The Art of Canine Physio: Exercise & Fitness Foundations for Every Dog

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Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too!

Better performance and fewer injuries don’t start with fancy equipment. They start with the basics: a balanced stand, a square sit, and the patience to slow down.

In this episode, Lauren sits down with canine physiotherapist and hydrotherapist Mel to talk about what really builds strong, capable dogs. They chat about why stillness is so important, how a steady stand builds strength, body awareness, and focus, and why those skills carry over to everything from agility to everyday handling.

Mel explains the kinds of exercises she would typically start with in a physio setting and how those same foundations can be thoughtfully built into the fitness work you do at home. You'll hear how she uses forward focus to reduce fidgeting, how she builds a true square sit, the value of small upward reaches to wake up the core, and the importance of coaching clean sit-to-stand transitions without shuffling feet or dipping spines. Mel also explains how she picks the right starting point for the dog in front of her - often core control before paw perfection - and why it’s so important to set both dog and owner up for success. 

Lauren admits she was surprised to learn how long muscle really takes to build (typically six weeks before you see proper, measurable development) and Mel highlights the other key piece of the puzzle: fuel. If you’re asking your dog to grow muscle while keeping calories the same, it simply won’t happen. Strength takes time, consistency, and enough nutrition to support the work. 

If you’re fascinated about canine physiotherapy or curious about safe, simple foundation exercises you can build into your dog’s routine, this episode is a must listen.

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