Canine Support Crew

Canine Support Crew Your place for all the support you need with your new puppy or onward journey 🐾

09/06/2026

One thing I think dog owners underestimate is just how much information we can gather by simply watching our dogs move.

Not in a clinical way.

Not analysing every step.

Just paying attention.

How do they get up after a rest?

Do they move the same at the start and end of a walk?

Do they favour one side when sitting?

Do they still tackle hills, logs and obstacles with the same confidence?

As a physiotherapist, these are the sorts of things I notice every day.

And often the biggest changes aren’t dramatic.

They’re the subtle ones.

Today’s walk reminder:

Sometimes the best thing we can do for our dogs is slow down enough to really observe them.

🐾

What’s one thing your dog always does on a walk?

Sadly more dogs are loosing their lives due to being walked in the heat. Please remember that no dog ever died from miss...
25/05/2026

Sadly more dogs are loosing their lives due to being walked in the heat. Please remember that no dog ever died from missing a walk, but plenty have died from overheating.
Here are some guidelines...... stay cool out there folks.

23/05/2026

When one part of the body isn’t functioning normally…

The rest steps in.

And over time, that can lead to:
• Overload
• Tension
• Stiffness
• Compensation patterns

Especially through the limbs and muscles working harder to support movement.

This is why supporting the rest of the body matters.

Not as a “fix” for IVDD
but as part of overall comfort, movement, body awareness, and wellbeing.

Sometimes small, appropriate interventions can help dogs feel more comfortable as they adapt and recover.

If you’d like to feel more confident supporting your dog physically at home, I do have a guided canine massage course designed for owners, always intended to complement veterinary guidance, not replace it.

No pressure.
Just an option if and when it feels right for you and your dog.

Save this if you want to better support your dog’s body during recovery.
And share it, because this part is often overlooked.

22/05/2026

An IVDD diagnosis can feel like everything has changed overnight.

And in some ways, it has.

But this isn’t the end of your dog’s story.

Dogs are incredibly adaptable.

They don’t dwell on what they’ve lost.
They learn to work with what they have.

For some dogs, that might mean:
• A slower pace
• A different routine
• Rehabilitation
• Or even wheels

And that’s not failure.

That’s adaptation.
That’s resilience.
That’s life continuing, just in a different way.

There are also some incredible support networks out there, including:
Dedicated to Dachshunds
and
Pumpkin and Friends Charity

If you’re in this space right now, you’re not alone.

And there is still so much ahead.

Save this if you needed that reminder today.
And share it with someone who might need a little hope right now.

Crate rest can be one of the hardest parts of IVDD recovery, not just for dogs, but for owners too.Because you’re trying...
15/05/2026

Crate rest can be one of the hardest parts of IVDD recovery, not just for dogs, but for owners too.

Because you’re trying to balance two things at once:
Protecting the spine… while also supporting your dog’s emotional wellbeing.

And for active, intelligent dogs especially, that can feel incredibly challenging.

The good news is that mental enrichment still matters during periods of restricted movement.

Simple activities such as:
• Lick mats
• Snuffle mats and scent games
• Food puzzles
• Gentle training exercises such as paw, touch, or settle work
• Calm interaction and connection

Can help provide stimulation without overloading the body physically.

Recovery isn’t just physical.

Stress levels, frustration, emotional wellbeing, and nervous system regulation all play a role too.

Sometimes the goal during crate rest isn’t to “wear them out”.

It’s simply to help them feel calmer, safer, and more settled while the body heals.

Save this for enrichment ideas during recovery, or share it with someone currently navigating crate rest with their dog.

14/05/2026

Incontinence during IVDD recovery can feel like an extra weight. So many owners feel overwhelmed by constant cleaning, managing routines, and trying to keep their dog comfortable and safe.

And often, it’s not the incontinence itself people struggle with most.

It’s the pressure of trying to manage everything well.

Worrying about:
• Keeping their dog clean and dry
• Preventing urine scalding or infections
• Whether they’re doing things correctly
• Whether they might accidentally hurt their dog
• The sheer mental and physical exhaustion of managing it day after day

It can be incredibly hard work.

And if you’re in that position right now, please know:
Feeling overwhelmed does not mean you’re failing.

This is a big adjustment, and most owners are doing far better than they think they are.

You do not have to navigate it perfectly to still be doing a good job.

And you do not have to navigate it alone.

Save this if you needed that reminder today, or share it with someone who may be carrying more of this than people realise.

13/05/2026

Rest is an incredibly important part of early IVDD management.

But recovery doesn’t always end with rest alone.

In the early stages, reducing movement helps protect the spine while inflammation and irritation settle.

However, over time, prolonged inactivity can also contribute to:
• Muscle loss
• Stiffness
• Reduced body awareness
• Compensation patterns elsewhere in the body

This is where safe, appropriate rehabilitation becomes important.

The goal isn’t to rush recovery.

It’s to gradually support:
✔ Movement
✔ Strength
✔ Confidence
✔ Nervous system adaptation and recovery

Because recovery is rarely just about “doing more” or “doing less”.

It’s about doing the right things at the right stage for the individual dog.

And that’s why guided rehabilitation can play such an important role in long-term outcomes.

Save this if you’re navigating IVDD recovery, or share it with someone who may need this reminder.

12/05/2026

One of the most overwhelming parts of IVDD for many owners is trying to understand the treatment options.

And understandably so, because there often isn’t one single pathway.

Depending on the individual dog, treatment may involve:
• Conservative management with rest and medication
• Surgery
• Rehabilitation and physiotherapy
• Emerging therapies that are currently being researched

The right approach depends on many factors, including:
Neurological changes
Pain levels
Imaging findings
Overall function
Veterinary assessment
And the individual circumstances of the owner and dog

This is why personalised veterinary guidance is so important.

Posts like this aren’t about telling owners what they should choose.

They’re about helping people understand the landscape a little more clearly—so decisions feel less overwhelming.

Because informed owners are empowered owners.

Save this for future reference, and share it with someone navigating IVDD right now.

08/05/2026

IVDD can feel incredibly overwhelming when you’re in the middle of it.

Not just because of the condition itself, but because suddenly you’re trying to navigate:
Conflicting advice
Big emotions
And decisions you never expected to have to make.

And one of the biggest things I want owners to understand is this:

You do not need to know everything all at once.

You just need clear, appropriate guidance for the stage your dog is currently at.

Because IVDD isn’t always straightforward.

It doesn’t always start dramatically.
Recovery isn’t always linear.
And every dog’s journey can look a little different.

That’s exactly why I wanted to create this series:
To simplify complex topics, reduce overwhelm, and help owners feel more informed and supported.

If you’re navigating IVDD with your dog right now, you are not alone.

Save this if you needed that reminder today.

07/05/2026

Some dogs are more genetically predisposed to IVDD than others.

We commonly see higher rates in breeds such as:

* Dachshunds
* French Bulldogs
* Spaniels
* Beagles
* And increasingly, some crossbreeds too

But predisposition does not mean inevitability.

Many dogs who are genetically predisposed will never experience a significant disc episode.

And equally, IVDD can occur in dogs outside of these breeds too.

Posts like this aren’t about creating fear.

They’re about awareness.

Because understanding risk factors can help owners:
✔ Recognise changes earlier
✔ Make informed lifestyle choices
✔ Support long-term spinal health more proactively

Knowledge isn’t about worrying more.
It’s about feeling more confident in how you support your dog.

Save this for future reference, and share it with someone who has a higher-risk breed.

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