Canine Gait, Massage and Stretching Workshop

This practical, hands-on workshop is designed for anyone who wants to improve their dog’s comfort, movement and overall fitness. You will learn how to look at your dog’s gait, recognise small changes that may affect performance or comfort, and use simple massage and stretching techniques to help your dog move more freely.

Our Canine Gait, Massage and Stretching Workshop, led by Veterinary Physiotherapy Lynsey, is suitable for:

• Pet dogs who would benefit from better mobility and long-term joint comfort
• Working and sporting dogs who need good movement, endurance and quicker recovery
• Gundog handlers wanting to support their dog through training days, shoot days or regular exercise
• Anyone who wants to understand their dog’s body better and feel confident supporting their ongoing fitness and wellbeing

During this Canine Gait, Massage and Stretching Workshop we will cover:

• How to observe your dog’s gait and understand what is normal for them
• How repetitive activity, training or lifestyle can influence their movement
• Safe, effective massage techniques to release tension, improve circulation and aid recovery
• Gentle stretches that can be used for warm-up, cool-down or regular maintenance
• How these skills reduce the risk of injury, support recovery and help improve performance
• When to seek further help from your vet, physiotherapist or another professional

By the end, you will know what to look for, how to support your dog’s comfort at home, and how to help them stay active and healthy for longer.

Important information for participants

• Dogs attending must be comfortable settling around other dogs during the massage work in the barn
• Please bring a flat bed for your dog to lie on during the massage section, as well as normal treats. Squeezy cheese or liver paste can be useful for the stretching section.
• If your dog has a diagnosed musculoskeletal condition, please email us with details no later than two weeks before the workshop.

Whether your goal is to keep a pet dog comfortable or help a gundog perform at its best, you’ll leave with a clear understanding of what to look for. This should help build confidence in how to support your dog’s ongoing fitness and health needs but also how to recognise when extra help from your vet, physiotherapist or other professionals may be needed.