You’ll often hear me talk about spinal mobility work as part of both rehab and conditioning programmes. These simple movements are incredibly powerful when done consistently and correctly. In horses, these are known as Dynamic Mobilisation Exercises (DME’s) (often called carrot stretches). In dogs, we use “cookie stretches” guiding the nose to follow a treat into specific positions. These exercises typically include: 📸 Lateral flexion (left & right) - https://youtu.be/pUKaTC1l34k 📸 Flexion (nose to chest / between front legs) - https://youtu.be/zI3ulq4oCMw 📸 Extension (forward and upwards reach) - https://youtu.be/neb1HUPNsgA These movements help to: ✔ Improve spinal mobility and segmental control ✔ Activate deep core stabilisers ✔ Support balanced muscle development ✔ Reduce stiffness and compensatory patterns ✔ Improve body awareness and coordination ⚠️ Key point: These are not forceful stretches. The goal is slow, controlled, and active movement; the animal should be doing the work, not being pulled into position. 5 quality reps, 3 times per week, with a 5 second hold can make a huge difference over time.

Did you know that leash walking on a flat, even surface is a great low-impact exercises for a dog recovering from surgery or managing arthritis. Keep walks short and slow, 5 to 10 minutes is plenty in early recovery. It's not about distance, it's about controlled, consistent movement. Little and often beats long and occasional every time. 💚

Hey everyone, and welcome to the community! We’re really glad you’re here. This community is built to support you and your dog throughout their lifetime, from injury prevention, to managing your pet post surgery. We have released our first program, "Canine Foundations Strength & Mobility". This is made for all dogs to improve both strength and movement. In the meantime join our community to ask questions and learn about what you can do best for your dog. 🐶 What you can expect here Inside this community you’ll be able to: - Ask questions at any stage of the course or in general about your dog - Share progress with your dog (wins and struggles) - Get feedback and support when you’re unsure - Learn from other members going through the same journey There are no “silly questions” here—if you’re thinking it, someone else probably is too. 📚 How to get the most out of this course A few tips to help you succeed in the course (when it comes out): - Go at your own pace—don’t rush it - Practice consistently, even in short sessions - Post videos or updates if you want feedback - Don’t aim for perfection—aim for progress 🐕 A quick note on training Every dog learns differently, and every handler develops at their own pace. If something isn’t working right away, that’s completely normal. We’re here to help you adjust, refine, and keep moving forward. 💬 Introduce yourself! Drop a quick intro below: - Your name - Your dog’s name and breed - What you’re hoping to achieve from the course We’d love to meet you all. Let’s get started 💪🐾