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Fay Talbot Canine Myotherapy & Performance, Surrey Hills Business Park, Sheephouse Lane, Wotton, Dorking (2026)

28/01/2026

Why I don’t rush
• Galen Myotherapists treat dogs using PACT® which stands for Positive Progressive Affective Cycle of Therapy. It is based on a cycle of choice-led treatment involving the patient (dog), their guardian and the therapist.
• 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.
• Choice led treatment promotes relaxation
Why relaxation matters:
The role of relaxation and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS):
When a dog is calm and relaxed, the parasympathetic nervous system, the body’s “rest and repair” system is activated. This has several healing benefits:
• Fascia relaxation: Fascia, the connective tissue surrounding muscles, responds to tension and stress by tightening. PNS activation reduces muscle tone and allows fascia to soften, improving mobility and reducing pain.
• Enhanced circulation and lymphatic flow: Relaxed muscles and fascia allow blood and lymph to deliver nutrients, oxygen, and clear waste more effectively.
• Pain reduction: Lower stress hormone levels reduce inflammation and make tissues more receptive to gentle therapy.
• More effective myotherapy: Soft, relaxed tissues respond better to techniques, this not only reduces pain but accelerates healing, restores function, and empowers the dog in their own care.

💡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

26/01/2026

Agility dogs are precision athletes. Tight turns, rapid acceleration, jumping, and obstacle transitions place significant stress on joints, muscles, and the spine.
Targeted conditioning helps:
• Improve jumping power and landing mechanics
• Increase speed, endurance, and drive sustainability
• Enhance balance, coordination, and body awareness
• Support safe, efficient turns and obstacle performance
• Reduce risk of injury and overuse strain
• Improve consistency and longevity in the sport
Conditioning allows agility dogs to move with control, confidence, and efficiency, not just speed.
Train the course. Condition the athlete.
💡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

23/01/2026

Is your dog a “weekend warrior”?
That burst of intense play or long hikes on weekends might seem harmless, but it can actually put your dog’s muscles, joints, and mobility at risk.
Dogs who are mostly inactive during the week can experience:
• Muscle strains and ligament injuries
• Joint stress and early arthritis
• Reduced flexibility and range of motion
• Chronic soreness or pain
💡 Tip: Keep your dog active consistently with short daily walks, light play, and gentle mobility exercises. Regular conditioning protects their body, improves endurance, and keeps them injury-free.
Your dog will thank you with stronger muscles, healthier joints, and wagging tails every day, not just on weekends.
Bottom Line
Consistent, moderate exercise throughout the week, tailored to the dog’s age, breed, and physical condition, is critical for maintaining muscle strength, joint stability, and long-term mobility. Weekend-only intense sessions stress an underprepared musculoskeletal system, increasing the risk of acute injuries, chronic joint problems, and decreased overall quality of life.
💡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

21/01/2026

Stop Saying “They’re Just Getting Old”
Mobility changes in dogs are not just a normal part of aging, they’re a sign that something needs attention. Arthritis, joint injuries, muscle loss, or other underlying conditions can all affect your dog’s movement.
Ignoring these signs can lead to pain, decreased quality of life, and preventable injuries. Early intervention through veterinary care, myotherapy, targeted conditioning, and proper nutrition can make a huge difference.
Next time your dog struggles to jump, run, or climb stairs, remember: it’s not “just old age”, it’s your cue to help them move better and feel better.
💡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

19/01/2026

Why Canine Conditioning Matters in Protection Sports
Dogs competing in protection sports are high-performance athletes. The physical demands of biting, gripping, decoy work, sprinting, jumping, and abrupt directional changes require more than drive and training alone.
Proper conditioning supports:
• Increased strength and explosive power
• Improved grip stability and body control
• Enhanced endurance for long training sessions and trials
• Better balance and coordination under pressure
• Reduced risk of soft tissue and joint injuries
• Faster recovery between training days
Conditioning prepares the body to safely express drive. A strong, stable, well-conditioned dog can perform with intensity while protecting long-term soundness.
Train skills. Condition the athlete.
💡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

17/01/2026

Someone tell my boy he is 7 years old 🤣

16/01/2026

Canine conditioning is not about pushing through struggle. It is about building capacity in an intelligent way.
If a dog is struggling with an exercise, loss of form, hesitation, avoidance, fatigue, or behavioural changes, that is valuable feedback, not failure. A conditioning plan should always be adjusted to meet your dog where they are physically and mentally on that day.
Progress comes from:
• Scaling the exercise, not forcing it
• Reducing duration, load, or complexity
• Regressing to foundational movements when needed
• Allowing adequate recovery between sessions
A well-designed conditioning program is dynamic, not rigid. The goal is long-term soundness, confidence, strength and resilience, not checking boxes or rushing progress.
Listen to your dog. Check in with me. Adjust the plan. That is how real conditioning works.
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

14/01/2026

Your dog’s progress does not end when the treatment session does. Consistently completing prescribed homework, controlled exercise, strengthening, mobility, or motor control exercises, is essential for building resilience, confidence, and long-term results.
Perform the massage techniques that I show you to help accelerate healing.
Just as important is adaptation of the home environment.
Environmental considerations matter more than many people realise:
• Avoid slippery surfaces such as tiles, laminate or wooden flooring, ensure your dog has good traction underfoot to prevent slipping, compensatory movement, or loss of confidence.
• Use non-slip mats, yoga mats, rubber mats in strategic places as discussed
• Use steps/ramps to get your dog in and out of your vehicle or on and off furniture
Quality movement in the right conditions supports better outcomes and helps reduce the risk of injury.
💡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

12/01/2026

Canine Conditioning: A Game-Changer for Gun Dogs
Gun dogs are elite athletes. Conditioning helps ensure their bodies can meet the demands of long days in the field.
Targeted conditioning supports:
• Endurance for extended hunts
• Strength for jumping, swimming, and retrieves
• Balance and coordination on uneven terrain
• Injury prevention and faster recovery
• Consistent performance across multi-day work
A well-conditioned gun dog doesn’t just work harder, they work safer, longer, and with greater confidence.
Condition with purpose. Hunt with confidence.
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

09/01/2026

Is Your Dog Acting Out? Pain Could Be the Hidden Culprit exacerbating the behaviour.
Many behavioural issues in dogs, aggression, anxiety, irritability, or reluctance to be touched, can stem from unaddressed pain. Just like humans, dogs often modify their behaviour when something hurts. What looks like “bad behaviour” may actually be a way of communicating discomfort.
Addressing pain is key to improving behaviour:
• Chronic musculoskeletal pain can increase irritability and reduce tolerance for handling.
• Dogs with joint, spinal, or dental pain may show aggression or avoidance behaviours.
• Treating the underlying pain often leads to significant improvements in behaviour
• Takeaway: Before labelling a dog as “stubborn” or “bad,” ensure a thorough veterinary and pain assessment. Supporting your dog’s comfort is not only humane, it’s the foundation for effective behaviour management
• Myotherapy and Rehabilitative exercises can be part of a multi modal plan to reduce pain in musculoskeletal conditions, in conjunction with veterinary care and training/behavioural work.
💡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

07/01/2026

What is Canine Myotherapy?
Myotherapy is a form of clinical massage that focuses on treating soft tissue structures including muscles, fascia, ligaments, and tendons. The aim is to release tension, restore balance, and promote correct recruitment of muscle chains for efficient movement.
It is similar in principle to a sports massage you may have experienced yourself, but specifically adapted for canine anatomy and biomechanics.
Myotherapy can help to reduce pain, improve joint mobility and flexibility, and support your dog in moving comfortably and confidently at their very best. Where appropriate, functional exercises will also be recommended to help restore healthy movement patterns and support long-term results.
Please note that veterinary consent is a legal requirement prior to treatment. This is something I organise directly with your veterinary surgeon, so there is nothing additional you need to do.
If you would like to learn more about how myotherapy could support your dog, feel free to get in touch.
💡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

06/01/2026

But if they have got to the stage where they are limping…………
If your dog is limping, “just rest” isn’t always the full solution.
Limping often means the body is compensating, muscles tighten, load shifts, and other areas start working overtime. While rest can reduce irritation, it doesn’t address why the limp started or how the rest of the body is coping.
Myotherapy helps by:
• Releasing tight or overworked muscles
• Improving circulation and tissue recovery
• Restoring more balanced movement patterns
• Reducing compensatory strain on joints and other limbs
Without intervention, compensations can linger long after the limp fades, increasing the risk of re-injury or new issues elsewhere. As part of a multimodal plan, myotherapy plus veterinary consent and guidance will restore your dog back to their full potential.
Myotherapy works alongside appropriate controlled exercise to support healing and function, helping your dog move more comfortably and confidently as they recover. This is then followed by functional movement exercises to rehabilitate movement patterns and strengthen your dog.
If your dog is limping, early bodywork can make a meaningful difference, not just now, but long-term.
💡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

Fay Talbot Canine Myotherapy & Performance

28/01/2026

26/01/2026

23/01/2026

21/01/2026

19/01/2026

17/01/2026

16/01/2026

14/01/2026

12/01/2026

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