Fay Talbot Canine Myotherapy & Performance

25/04/2026

Meet Charlie 😍😍😍
Charlie was so frightened and anxious of touch when I first met him, through allowing choice and a lot of patience, we had a massive breakthrough yesterday and he allowed me to perform a full treatment for the first time. When a dog is very painful, it is even more important to take things slowly.
It is so important to allow a dog "choice" during treatment, this builds up so much trust between myself and the 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

24/04/2026

Pain changes behaviour.
If your dog suddenly starts hesitating at the stairs, it’s easy to assume they’re being stubborn… but more often, they’re trying to tell you something important.
Climbing stairs requires strength, joint stability, and coordination, especially through the hips, knees, spine, and shoulders. When a dog is dealing with discomfort (think arthritis, soft tissue injury, or spinal sensitivity), stairs become physically demanding and unpredictable.
So what do they do?
They avoid.
You might notice:
• Pausing at the bottom or top of the stairs
• Taking them more slowly (or one step at a time)
• Refusing altogether
• Looking back at you for help
• Subtle signs like stiffness after using them
Avoidance isn’t bad behaviour—it’s a protective strategy.
Forcing or encouraging a dog through pain can make things worse, both physically and emotionally. Instead, it’s worth asking: what’s making this hard for them?
• Support might include:
• Pain assessment with a vet and myself
• Pain relief (pharmaceutical) and targeted myofascial release therapy
• Environmental changes (ramps, limiting stair use)
• Strength and conditioning work

When we listen to what behaviour is telling us, we can respond in a way that actually helps.
Your dog isn’t being difficult. They’re adapting the best way they can.
💡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

21/04/2026

Congratulations Teaka & Sue for completing their 8 week Canine Conditioning Academy Foundation course! I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you two, we have had many laughs along the way!
If you are interested in helping your dog to become stronger and symmetrical (with a lot of laughs along the way!) I offer 121 Canine Conditioning Academy courses for pet dogs, working dogs and competition dogs in Dorking, Surrey.
💡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

19/04/2026

16/04/2026

As a qualified Canine Myotherapist & licensed Canine Conditioning Academy Coach, I assess your dog’s gait and posture to identify subtle asymmetries and movement patterns that often go unnoticed. These small imbalances can be early indicators of discomfort, compensation, or potential injury down the line.
Sometimes, what looks “normal” to you may reveal a deeper issue through a trained eye. That’s where I come in.
By catching these details early, we can support your dog’s movement, improve their comfort, and help them stay active and happy for longer.
Because better movement = better quality of life. 💛
If you’ve ever wondered whether your dog is moving as well as they could be, it might be time for a closer look.
💡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

13/04/2026

Slippery floors might seem harmless, but for dogs, they can quietly contribute to long-term joint damage.
When a dog walks on a surface with poor traction (like tile, laminate, or hardwood), they instinctively adjust their movement to avoid slipping. This often means:
• Shorter, more cautious strides
• Increased muscle tension
• Altered posture and weight distribution
Over time, these compensations can place abnormal stress on joints, soft tissues, and the spine. This is especially concerning for puppies (whose joints are still developing), senior dogs, and those with existing mobility issues.
What starts as a small adaptation can gradually lead to:
• Joint wear and tear
• Increased risk of injury
• Reduced confidence in movement
Simple changes can make a big difference:
✔ Use rugs or runners in high traffic areas
✔ Add non-slip mats near food bowls and doors
✔ Keep nails trimmed and paw pads healthy
Supporting your dog’s environment is just as important as exercise when it comes to long-term mobility and joint health.
Rugs in the house can seem annoying, but it is worth it to prevent long term damage to your dog, which will save you money in the future.
💡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

10/04/2026

Worried your dog will be nervous at their first appointment?
That’s completely understandable, and honestly, something I expect and plan for.
The beautiful Lexie in the photo, is an anxious little girl, but she calmed down fairly quickly once she realised that she could trust me.
My goal isn’t to rush in and “get things done.” It’s to build a relationship with your dog based on mutual consent and trust. And that takes time.
Many dogs have experienced lots of handling at the vets, often necessary, but not always comfortable from their perspective. That can shape how they feel about new environments and new people.
That’s why I work at your dog’s pace.
We go as slowly as they need, listening to what they’re telling us, and making sure they feel safe every step of the way.
Because real progress starts with trust. 🐾
💡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

17/02/2026

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