A lovely Vet just posted this in my other Community, the Canine Advocates. 💖 This comment came in after the challenge and I have read it three times. "Mickey’s rehab appointment made me think of last week’s challenge Mickey, my border collie, has an iliopsoas injury, so he’s out for at least 3 weeks and we’re in rehab mode. At his appointment, our practitioner talked with me about some core exercises and it immediately made me think of the core challenge here last week. This is the third dog I've had with injuries that made us pause or stop doing agility. ugh! As it happens, I also want to do agility with Violet, our 1 1/2 year old Aussie rescue, but I know I need to get her in shape. I wish I had done your challenge with her, but I was overwhelmed with other things and I didn’t do it. I think I have a sinus infection and our refrigerator broke... you know... life! Anyways, I do realize there is so much value in what you do, @Angela Day There is so much value in even the simple, foundation work. As a trainer and instructor, I would encourage people to use inflatables and more, in the early stages to get their dogs ready for agility, but Jill, our practioner, pointed out that the square sits, downs to controlled sits or stands and just having the dogs turn their head are the exercises to start with. Basic controlled movements that help a dog learn how to use their body well. I assume you agree? At least you both agree on the problems with using a treadmill. Even though I am a veterinarian and I try to keep up with some sports medicine, there is so much I don't know. It also made me appreciate even more what you’re teaching here. Thank you. I should have joined in. Violet and I need this work, and Mickey’s injury was a good reminder not to skip the basics. It just might take me a little time to get things in order! There is so much to do just with him right now. Maybe you or Jill could just move in here and do it for me? ;D"

I'm Angela, canine rehabilitation and core fitness specialist with over 11 years of clinical experience. I work with dogs recovering from injury, dogs in sport, and dogs whose owners want to get ahead of problems before they start. I hold qualifications in core conditioning, small animal rehabilitation, zoopharmacognosy and clinical canine massage, and I'm a Wellbeing Expert and Ambassador for OxyPet and Natures Zest. Most of what I do comes back to one thing, the dogs that age well, move well, and stay out of my treatment room are the ones with a strong, functional core. That's why I run these challenges. ───────────────────────────────── 🐾 THE 3 DAY CORE CONDITIONING CHALLENGE 📅 20, 21 & 22 May 2026 Three days. One exercise per day. A new skill for you and your dog every single morning, and a live Q&A with me every evening where we go deeper into the why behind what you're doing. This isn't just about teaching your dog a movement. It's about teaching YOU to see your dog differently, to understand what their body is telling you, and how to support it. 📅 Day 1 — Wednesday 20 May Exercise released in the morning · Live Q&A & Core Learning 7pm UK 📅 Day 2 — Thursday 21 May Exercise released in the morning · Live Q&A & Core Learning 7pm UK 📅 Day 3 — Friday 22 May Exercise released in the morning · Live Q&A & Core Learning 7pm UK ───────────────────────────────── 📋 BEFORE YOU START — THE PRE-WORK Before Day 1 I want you to complete the movement assessment and post your results here in the community. Don't overthink it. Just do it as honestly as you can. Here's why this matters: by the end of three days you will know more. You will see more. Some of you will find your scores actually look worse after the challenge, not because your dog got worse, but because YOU got better at seeing. That shift is exactly the point. Complete the assessment here and post your results below 👇 Does My Dog Need Core Work?