Fay Talbot Canine Myotherapy & Performance

05/09/2025

🚫 Walking ≠ Solving Stiffness in Dogs
Many pet parents believe that more walks will loosen up a stiff dog. 🐾 While walking is great for mental stimulation and general fitness, it doesn’t target the muscles or joints that are causing the stiffness in the first place.
👉 Think of it like us: if your back is tight, taking a stroll won’t fix it—you need the right movements to restore mobility and strength.
✅ Targeted conditioning exercises help:
• Improve joint range of motion
• Strengthen weak muscles that contribute to stiffness
• Support aging or recovering dogs so they move comfortably again
So, if your pup seems stiff, don’t just add more laps around the block. Help them move better, not just more.
🐶💪 Tailored exercises = happier, looser, healthier dogs.
I am a licensed Canine Conditioning Academy Coach and provide 121 tailored sessions for your dog
🐾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

04/09/2025

💡 Listen to their whispers before they have to shout
Old dogs are not lazy. They are hurting. 💔🐾
That senior pup who doesn’t want to chase the ball or go for long walks isn’t being stubborn or “just old.” They’re often living with arthritis, sore joints, or other painful soft tissue conditions.
⚠️ Signs it’s pain, not laziness:
• Hesitating on stairs
• Struggling to lie down or get up
• Sleeping more but still restless
• Limping or moving stiffly
With the right support— Myotherapy, pain management, gentle exercise, comfy bedding, and regular vet care—our golden oldies can enjoy their senior years with comfort and dignity.
✨ Growing old is not the end of joy. It just means they need us to listen more closely.
🐾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

02/09/2025

🐾 Ready, Set… Warm Up! 🐾
Before your dog hits the field, ring, or course — take 5–10 minutes to warm them up! 💪
✅ Start easy: Brisk walk or light trot
✅ Mobilize joints: Back up, side steps, low cavaletti
✅ Sport-specific moves: Short jumps, turns, retrieves — at reduced intensity
✅ Engage the brain: Focus games & cues
A proper warm-up boosts performance, sharpens focus, and reduces injury risk.
Because our canine athletes deserve the same care as human ones. 🐕🏆

🐾I am a licensed Canine Conditioning Academy Coach
🐾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

01/09/2025

Physical signs
• Stiffness or reduced flexibility – they may be slower to get up, less fluid in gait, or reluctant to stretch.
• Changes in posture – hunching, roaching the back, or holding head/neck lower or higher than normal.
• Muscle tension or tight spots – you might feel firmer muscle bands, knots, or asymmetry between sides.
• Limping or favouring a limb – even subtle shifts in weight distribution can be a clue.
• Slower warm-up and cool-down – taking longer to loosen up before play or work.
Behavioural signs
• Irritability when touched – pulling away, licking lips, or turning to look at you when a specific spot is touched.
• Restlessness or difficulty settling – struggling to find a comfortable position to lie in.
• Avoidance of certain activities – reluctance to jump, climb stairs, play fetch, or run.
• Lower tolerance for grooming – particularly around legs, hips, or back.
Performance signs (for working/sport dogs)
• Loss of precision or drive – slower response times, missing cues, or inconsistent performance.
• Shorter work sessions – fatiguing sooner than usual.
When these changes creep in gradually, they’re often dismissed as “just getting older,” but they’re actually early warning signs that the soft tissues are under extra strain and need attention.
🐾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
🐕

21/08/2025

Getting a veterinary referral before your dog has massage therapy is important for several reasons — and it’s not just bureaucracy: it’s about safety, legality, and effectiveness.
Here’s why it matters:
1. Legal and Professional Requirements
• In the UK, canine massage therapists are required by law to work under a vet’s referral or consent.
• This helps ensure the massage is part of a coordinated care plan rather than an unregulated intervention.
2. Rule Out Underlying Medical Conditions
• Massage can be harmful if a dog has certain issues — like fractures, infections, tumors, open wounds, or some neurological problems.
• A vet can examine your dog and confirm that massage is safe, or adjust the plan if there are contraindications.
3. Targeted, Effective Care
• A vet can provide a diagnosis and relevant medical history, which allows the massage therapist to adapt techniques to suit your dog’s needs (e.g., post-surgical rehab vs. arthritis management).
4. Team-Based Approach
• With a vet referral, your dog’s healthcare team is on the same page.
• Massage can then complement other treatments like physiotherapy, medications, or conditioning exercises rather than working in isolation.
5. Safety During the Session
• Some conditions (like heart disease, clotting disorders, or severe inflammation) require massage to be modified or avoided entirely.
• Knowing your dog’s medical status beforehand keeps the session safe and prevents worsening an injury.

It’s the canine-care equivalent of making sure the pilot has done a pre-flight check before takeoff!

🐾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

20/08/2025

Even when resting he keeps an eye on his bloody ball to stop Mia stealing it….

19/08/2025

😍Yoda😍
This little guy has just started coming to me for Myotherapy treatment. Yoda's Owner noticed that he wasn't getting up on the bed at night anymore. There is always a reason for a change in behaviour, get it checked out!
The photos show a lovely moment when Yoda really started to trust me and allowed a deeper treatment.

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

18/08/2025

Benefits of Myotherapy After TPLO Surgery
1. Reduces Muscle Tension & Stiffness
Dogs often shift weight off the operated leg, causing tightness in the shoulders, neck, lower back, and the opposite hind leg. Massage helps relax those overworked muscles.
2. Improves Circulation & Lymphatic Flow
Gentle massage increases blood flow to surrounding tissues, aiding healing, and helps manage post-surgical swelling.
3. Supports Joint Mobility
Scar tissue can make the knee feel tight. Massage (combined with rehab exercises) can help maintain flexibility in the surrounding muscles.
4. Eases Pain & Promotes Relaxation
By reducing muscle spasms and improving endorphin release, massage can help your dog rest more comfortably and recover better.
5. Improves Body Awareness
Dogs may be cautious about using the operated leg. Massage combined with proprioceptive touch can help them regain confidence in that limb.
🐾DM me to book in or have a chat
🐾Clinic based near Dorking, Surrey
🐾Home visits in local area can also be arranged

15/08/2025

🐾Scethy🐾😍🐾😍
In this video I am treating the muscles in the neck that are compensating because of his elbow dysplasia.

14/08/2025

• Self-soothing behavior: Dogs sometimes lick sore spots (muscles, joints, skin) because it releases endorphins, which temporarily relieve discomfort.
• Pain location: Licking isn’t always right over the source of pain. For example, a dog with hip arthritis might lick a lower leg or paw due to referred pain.
• Other clues: If licking is paired with stiffness, limping, reluctance to jump, changes in posture, or sensitivity to touch, it’s more likely pain-related than habit.
• Possible confusion with other causes: Allergies, skin infections, parasites, or anxiety can also trigger targeted licking, so it’s important to rule these out.

Get it checked out by your vet first, then contact me for an appointment, DM me for more information.

12/08/2025

I always bang on about claw length for a reason! Long claws affect the foot balance, which affects all the structures above i.e the whole dog!

07/08/2025

I often find these muscles sore in dogs that I treat!

Continuing our 'Tongue to Tail' series, we're now focusing on the masseter muscles!

"The what?" we hear you ask!

These muscles, located in your dog's cheeks, are responsible for chewing and mastication. However, like any muscle, they can become overworked. This often happens when a dog over-recruits muscles during movement. Similar to humans clenching their jaw for extra effort, dogs can exhibit the same behaviour.

During a Galen Myotherapy treatment, your therapist may work on these muscles, and you might observe your dog visibly relax as they do.

Why not train to become a Galen Myotherapist 👉https://www.galenmyotherapy.com/courses