Phoenix Canine Therapies

11/06/2024

10/06/2024

Just in case anyone hasn’t heard, there have been two cases of Alabama Rot linked to Moreton Ford this last week. Sadly neither dog recovered 😢💔

23/05/2024

Our AGILITY 4 ALL show is still open for pre booking, we have also added another steeplechase run for you all. This show is for beginners and novice dogs only. Come and give it a go, you will love our small friendly show 👏👏🐾🐾🏃🏽‍♂️🏃🏽‍♂️🏃🏽‍♂️🥰🥰☑️

10/05/2024

What a difference a week makes!

Myla last week for her maintenance session was agitated and unsettled for the whole session. Clearly in some discomfort, and not really very happy about being treated. Because I couldn’t get to everything I wanted to, she needed to come back today….and it couldn’t have been more different.

Myla came in, lay down, and just let me crack on with her treatment. By the end, all of the tightness, trigger points, and back strains were resolved, and she’ll feel fantastic in a couple of days (after a short rest period).

Because every dog is different, with varying levels of discomfort or pain, I will go as slowly as the dog needs me to. I never force them to accept my treatment, so sometimes that means they have to come back to see me sooner than each expected. Thankfully, Myla has a great mum in Jayne-marie Appleyard who understands this, and keeps coming back so Myla can stay happy, healthy, and just a little bit crazy 🤪.

09/05/2024

Harnesses:
If you’ve been around me for a while, you’ll have seen me wince (or mutter) when I see dogs in some of the popular/trendy harnesses. I’m then prone to waffle on about needing ‘y-shaped’ harnesses (and why). This fantastic video shows exactly what I try to put in words.

08/05/2024

Bit late posting this, but proof that even crazy whippets relax! Took a while…but it we finally got there. Echo should be back to his normal crazy self and causing absolute chaos again by now 😂

03/05/2024

🐕 Oil Seed R**e is NOT highly toxic to dogs. The scent can be overpowering, causing dogs to get lost. Some dogs suffer allergic reactions to the sap, and they'll probably throw up if they eat it. But it isn't deadly. However, please keep your dog on the footpath through r**e (and any other crops) as any damage causes farmers to lose money.
🐕 Ice is NOT deadly. If it's a warm day, your dog might enjoy some ice in their water bowl or a frozen treat. Freezing food stuffed toys makes them last longer. Raggies soaked in chicken broth and frozen are great for teething. But if your dog is suffering heat exhaustion, avoid ice. The shock of icy water on the stomach could cause vomiting and further dehydration.
🐕 Adders are rarely deadly, but their bites cause very unpleasant and painful wounds. If you suspect an adder bite.call your vet and get there as soon as possible. Carry or stretcher your dog if possible. Cool water might soothe the pain a little, but don't delay getting to the vet. Antivenom is not essential, but your vet will know where the nearest supply is if necessary. Adder bells probably don't work, walking with a stick (which vibrates the ground), and keeping your dog on the path is safest.
🐕Most garden bulbs are NOT deadly. A nibble of a daffodil or bluebell leaf may cause stomach irritation, that's all. Eating a large amount of bulbs could be dangerous. Some garden plants, including Foxglove, Lily of the Valley, and Oleander, are toxic in small quantities and should be avoided.
🐕 Ticks must only be removed with a suitable tick hook or similar tool. They must never be smothered in liquid soap, doused in alcohol, burnt, or squashed. If the tick is disturbed it is more likely to infect your pet (or you!) if it is carrying disease.

02/05/2024

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
– Abraham Lincoln

Massage can’t turn back time, but it can help with chronic pain, mobility, stiffness, and give your dogs a better quality of life in their final years.

Here are just a few of my oldies I see to help keep them as fit and active as possible in their twilight years. Here are Ludo (15); Niles (13) (plus his father, Odie (18) - sadly, no picture today); and my guys - Pepper (13), and Jet (14).

EDIT: Please add pics of your fabulous oldies in the comments - I love to see them all 🥰

12/04/2024

Thought I’d take the time to show you all that a lot of the dogs I see find the massage a little challenging at times. I am afterall deliberately finding the sore bits, in order to make them better. I will always listen to the dogs, however, and go at their pace, even if that means we leave and come back to an area of concern many many times.

Here’s Ruby with three expressions showing me how she feels- nervous look with mouth open and tight; lip licking; then as she starts to release the tension- yawning.

Pictures in the comments showing her after I release those pesky hamstrings. Then by the time we got to the other side, she was properly chilled out, and could just relax.

11/04/2024

Really important message from Canine Arthritis Management.

It’s never too early to start making changes to help your dog:
- add rugs to slippy floors
- avoid repetitive actions like ball throwing
- add stairs or ramps to help your dogs get into/out of cars
- add steps or poofe etc to help them get onto sofas and beds

Visit the CAM and Canine Massage Guild websites for more ways to help slow down their arthritic changes, and reduce the impact daily living takes on their joints

11/04/2024

06/04/2024

Oh wow. So much information!!! I’m spending the weekend doing extra CPD and learning so I can better help my clients’ dogs in the future. I’ve learned so much already, and it’s only halfway through.

Sorry (not sorry)…I’m gonna bore you all with things I’ve learned this weekend!!! Canine Arthritis Management

27/03/2024

I’m spoiling myself and having an Easter ‘break’, so I’ll be out of the pod from Friday. Normal service resumes on Wednesday 3rd.

Hope you all have an eggcellent weekend xx

27/03/2024

Such clever girls in today:
Reva is super nervous about anyone touching her, but has a lot of myofascial pain and back strains from ‘being a spaniel’. We took it very slow, and allowed her lots of breaks and downtime so she didn’t become overloaded.

Sonnet was a bit tight, with a lot of shoulder stiffness. She worries a lot about things, so we took it very slowly with her too.

Both very worried in their own way, but were absolutely super. These are the post massage pics where they’re really relaxed and calm. Quiet day for them tomorrow to process the treatment, and let their bodies do the healing.

26/03/2024

Just to let everyone know:
I’ve got a client whose dog has just been diagnosed with Alabama Rot. They have only been walked between White Lackington and Piddletrenthide; and only on pavement and fields - not woodland in this case.

Please be vigilant for any unexplained wounds on feet, legs, or face. Contact your vet asap if worried.

Please share with any friends and family who might be affected.

Edit: I’ve been asked how the wounds look, so these show progression of the wounds in just a few days (please note, these are stock photos, not photos of the actual dog, but they pretty accurately show the timeline)

22/03/2024

This!!!

‘My dog is naughty/bad/untrainable/dominant/stupid’

I hear this most weeks on intake forms. Usually I get pretty excited to see these cos I know I’m gonna get to change a dog and owners life!

So often we write our dogs off as any adjective that fits the above and honestly, I’m yet to meet a dog who fits any of those adjectives (and I have worked with 10k plus dogs over the ten years I’ve been doing this!). I do however week in week out meet dogs with health issues that contribute to their slow progress in terms of training. Did you know dogs don’t show pain or discomfort how we do? We often think ‘oh he isn’t limping or yelping so he is fine’.

Please read the examples below ⬇️

🐾 A huntaway cross who I work with who bit his owner. Reluctant to have his feet cleaned, got spicy over any intense handling, had periods of seeming insanity and relentless barking and being unable to calm down. Huntaways are vocal dogs… but…

Turns out he had hip dysplasia. This dog didn’t limp. He wasn’t lame in any way. He chased his ball and sprinted and jumped and had no issues physically on the surface however under that behaviour was pain.

🐾 A French bulldog. Resource guarding to the extreme. Bit his owners while resource guarding the knot pattern in their wooden floor. Also bombed around without a worry in the world and had no outward signs of pain.

Turns out he had a severe spinal condition causing intermittent excruciating pain.

🐾 A young spaniel owned by a very good friend who was having confidence issues. She would ‘tap out’ of training on the regular and my friend went from ‘this is my ticket dog who will represent my country’ to ‘is this even possible?’

Dog had hormonal issues and likely spikes of hormones left right and centre. A carefully timed spay and she is now grade 6 in agility.

🐾 A friends Border Collie. Owned by a very experienced and talented agility handler and trainer. Regularly ‘checked out’ of training sessions, seemed to not be able to learn things that were moderately straightforward. Described by other trainers as ‘oh she is just a border collie it’s what they are like’.

Turns out she is mostly deaf.

🐾 A black Labrador. Always social and friendly and attended brilliant puppy classes and adolescent classes. Had the best start training wise you can imagine. He started showing some intermittent aggression to his owners in the home and aggression to other dogs out and about.

Turns out he had bilateral elbow dysplasia.

🐾 Young German Shepherd. Always energetic and silly in her behaviour but suddenly got worse. Excessive zoomies, inability to settle, increased reactivity to other dogs, reluctant to get in the car, obsessive destruction at home.

Turns out she had an infection in her va**na that was causing discomfort and exacerbating all those teenage behaviours to the point of being unmanageable.

🐾 My own dog! My NSDTR started missing his dog walk contact early last year. I was tearing my hair out trying to fix it.

Turns out he had a minor iliopsoas strain and some physio fixed the issue for us.

———————————

All these dogs have one thing in common. They are not stupid or untrainable or naughty or dominant. They are uncomfortable and that is triggering extreme behaviour fallout.

None of the above issues would be resolveable with training. All of the issues will be resolveable with training ONLY when the pain is resolved. Some of them will have drastic improvement from the moment the pain or discomfort is managed!

If your behaviourist or trainer doesn’t immediately advise a veterinary visit if any aggression, excessive ‘naughtiness’ or strange behaviour is present, walk away immediately. Even if you think your dog is fine, visit the vets. Ask for a thorough examination and push for a proper evaluation of your dog from nose to tail and potentially blood tests too. If you’re still not sure, get a second opinion.

You cannot train the pain or discomfort out of your dog. Address THIS first and foremost.

20/03/2024

Multi-modal approaches are absolutely what I advocate to keep your dogs healthy. Massage is fantastic, and can help with a lot of issues, but sometimes your dogs will need a little extra help…which may be from a chiropractor, physio, or even veterinary acupuncture.

I can’t recommend Serena McTimoney For Animals enough - she sees my guys if anything needs adjusting. I just keep the muscles and soft tissue in good shape 😉

It takes a team to help your animals stay sound and comfortable. It is always a collaboration as we all bring different skill sets to the table. Today my little Loki went for a massage session with the wonderful Jo from . I treat Loki on a regular basis with McTimoney Animal Chiropractic and massage. However I wanted Jo to have a look and she did wonders for Loki. Thankyou so much. Loki thoroughly enjoyed herself and is now snoozing at home.
It is worth considering if a multi therapy approach may benefit your animal if you are not quite getting to the root of the problem with the current therapy you are using.
Food for thought perhaps?

12/03/2024

I often talk about ‘fascia holding onto trauma’ in my sessions….this is what I’ve been referring to.

The idea that tissues may possess some sort of memory is a controversial topic in manual medicine, calling for research and clinical exploration.

Many bodyworkers, at some point in their practice, have experienced phenomena that may be interpreted as representing a release of memory traces when working on dysfunctional tissues.

This feeling may have been accompanied by some type of sensory experience, for the therapist and/or the patient.
In some cases, early traumatic experiences may be recalled. When this happens, the potency of the memory may be erased or eased, along with the restoration of tissue function.

Hence the question: can memories be held in the fascia?
And: are these memories accessible during manual fascial work?

Watch this research refresh summary in your Onlinepethealth Membership today

12/03/2024

🥰

No one ever told me that being a dog trainer was so hard. You would think refraining from using abusive methods and constantly gaining qualifications would spare you from people questioning your expertise but in this industry, force free trainers receive a lot of abuse. We also have to compete with others in the industry that don't even hold any recognised qualifications and that proudly use aversive methods.

The industry goes from extremes of "you don't need qualifications to be a dog trainer" to "become a behaviourist in a matter of weeks." Anyone can call themselves a behaviourist, regardless of whether they actually have a degree (or equivalent) and many claim to achieve what would take most of us years, in 6 months or less. In fact, they often charge almost double for their training sessions than those that have recognised qualifications and years of experience. Dog training books written by AI and apps promising users a perfectly obedient dog, have also become popular. This devalues the years of study and experience it takes to be a dog trainer and a writer. It's stealing work from those that are actually qualified and creative enough to do the job.

Recognised companies and even vets, are indorsing aversive trainers who have acquired popularity due to their controversial social media videos or tv shows. Their books are promoted as expert advice, despite them not having one single qualification to their name. They promise the 'perfect dog' whilst encouraging the dog owning public to physically correct and punish their dog. Then the government questions why dog attacks are on the rise. 🤷‍♀️

I'm sad to see so many talented force free trainers throw in the towel but I can't blame them. It can be so demoralising to see abusive trainers be more successful with bookings, social media and business in general. It has truly become a popularity contest, where your qualifications and experience supposedly have no merit.

Although it's difficult to admit, many of us are struggling mentally with this job. If it was just working with dogs, it would be so much easier. Many of us likely spend sleepless nights worrying about the dogs we couldn't help or the fact that we feel powerless to make a real difference in the industry. I'm so thankful to all the professionals that I'm lucky enough to call friends, that continue holding fast to their ethics and doing their part to make the world a safer place for dogs. The dog industry can be a dark place, but it's a little lighter thanks to you. - Holly Leake ©

Please feel free to like and share the post but please do not copy and paste the text or screenshot or edit the graphic in any way. Thank you.

12/03/2024

What a beautiful girl Cassie is. Kept in a crate for 8+ hours a day, before being rescued by her current owner, some of her muscles haven’t developed as they should, or are very tight. Despite everything , she’s incredibly trusting, so we’re going at her pace, and she lets me know when she’s had enough 🥰

12/03/2024

Been a bit lax recently with posting (sorry 🫣), so here’s the lovely Belle for you. She’s your normal mad spaniel, crazy pretty much all of the time 😂

This session was a bit of a breakthrough session, where she just relaxed (with the help of a fleecy blanky), and just went to sleep.

Dont worry if your dog never settles…there’s always a way for me to massage at least some part of them…and I’m learning I have infinite patience 😂

08/03/2024

Best of luck Hannah Cooke and Cassie tomorrow. Hope you guys have an amazing day 🥰

29/02/2024

Super free download from thw Canine Massage Guild.

*** FREE DOWNLOAD!!*** "How do I know if Canine Massage therapy may help my dog?".

We're glad you asked because we've got just the thing! Did you know that there's a really easy way to find out if your dog could be helped with canine massage therapy? Just click the link and you can download 'The 5 Principles of Pain' PDF, free, now! https://bit.ly/3OW5Q4T

* The 5 Principles of Pain was developed by our founder a few
years ago to help dog owners recognise clinical and sub-
clinical signs of pain that can be managed or resolved with the
Lenton Method® of canine massage therapy.

* It consists of 5 categories that breakdown indicators that
canine massage may be a viable therapy for your dog.

* The 5 Principles of Pain can also be used to track the
outcomes, or improvements in your dog, that you see from our
therapy too

* Our method tends to work pretty quickly, usually within 1-3
sessions according to the research by Wi******er University as
published in the Vet Record by the British Veterinary
Association. And if there's no change, we don't continue to
treat. Your dog is our No. 1 priority.

* Share this with your family and friends, it may be just the thing
that helps their dog

* Our therapy is affordable and can also be claimed via PetPlan
and other insurers

* Our ethical approach has positively changed the lives of
thousands of dogs across the world. So, if you are considering
our affordable, results driven therapy for your dog, download
the '5 Principles of Pain' guide and use our therapist register to
find your local therapist today!

https://www.k9-massageguild.co.uk/therapistregister/

25/02/2024

For all my lovely clients who don’t read their emails (you know who you are!! 😜!!), here’s the link to my new loyalty scheme. Should be self-explanatory, but please ask if any queries xx

15/02/2024

🤣😜

14/02/2024

These lovely boys came today for their massages. They’re father and son, and at 18 and 13 are doing really well. Even so, they both have some stiff and sore bits that can benefit from massage.

If you have an older dog, why not see if massage could help them too? Free muscular health checks available if you’re unsure.

13/02/2024

Ah the bliss post-massage.

Toby had been finding agility a bit difficult, so his owner came to see me. After finding (and relieving) some back strains and tightness in his muscles, he should be back to his old self in no time.
🥰

29/01/2024

Shamelessly stolen 😂

29/01/2024

Update 1/2: The online portal to apply to exempt is now CLOSED

XL Bully Exemption Application - Deadline Reminder:

From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully type dog in England and Wales unless your dog has a Certificate of Exemption.

We recommend you do not wait for further news on the application for the Judicial Review if you are planning to apply to exempt your dog/s.
We recommend you do not leave it until last minute in case of any issues with the application online and/or not getting completed on time.

The DEADLINE To Apply Online For A Certificate of Exemption is by NOON MIDDAY 12.00 on Wednesday 31st January 2024.

Apply for a Certificate of Exemption to keep an XL Bully dog online here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-certificate-of-exemption-to-keep-an-xl-bully-dog

Contact Us - DDA Watch if you need advice/help. FB Private message or email [email protected] or ring through to one of our telephone helplines to speak to a volunteer.

Before you apply; the application fee for each dog you want to apply for must be paid – you need the 10 digit payment reference number, you also need to have third party public liability insurance - you’ll need to know the start date of your insurance and you need to provide the microchip number.

In short - Application Fee paid – Insurance policy details – Dog’s Microchip number

Application Fee for a certificate of Exemption:
£92.40 per dog.
Payment is made online here: https://products.payments.service.gov.uk/pay/19dc34dca16248fb95e2cc2450b049fe
You will be emailed the payment confirmation.
You need the 10 digit payment reference number you will be given for your application to exempt.

Microchip Number:
Your dog needs to be micro-chipped and you need your dog’s microchip number.
(If your dog is less than 8 weeks old when you apply for a Certificate of Exemption, you have until 31 March 2024 to give the microchip number to the Dogs Index at Defra.)

If you don’t have your dog’s microchip number take your dog to the vet to scan for a chip.

Microchip record not up-to-date? You still proceed to exempt - The Dogs Index, Defra, have confirmed via email to us – the application for an XL Bully Certificate of Exemption will not be impacted if you have not yet changed your dog’s microchip record over to your name. However, it is your responsibility to ensure the microchip record is kept up to date.

Insurance:
You need to have third party public liability insurance to apply for exemption and this can be provided by the Dogs Trust Membership now called Companion Club.
£25 per year covers up to four dogs (£12.50 over 60s).
The policy must renew annually for the life of the exempted dog.
The policy needs to be in the same name as the person applying for the exemption certificate.

You will need to know the start date of your insurance - the start date of your insurance is the date that your payment cleared to join the Companion Club. If you need help to confirm your insurance start date or policy number email [email protected].
Dogs Trust Companion Club - Join Here: https://support.dogstrust.org.uk/companion/step1

Neutering:
Your dog doesn’t have to be neutered now to proceed with the application to exempt.

The deadlines to neuter and the information needed by Defra is given on the Government website here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prepare-for-the-ban-on-xl-bully-dogs

If your dog is less than 1 year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered and the form VCN01 received by the Dogs Index at Defra by 31 December 2024

If your dog older than 1 year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered and the form VCN01 received by the Dogs Index at Defra by 30 June 2024

Once your XL Bully dog has been neutered, you and your vet will need to fill in the confirmation of neutering form (VCN01). Your vet should then return the form to Defra.
If your dog has already been neutered, you and your vet must fill in the confirmation of neutering form. The vet should return the form to Defra. If the vet is not able to return the form, the owner can return the form to the Dogs Index at Defra.

Defra will use the form as evidence that the owner has met the neutering requirements for the dog so the Certificate of Exemption remains valid.

DDA Watch
www.ddawatch.co.uk

28/01/2024

Er komen steeds meer hondentrainers op de markt die het gebruik van een (slip)lijn hoog in de nek bij de hond adviseren en uitdragen. En dat is erg zorgwekkend! Het belangrijkste wat we als goede hondenprofessionals kunnen doen, is het effect ervan steeds weer te blijven delen:

HET GEBRUIK VAN EEN SLIPLIJN (HOOG IN DE NEK) EN DE EFFECTEN ERVAN

Er werd mij gevraagd om over het gebruik en biomechanica van een ‘sliplijn hoog-in-de-nek’ te schrijven. Ik hoop dat het mensen hierin bewust maakt.

Wat gebeurt er bij het gebruik van slip-lijn waarmee hoog in de hals door een opwaartse beweging wordt gecorrigeerd?
In deze hoge nek-positie zit de lijn naast de schedelbasis en waarbij de onderkant van de lijn met het tongbeenapparaat in aanraking komt (dit is het ophangmechanisme voor de tong en het strottenhoofd).

Daaronder zit de atlas (eerste halswervel) die aan het bovenkant een verbinding met de schedelbasis heeft. De onderkant met de tweede wervel heeft een pen die samen met het ruggenmerg in de boog van de atlas zit.

Het mechanisme
Deze twee bovenste gewrichten van de hondenhals zijn hoog bewegende gewrichten. De eerste maakt de op-en neer knikkende beweging (ja-knikken) mogelijk en de tweede de rotatie (nee-schudden). Deze gewrichten zijn in hun anatomie, articulatie* en vorm uniek in de wervelkolom.
(* Articulatie is de wijze waarop de boven- en ondertanden en kiezen over elkaar heen schuiven).

Wanneer er op de onderkant van de nek druk wordt uitgeoefend (door bijv de lijn), wordt het tongbeen samengedrukt en worden de wervels van de hond in buiging gebracht en wordt de schedel naar beneden getrokken (het hoofd van de hond maakt dan automatisch een knikkende beweging naar beneden).

Als er met een sliplijn- of ketting met kracht en/of hoge snelheid wordt gecorrigeerd kan de
2e wervel (de ophanging) breken.

Dus:
Correctie ➡️ tongbeen wordt samengedrukt ➡️ nek van de hond wordt hierdoor gebogen ➡️ schedel wordt hierdoor naar beneden getrokken ➡️ kans op breuk van de nekwervel is groot

Hoe voorzichtig het ook wordt uitgevoerd, deze methode mag vanuit veiligheid en pijn NOOIT gebruikt worden.

Tekst: Celia Cohen, MCSP, MSc dierenarts Fysica, Diergeneeskundig Fysiother**eut ACPAT(A)