Time for Pooch Canine Massage

01/01/2026

A reminder that Belvoir Castle is opening its grounds today for a New Years Walk with proceeds going to Dove Cottage Day Hospice. More details here
https://www.belvoircastle.com/event/cG9zdDozNTQ=

31/12/2025

Here we are again on the cusp of a new year. This last year has been challenging to say the least, a year of loss and endings, but I don't want to dwell on the past I am looking ahead to 2026.

I have lots planned for the year ahead, it is going to be an exciting one.
🐾 There will be more workshops planned, with some exciting new topics and new partnerships
🐾 Catching up with the digital world I will making some of my workshop content available online
🐾More clinic days with Moffatt Veterinary Physiotherapy which are not just great for my clients but good learning for me too
🐾More learning planned, starting with completing the WEBB Energy Healing
🐾Conferences to attend. Inside Out Symposium 2026 at Hartpury is the first one booked but more to come
🐾Get together with my WEBB colleagues A Calmer Canine and for more shared learning
🐾As always there will be a focus on personal growth as well as canine learning.

Before we end the year I want to say a HUGE thankyou to all my clients. I have loved meeting you all and treating your dogs. Thank you for trusting me with their care, I look forward to working with you in 2026 to help dogs live a life free from pain and anxiety.

26/12/2025

Amidst the holiday chaos, your dog’s internal clock is still ticking! ⏰🦴

Disrupted routines are one of the biggest stressors for mobility-challenged pets. Missing a scheduled dose of joint supplements or a pain medication window can lead to a “pain spiral” that takes days to recover from.

This week, try to prioritize: ✅ Regular medication times (set a phone alarm!) ✅ Gentle, short walks rather than one long “family hike.” ✅ Familiar feeding times to avoid digestive upset.

Consistency is the best gift you can give your senior dog this year! 🎁

24/12/2025

Great advice from my friend Ruth A Calmer Canine. Remember your dogs wellbeing this Christmas and give them the space they need.

One of the best gifts you can give your dog this Christmas is some peace and quiet.
Dogs are very sensitive to us humans and to our environments. So if your home is full of noise, shouting, laughter and excitement this Christmas or maybe there's sadness, grief, stress and tears, it's highly likely your dog will feel it too.
Take some time out to sit with your dog in a quiet and calm space away from all the hustle and bustle and slowly stroke him/her without speaking for at least 15 minutes.
This will help bring their energy and/or stress levels down and avoid them being over-stimulated or stressed and anxious which can lead to snapping, nipping or even biting.
Like us, each dog is unique and reacts to situations differently depending on their upbringing, breed, background etc
Your dog has no choice but to share your home and your Christmas, so please stop to consider how it might be affecting him/her. Ensure they've a quiet space to retreat to if it all becomes too much. And never leave an anxious or over-excited dog alone with young children - however 'good' you think they are.

And always remember - Tedgonefishing rules ok!

Wishing you and your furry friends a very Happy Christmas and healthy 2026.

24/12/2025

I realise have been quiet on here recently but don't worry I am still here quietly treating your dogs in the background 😉. I have been adjusting to life without a four legged companion by my side and my energy has been consumed with healing. Rhia was the founder of my business, and a major contributor to my success and I shall continue in her memory. 🐾

For now I just wanted to stop by and wish you and your furry friends a very Happy Christmas and healthy 2026.

Remember keep a close on eye on your dogs this Christmas make sure they don't steal the turkey, chocolates, Christmas pudding or anything else!

21/12/2025

Curious about how to make kibble at home? Watch this video for an eye opening account on what dogs food is made from.

19/12/2025

Some wise words from Catherine Muttleys Dog Walking and Canine First Aid Training.

Dogs are carnivores and do best on a meat diet. They are designed to eat meat and yet so many companies out there are trying to convince us we should feed them a vegetarian or even vegan diet!! Whilst dogs may tolerate that in the short term, long term it will bring health issues as their bodies are not designed to eat large amount of carbohydrates or plant matter.

I switched to feeding Rhia meat after she had allergies to every sort of kibble going. I saw the benefits it bought to her health and I recommend a fresh meat based diet wherever possible.

I can stay silent no more. Dogs are not Omnivores and they are certainly not Herbivores no matter what your lifestyle, beliefs or ideals might be.

Dogs share 99.9% of their DNA with wolves and like wolves they are Facultative Carnivores, that is they primarily eat meat but in times of hardship can survive on a non-meat diet but they certainly won’t thrive long term. In fact, wolves ‘rarely average more than 3% vegetation in their diet’ (Brady, 2021).

Dog’s teeth are designed to eat raw meat and bones. They have an average bite force of 235 pounds per square inch and like most carnivores they have carnassial teeth designed to help them crush bones and their large canines are for tearing and ripping meat.

Furthermore dogs have no sideways movement in the jaw like omnivores for grinding down plant matter. Neither do they produce amylase in their saliva which is present in the saliva of herbivores and omnivores to help them breakdown plant carbohydrate.

Their throat allows them to gulp down large chunks of meat and bone and like all carnivores they have a shorter stomach as meat, bones and organs take less time to digest compared to plant material. Their stomachs possess a highly acid PH level of 1 or 2, ideal for digesting raw meat and bones

Although dogs can digest carbohydrates and whilst they may benefit from the addition of some veg and berries, the mainstay of their diet should be protein from MEAT.

The only time I would ever consider feeding a vegan diet is if they literally could not tolerate any form of protein from meat, basically an absolute last resort. If you want a pet that doesn't eat meat I suggest you get a hamster.

18/12/2025

There are certainly benefits to using retractable leads but they do pose a safety risk. If you want your dog under control then they don’t achieve that.

Many years ago I walked my dog on a retractable lead as she was very nervous rescue and liable to bolt if I let her off.

One morning she spooked and bolted, pulling the lead out of my hand, the lead bounced along the ground after her spooking her even more. Tragically she ran into a lorry and died on the roadside.

In this instance the retractable lead did not provide the control I needed, it did not keep my girl safe and it made the situation worse.

So please think twice before using a retractable lead.

🐾 Retractable Leads: Why I Strongly Advise Against Them 🐾

This week I had a conversation with a dog owner that really stuck with me. She got in touch after her Spaniel managed to break her leg after winding up speed on a retractable lead. She was incredibly lucky — the injury could have been far worse, and the lead also cut deeply into her skin as it tightened.
Sadly, this isn’t a rare story.
Retractable leads might feel convenient, but from both a training and safety perspective, they come with serious risks.

🚫 Why retractable leads cause problems
• They teach dogs to pull — tension on the lead = forward movement
• Dogs learn that pulling works
• There’s no consistent feedback to help dogs understand where the boundary is
• The thin cord can cause serious burns or cuts to hands, legs and other dogs
From a training point of view, they undo calm lead walking before it’s even begun.

⚠️ The safety risks
Retractable leads aren’t just about pulling:
• Clutches can fail
• Dogs can suddenly bolt at full speed
• Owners can be pulled off balance
• Dogs can be dragged into roads before there’s time to react
There have been countless incidents of dogs and owners being injured this way — and unfortunately, not all end as “near misses”.

✅ What to use instead
A fixed-length lead gives:
✔️ clarity for your dog
✔️ control for you
✔️ safer, calmer walks
✔️ better communication
Long lines have their place — but they should be manual, controlled and used with intention, not constantly under tension.

I know retractable leads are popular, and I understand why people buy them. But when we look at what they teach dogs and the risks involved, they’re one piece of equipment I will always advise against.
Your walks should be safe, connected and enjoyable — not a gamble every time you step outside.
If you’re struggling with pulling or lead control, the answer isn’t more lead… it’s better skills 🐶💛

To learn good lead walking skills why not join our intense master class in January to start 2026 with easier dog walks - Link in comments

18/12/2025

Take you dog and walk round the stunning grounds of Belvoir Castle on New Years Day. All proceeds are going to Dove Cottage Day Hospice Don’t miss this opportunity to view the grounds and support a local charity.

07/12/2025

What a great workshop we had yesterday so many wise woofers bought their hoomans along to learn about physio and massage. Having completed the 1st part online we were able to get straight into exercises and massage techniques.
It was great to see such enthusiasm to learn and so many willing participants. Well done dogs and hoomans, you were an awesome bunch of attendees.
Lily Moffatt Veterinary Physiotherapy Time for Pooch Canine Massage

28/11/2025

🚨 please share 🚨
Yesterday we had a young male entire cream/white lurcher brought into the practice, found by a member of the public in the Kirby Bellars area. He has no microchip. Please contact the practice on 01664 567481 if you believe he could be yours or have any information regarding who he may belong to. Thank you!