Time for Pooch Canine Massage

26/02/2026

We thought we knew how to train puppies… but Toffie proved us wrong 🦘

We’ve grown up with dogs and had them most of our adult lives. We’ve always trained them ourselves and felt pretty confident doing so.

But Toffie? She came in like a mini tornado. 🌪️
A clever, bouncy tornado, who decided she would have us dancing to her tune, and she did! 🎵

Very quickly we realised that experience doesn’t automatically mean you’re equipped for every dog in front of you. So we called in some professional guidance from K7 - Dog Training Services.

Best decision we ever made.

The biggest shift wasn’t just obedience. It was calmness. 🧘

When a dog is constantly over-aroused — excited, reactive, unable to switch off — their sympathetic nervous system (the fight/flight system) stays switched on. That means:

• Elevated cortisol (stress hormone)
• Increased muscle tension
• Reduced recovery after exercise
• Poorer sleep quality
• Heightened reactivity
• Less ability to learn

💪Muscles held in repeated tension patterns don’t fully relax. Breathing becomes shallower. Recovery hormones are suppressed. Puppies, who are growing rapidly, are especially vulnerable because their joints, muscles and movement patterns are still developing.

With consistent and structured training, Toffie has learned how to switch off. She’s no longer the wild jumping bean ruling the roost. She’s still has plenty of bouncy moments — but they are now interspersed with moments of calm.

🤯Remember:
Calm is not boring.
Calm is regulated.
Calm is healthy.

This experience has been such a reminder that sometimes the most responsible thing you can do — no matter how much experience you have — is ask for help. 💁‍♀️

And sometimes what your dog needs most isn’t more stimulation…
It’s the skill of settling.

16/02/2026

Excess weight is one of the biggest contributors to joint strain in dogs.

📊 Veterinary professionals in the UK estimate that around 46% of dogs they see are overweight or obese. (PDSA)

Even small amounts of extra body fat can:
• Increase pressure on hips and knees
• Alter posture
• Create compensation patterns
• Lead to muscle fatigue

This isn’t about blame — it’s about biomechanics.

When weight increases, the body has to adapt. And over time, those adaptations show up as stiffness or discomfort.

Nutrition plays a huge role in maintaining a healthy body condition and protecting long-term mobility.

14/02/2026

This week saw another physio clinic here at TFP HQ. While I had the expertise of Lily Moffatt Veterinary Physiotherapy on site I booked Toffie in for a puppy check.

You may wonder why a Vet Physio Check for a puppy?

Early physio checks help ensure your puppy is developing properly as they grow.

✔️ Detects joint or limb issues early
✔️ Supports healthy bone & muscle development
✔️ Helps prevent future mobility problems

With my therapists eye on Toffie I was seeing a few inconsistencies in gait and stance, worthy of a 2nd opinion.

🐾She has a very slight limp on her hind right
🐾She offloads weight from the hind right
🐾She doesn't stand 4 squared
🐾Her sit isn't neat and tidy
🐾She isn't keen on her hind quarters being touched
🐾Slight area of warmth over her pelvis indicative of inflammation.

Conscious that puppies grow fast and small imbalances now can become bigger issues later. Toffie now have some exercises to do to address a few quirks in her stance and gait. It turns out physio exercises are a great way to tire her out as she has to focus and control their movements.

Lily and I run regular physio and massage clinics so please get in touch if you would like your dog assessed.

Early assessment = healthier movement for life.

11/02/2026

What is the best way to support your dogs joints?

When we think about supporting our dog’s joints and muscles, we often think about exercise, supplements, or massage.

But one of the biggest influences on musculoskeletal health actually starts in the food bowl.

Nutrition affects:
🐾 Muscle strength
🐾 Joint comfort
🐾 Inflammation levels
🐾 Body weight
🐾 Recovery from daily wear and tear

As a canine massage therapist, I can often feel the difference in tissue quality and muscle tone between dogs supported with fresh, balanced nutrition and those who aren’t.

Healthy movement doesn’t start with treatment — it starts with daily support.

10/02/2026

A new article out in the Daily Mail about the effects of Librela. It is worth a read to educate yourself on the possible side effects of you don’t already know.

The facts aren’t all filtering through to the UK vet industry and the drug is being recommended on good faith but there are without a doubt some terrible side effects.

I’ve treated a couple of dogs who suffered after librela jabs and we worked really hard to negate the symptoms and had some success but the dogs never quite got back to where they were pre librela.

It can be a wonder drug but it can also be a killer, it is a gamble so please make sure you do your research.

Dr Nick Thompson, a global expert in dog nutrition, has urged other vets to 'do their research before injecting their pets with the controversial drug.

28/01/2026

It's all change here at TFP HQ, we have a new staff member. Meet Toffie a 5 month old Husky cross. She hasn't decided what she wants her role to be yet but I'm thinking Master of Mischief or maybe Chief Fun Officer.

💗Unlike Rhia's turbulent start in life, Toffie has come from a loving home so she is full of confidence and mischief, while Rhia was terrified of everyone and everything. This little lady is no doubt going to teach me lots over the years to comes just as Rhia did before her.

Key focus for me to look after her joints as they are developing.

😮At the ends her long bones are growth plates, which are soft areas of cartilage that allow bones to lengthen. Growth plates don’t fully fuse until a dog reaches maturity, and until that happens Toffie will be more susceptible to injury which could lead to joint problems later on in life.

​🦘So we are restricting the amount of jumping she does (which is hard when she seems to have been born with springs for legs!) and we're keeping to short age appropriate walks.

'🎓As much as Toffie needs to learn our rules and routine, we need to learn and adapt to her needs.

This is the start of a new journey and you will no doubt hear more of Toffie's antics and my learnings as time goes on.

25/01/2026

Collaboration is a going to be a key theme this year 😊

This week Moffatt Veterinary Physiotherapy and I ran our first Physio and Massage Clinic of the year. 3 lovely doggies benefited from the collaborative approach.

🐾We had one young dog had injured himself back in the summer and just hadn't quite recovered.

🐾We had a collie who wasn't settling for her routine massage treatments and needed a little bit of extra pain relief to help with joint stiffness.

🐾Plus we had a retired assistance dog who was suffering with tight fascia and the pain of arthritis.

We plan to run these clinics monthly so if you think your dog could benefit from our combined approach please get in touch.

In pic: Our beautiful retired assistance dog Sky. Lets get a 👍 for all the assistance dogs out there and the valuable role they play.

23/01/2026

🧠🐶 The bond between humans and dogs is deeper than we think, and this is something I’ve been reflecting on recently as I work through my grief.

Dogs aren’t just pets — they are our constant companions. 🐕💛

We provide daily care: feeding 🍲, walking 🚶‍♂️, grooming ✂️, and training 🎾, and naturally form emotional attachments to those we care for regularly.

We share routines — daily walks, playtime 🐾, and feeding schedules create mutual reliability, building trust and emotional safety. 🤝

We depend on them as much as they depend on us. 🐶❤️
Dogs rely on us for food, shelter 🏡, and protection. Humans gain companionship, emotional support 💛, and even physical activity from them. 🏃‍♀️

💆‍♂️ A simple way to strengthen the bond even more: canine massage.

Regular massage for your dog:
• Improves circulation 🩸 and mobility
• Reduces stress and anxiety 😌
• Supports joint and muscular health 💪
• Deepens emotional connection 💛

Just a few minutes of gentle touch can turn everyday care into deeper bonding, making both you and your dog feel calmer, happier, and more connected. 🐾💖

Drop your name below if you want to be informed of massage workshops I’m running this year! 📝
Learn a new skill and give back to your dog. 🐶✨

19/01/2026

Are you feeling the effects of the dark winter days? Did you know reduced sunlight can disrupt serotonin production and affect mood, energy, and motivation?

Well good news all your dog lovers, our furry friends can help us in these dark winter days.

🐾 Interacting with dogs can stimulate serotonin, along with oxytocin and dopamine — the same brain chemicals involved in mood regulation.
🌞 Dogs get us outside, increasing exposure to natural light, which is one of the most effective non-medical supports for SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)
🚶 Daily walks and routines encouraged by dogs naturally boost serotonin through movement and structure.
💛 Physical contact (petting, cuddling) reduces cortisol, helping serotonin pathways function more effectively.

Remember dogs are highly sensitive to human emotional states and may show parallel behavioural changes so keep going with those walks and routines.

16/01/2026

🧠🐶 Did you know dogs can boost serotonin?

Spending time with dogs isn’t just heart-warming — it’s science!

Research shows that petting, cuddling, or playing with a dog can trigger the release of serotonin, along with oxytocin and dopamine — the brain chemicals linked to happiness, calm, and emotional balance.

✨ What happens when you interact with a dog?
• Increased serotonin (supports mood & emotional regulation)
• Increased oxytocin (the bonding hormone)
• Decreased cortisol (stress hormone)

No wonder dog owners are happy people! Even short interactions can create a measurable “feel-good” response in the brain.

Dogs don’t just keep us company — they help regulate our nervous system. I am very much feeling this since I lost my wonderful woofer.

Science agrees: that wagging tail really is medicine. 💛

14/01/2026

❄️ Cold Weather = Extra Care for Your Dog’s Joints 🐾

As temperatures drop, stiff and achy joints can become more noticeable for our canine companions—especially seniors, active dogs, and those with arthritis. Cold weather can tighten muscles, reduce circulation, and make movement uncomfortable.

💙 How you can help:
• Keep walks shorter but consistent
• Warm up muscles before activity
• Use coats for added warmth
• Dry your dog after wet walks
• Provide soft, supportive bedding
• Incorporate regular canine massage to improve circulation, ease stiffness, and support joint health

Massage isn’t just relaxing—it’s a powerful way to keep your dog moving comfortably all winter long.

🐕‍🦺 Caring for joints today means happier, healthier movement tomorrow.

08/01/2026

Great post from Carol at PetTherapy Veterinary Acupuncture & Integrated Pain Management.

Do you know the difference between chronic and acute pain? Chronic pain is often hidden and silent and for this reason can be overlooked but it is really important to get this treated as it has a long term effect on the body.

Dogs are very good at adjusting to chronic pain and as such we often don’t realise it is there. It is important to get your dog checked over by pain specialist.

Today is which is obviously relevant to our pets because they rarely tell us ‘Ow, it hurts’.

Here is a quick rundown on the difference between acute and chronic pain and how to spot possible signs in your pet:

- Acute pain has a purpose
-your dog stands on a thorn or pulls a nail, they yelp, hold up the paw, it’s obvious something is wrong. Their body sends pain signals from the injured area to the brain where it is processed in the sensory areas (‘I can feel pain’) and the emotional/behavioural areas (‘this experience is dangerous/scary and I need to protect the injured area’) These behaviours promote healing.

- Chronic pain uses these same mechanisms but it is no longer useful
- Your cat’s hips have developed arthritis. They hurt, but it is a dull background pain they have got used to so you don’t hear any yelping, you don’t see any limping. Their brain is still receiving these signals (‘i can feel pain’,’this experience is dangerous/scary and I need to protect the injured area’) - so they feel miserable but in the longer term their behaviour becomes withdrawn or ‘grumpy’/aggressive (because touch or being picked up is a threat to the sore areas) or they adapt their movement or habits (‘I won’t use the litter tray because it hurts to step in/out’, ‘ill hide under the bed because I don’t want the toddler to find me’ ‘I won’t go outside because the cat flap is too much effort’ ‘I won’t go outside because I can’t jump over the fence if next door’s dog comes for me’.

- Chronic pain behaviours do not promote healing and lead to a reduced quality of life and increased suffering

We have to tackle chronic pain if we are to relieve suffering in our pets and the first step is being aware of it.

If your pet has changed their habits, behaviours or social interactions could it be pain? Take them to your vet and discuss your concerns, and consider a painkiller trial even if there is no ‘obvious’ source of pain.

We owe it to our pets to look for what they are telling us.