Prior to your first appointment it is important for you to prepare your dog so they can have a proper assessment and session. Please read the following to ensure your dog is well prepared for their session. An email with outlined requirements prior to initial appointment will be sent upon booking.
Brushed if long hair / actively blowing coat / prone to matts
Dog must be dry - Wet fur is uncomfortable for your dog to be worked on with (wet feet are ok)
Limit activity the day of session to a normal walk (no hiking/daycare/extensive workouts they are not used too)
After a session no extensive workout that they are not used to for the remainder of the day.
Do not give your dog any medications or meals one hour prior to session
Prepare a comfortable area your dog likes with minimal distractions
The first session will include an in-depth analysis of your dogs gait (walk, trot, canter) a backyard or green space close to house is ideal. Once the gait assessment is finished we move on to assess your dog in their natural movement/behavior. Following this I perform a hands on assessment of their range of motion, structure, conformation and document all findings.
The initial bodywork session is not necessarily to “fix” the problems but establish a trust relationship with the dog and find the areas of concern that may not be visible to the untrained eye.
Working within the dogs comfort level is crucial for their ability to trust and find relaxation and release of muscle tension. Some sessions may be longer than indicated time if dog allows and some sessions may be shorter due to your dog indicating they are finished for the day.
Following the session it is normal for your dog to be tired and sleep for the remainder of the day. They can also appear more stiff before you see an improvement due to the increased blood flow to the area. Allow your dog to relax following a session without high endurance activity for the remainder of the day.