-impact exercise to preserve mobility
✅ Incorporate targeted conditioning and bodywork to address tightness proactively

Regular, structured movement and environmental management can make a significant difference in how comfortably your dog moves through the colder months.

💡DM me to book in or have a chat about your dog
🐾Clinic based near Dorking, Surrey
🏠Home visits in local area can also be arranged

08/10/2025

🐾 Heavy Paws, Hurting Joints? Let’s Talk Obesity in Dogs 🐾

Did you know extra weight isn’t just a number on the scale—it’s extra stress on your dog’s joints? 🦴

Why it matters:

Every extra pound adds 4x more stress on their hips, knees, and spine.

Increases the risk of arthritis and ligament injuries.

Can reduce mobility, energy, and overall quality of life.

Signs your dog might be struggling:

Reluctance to jump or climb stairs

Limping or stiffness after activity

Decreased playfulness

✅ Tips to protect their joints:

Balanced nutrition & portion control

Regular, low-impact exercise (think walking slowly or gentle play)

Routine vet checkups to monitor weight and joint health

Your dog’s paws carry your love—make sure they’re not carrying extra pounds too! ❤️🐶
💡DM me to book in or have a chat about your dog
🐾Clinic based near Dorking, Surrey
🏠Home visits in local area can also be arranged

08/10/2025

Important information!

In our Tongue to Tail series, we're focusing on the dog's shoulder. Did you know dogs don't have a collarbone?

This means the shoulder is held in place solely by soft tissue, making it susceptible to repetitive strain. This is especially true with activities like repeated jumping down, as well as twisting and turning.
This is why it's important to be mindful of the high impact when your dog jumps out of a vehicle for example.

06/10/2025

😍Bella😍
Love this sassy girl! Bella comes to see my regularly to maintain her musculoskeletal system to keep her comfortable and leading an active life. Bella has elbow dysplasia but we do have to remind her to slow down!