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

17/02/2026

And guess what? If they are young dogs they will still run around! Young dogs are incredibly resilient. Sometimes, too resilient.
It’s a common misconception that if a young dog is running, playing, and zooming around, they must be pain-free. In reality, many young dogs will continue high energy behaviours even while experiencing chronic discomfort or lameness.
Here’s why:
• Adrenaline masks pain - Excitement and environmental stimulation can temporarily override discomfort.
• Drive > discomfort – Play, prey drive, and social engagement are neurologically rewarding.
• Pain becomes “normal” – Dogs adapt. If they’ve felt discomfort for weeks or months, it can become their baseline.
• They don’t generalize rest like humans do – Movement is instinctive. Slowing down is often a last resort behaviour.
Conditions like hip dysplasia, soft tissue strain, osteoarthritis, or repetitive strain injuries don’t always present as obvious lameness.
Movement does not equal comfort.
Energy does not equal soundness.
As professionals and owners, our job is to look beyond zoomies and ask:
Is this dog moving well, or just moving a lot?
Early intervention matters. Subtle compensation patterns, if ignored, can become long-term dysfunction.
If you work with young dogs, make gait assessment and postural evaluation part of your routine, not just performance output.
💡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

13/02/2026

😍😍Buddy😍😍
I have been treating Buddy recently as his conscientious Owner had noticed that he was hesitating to jump. Buddy is an older dog who is incredibly fit, still going for his 5k runs! I help to keep Buddy in tip top shape, so that he can continue to do the running for as long as possible. He was so nervous when he first started coming to me, but now he feels safe with me he relaxes, confident that if he gives the smallest cue, I will respond and change what I am doing when asked to do so. Choice led treatment is so powerful.

11/02/2026

Why Vet Consent Matters Before Starting Myotherapy
Myotherapy can be incredibly beneficial, but it should never begin without veterinary consent.
🔍 Here’s why it’s essential:
• Accurate diagnosis: A vet must first rule out fractures, infections, neurological issues, or systemic disease that could make myotherapy unsafe.
• Medical clearance: Some conditions require imaging, medication, rest, or surgery before rehab is appropriate.
• Safe treatment planning: Vet input ensures exercises and manual techniques don’t worsen underlying pathology.
• Ethical & legal practice: Working with vet consent protects the animal, the owner, and the therapist and keeps care within professional scope.
• Best outcomes: Collaboration between vet and myotherapist leads to clearer goals, safer progression, and better long-term results.
🤝 Myotherapy works best as part of a team = multimodal care
Vet-led diagnosis + rehab professional expertise = optimal care for the animal.
The animal’s welfare always comes first.
💡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

09/02/2026

Just because they can do zoomies doesn’t mean they should. Dog's live in the present moment, they don't have the capacity to plan for the future.
When an arthritic dog gets the chance to explode into zoomies, it often looks joyful in the moment, but the aftermath tells a different story.
🔥 Sudden acceleration
🔥 Sharp turns and skids
🔥 High joint loading on already inflamed tissue
For an arthritic dog, that spike in force can mean micro-trauma to joints and soft tissue, leading to 2–3 days of soreness, stiffness, and reduced mobility afterward.
Pain doesn’t always show up immediately. It shows up later as:
• Slower transitions
• Shorter strides
• Reluctance to move
• Behavioral changes
Movement is medicine, but only when it’s the right dose.
Controlled, intentional exercise builds resilience. Explosive, unplanned activity often just borrows comfort from the future.
If your senior or arthritic dog feels “worse a few days later,” this is often why.
Train smart. Move thoughtfully. Protect tomorrow’s comfort. 🐾
💡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

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

Fay Talbot Canine Myotherapy & Performance

17/02/2026

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11/02/2026

09/02/2026

28/01/2026

26/01/2026

23/01/2026

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