[Bregje] Hello everyone, welcome to the Shar Pei Voice podcast!
This episode is part of the Olympic Shar Pei event, and today we have a special guest, who is an expert in a unique field.
Joining us today is Susan, an experienced canine physiotherapist.
We’ll discuss why physical therapy is so important, covering topics like injury prevention, laser therapy, aqua therapy, and proprioception training. I’d also like to share the story of my Shar Pei, Frodo, who broke his leg in an accident and how physiotherapy helped his recovery.
Welcome, Susan! It’s a pleasure to have you on the show.
[Susan] Thank you, Bregje. It’s nice to be here!
[Bregje] We all know the great benefits physiotherapy offers to people, and it’s becoming increasingly recognized for animals too. Can you explain what exactly you do?
[Susan] Yes, I see dogs of all breeds, and it’s always important for them to be in good shape, regardless of whether they are sport dogs, show dogs, or pets. We all want them to be healthy and stay with us as long as possible. In physical therapy, we use different techniques and always talk with the owner about any problems and the dog’s role to help achieve their goals.
[Bregje] That sounds like you’re dedicated to ensuring all dogs, regardless of their role, stay healthy and happy. It must be rewarding work helping them achieve their best physical shape. It’s all about ensuring their well-being and quality of life, isn’t it?
[Susan] Absolutely! A happy dog makes for happy owners too. When dogs are in bad shape, their quality of life suffers, and that’s not what any owner wants. They all want their dogs to be happy because when the dog is happy, we can be happy too! As an owner, you know your dog and can tell when something is wrong. But what we don’t see is when something is not yet wrong but could go wrong. That’s why we come in for preventive therapy.
[Bregje] That makes a lot of sense. It’s like being proactive rather than reactive when it comes to their health. Preventive therapy sounds like a great way to catch things early on and keep our dogs in good shape.
[Susan] Yes, we see dogs of all ages. Not all of them have problems. Some need rehabilitation after surgery, while others are young, and their owners want to ensure they’re capable of certain activities. We help owners understand if their dog is ready for specific tasks or if they need to hold off for a while. We tailor our approach to each dog’s and owner’s needs.
[Bregje] That sounds very familiar. Many people wonder how far they can safely walk their puppy or when their dog is old enough for more strenuous activities, like hiking or agility. It’s reassuring to know professionals provide guidance on these milestones. How do you approach the variety of situations you encounter with different dogs and owners?
[Susan] It is all custom-made! Every dog is different. We have protocols, but they are always adjusted to the dog and owner. For instance, an older person might not be able to run with their dog, so we find suitable alternatives. Sometimes owners are too enthusiastic, doing too much with their dog, so we help create a balanced plan.
When someone comes in for the first time, we evaluate the dog by observing its walk, feeling its joints, and understanding the owner’s concerns and goals. We create a comprehensive picture to address any issues and enhance the dog’s physical condition.
[Bregje] Your process sounds really comprehensive and personalized. It’s great that you take the time to listen to both the dog and the owner to get a full picture of what’s needed. It must be interesting to uncover the specific needs of each dog and create a plan that suits them best.
Do you believe that any dog, even older dogs or those with previous health issues, can still be effectively trained and perform well, especially in competitive environments like shows and sports?
[Susan] Yes, absolutely! Even older or lazy dogs, or those that don’t follow commands well, can always improve. It’s similar to humans. Many people think older dogs can’t be trained, but that’s nonsense. Training might not be as easy as with young dogs, but improvement is always possible. Show dogs, breeding dogs, and puppies—all can benefit from proper training and physical therapy to enhance their performance and recovery.
[Bregje] What kind of training methods do you use?
[Susan] We don’t use a lot of equipment. We start by understanding what the owner is already doing and provide advice on the best practices and things to avoid. For strength training, we focus on balance and coordination exercises. Simple exercises can be very effective. For example, placing a dog’s front legs on a higher surface helps shift more weight onto the hind legs, improving their strength. We often use toys or food to encourage proper balance and body awareness.
[Bregje] How do you guide owners on supporting their dogs’ training outside of your office?
[Susan] We always ask owners what they have at home and suggest exercises using available items. For example, agility equipment, horizontal poles (like cavaletti for horses), pillows, mattresses, or airbeds can all be used for training. These exercises train mobility, muscle strength, and coordination without needing special equipment.
[Bregje[ That is proprioception training, isn’t it? How do you enhance a dog’s body awareness?
[Susan] Yes, proprioception training helps dogs become more aware of their bodies. This is crucial, especially for sport dogs that might not know where their limbs are. Improved body awareness helps prevent injuries by ensuring all muscles, including those in the hind limbs, are well-trained and supportive of the joints.
[Bregje] Why is it so important for dogs to know where their limbs are? Will it prevent injuries?
[Susan] Yes, it prevents injuries. Without body awareness, dogs might not train their hind limbs as much as their front limbs, leading to imbalances. Proper training helps avoid chronic injuries and ensures muscles are strong enough to support joints. When dogs are aware of their bodies, they can perform better and prevent injuries.
[Bregje] It is really for every dog, isn’t it? It doesn’t matter if your dog is a show dog, sports dog, or just a pet living at home.
[Susan] Absolutely! I also have clients who are breeders and want their dogs in good shape, especially during and after pregnancy. Strong, healthy dogs recover faster after giving birth and can continue to participate in shows or future breeding.
[Bregje] So physiotherapy will help dogs to recover faster after giving birth?
[Susan] Yes, often owners tell me their dog seems a little clumsy after giving birth, or she is not as strong as she used to be. We can help those dogs with physiotherapy or aquatherapy. The aquatherapy, or hydrotherapy, is a very safe way to train a dog and is very effective.
[Bregje] You mentioned aquatherapy. Can you tell me more about it? I can see how valuable it would be, especially with water supporting the dog’s weight and reducing strain on the joints.
[Susan] Yes, it’s true that water supports the joints. When you train dogs in deep water, you provide maximum joint support. The dogs are still walking, not swimming, which is very important. We don’t offer swimming; instead, we use a treadmill in a tank filled with water for hydrotherapy. The dog walks on the treadmill, and you can adjust the water level as high as you want. You can also control the speed, water height, and temperature. You can support the dog when necessary. The deep water supports the dog’s weight but also makes the muscles work hard because they have to move through the water. This is major strength training. You’ll see it’s challenging for the dogs. If you try walking in water yourself, you’ll find out how hard it is. It’s a great way of training and is quite safe because you can adjust everything. You can help the dog as needed with your hands or voice, and the owner is close by, so most dogs really enjoy this and you can see their progress.
[Bregje] I’ve heard from many Shar Pei owners that their dogs have an aversion to water. When a dog dislikes water, how do you manage that situation?
[Susan] Sometimes it doesn’t work, but that’s rare. I can count those cases on one hand! We try to make it fun and not force the dog. Gradually introducing water can help them get used to it. Even dogs that don’t like water usually accept it with time.
[Bregje] So they get used to it?
[Susan] Yes.
[Bregje] How many treadmill sessions do they need on average?
[Susan] It always depends on the problem, but we usually have at least 6 to 8 sessions. For chronic problems, we may need more sessions. We always work with the owner to determine the appropriate frequency. Sometimes we see dogs every five weeks if they’re getting worse, but we also have dogs we see once every three months or once a month. Hydrotherapy typically starts with at least a weekly frequency, sometimes more, because frequent training is necessary. If you don’t train every week, you won’t see progress. We also give the owner advice on exercises they can do. If the dog or owner can’t do the exercises, we need to see them more often, but it always depends on the specific problem.
[Bregje] That makes a lot of sense. Keeping them fit and healthy without overloading their bodies is crucial. You can adjust your program as needed?
[Susan] Yes, we can adjust based on the dog’s condition. Watching their movements helps us determine when they’re tired or not focused, signaling the need for a break. It’s important to train but not overtrain.
[Bregje] Oh yes, that’s so important. Making owners aware of what to look for is valuable.
[Susan] We see them once a week or less, but owners see their dogs every day. They need to understand the signals their dogs give.
[Bregje] Absolutely, understanding our dogs’ signals is challenging but crucial. The assistance you offer is incredibly valuable. We’ve touched on several methods to support health and recovery. Can you tell us more about your high-power laser therapy and how it helps?
[Susan] We use laser therapy often for various issues, including wounds, arthritis, and inflammations. The laser’s infrared light is transformed into energy within the body, speeding up the natural healing process and improving healing quality. This therapy works well for skin inflammations, scars, and chronic conditions.
[Bregje] How long does it take to see results with laser therapy?
[Susan] For wounds, results can be very quick. For example, an owner came to me with a dog with a non-healing wound for months. We saw significant improvement within a month of starting laser therapy.
[Bregje] That sounds amazing. But laser does sound a bit scary. Does laser therapy hurt?
[Susan] No, it doesn’t hurt. We use high-power lasers, which need careful handling to avoid burns. They need to be used by professionals only. And glasses are needed to protect the eyes. The therapy feels warm and relaxing, often relieving pain immediately. Low-level lasers are also effective for shallower issues and are safer for owners to use at home.
[Bregje] Can owners purchase these lasers themselves?
[Susan] Yes, especially low-level lasers, which are great for chronic problems and preventative care. Many sport dog owners use them after training to prevent sore muscles.
[Bregje] We met some years ago when you treated my dog, Frodo. He had broken his leg, and after the initial vet care, he was still very sore.
[Susan] Yes, Frodo had inflammation and arthritis, and we needed a plan to help him recover. We used laser therapy to reduce inflammation and pain, along with exercises and aqua therapy to improve his mobility and strength. The results were immediate, and with regular treatment, he continued to improve.
We see a lot of dogs that appear depressed because they can’t do what they normally do and they are in pain. They feel something is wrong, and it’s not like it used to be. So, we want them to move better and feel better to improve their quality of life. That’s always a challenge because sometimes they can return to their previous activities, but sometimes they cannot. It’s always a struggle, and we have to work with the owner to determine what’s possible and what’s not.
Veterinarians are essential, and although we can’t do without them, our treatments differ from theirs. What they can’t do, we try to do. If we can’t help because the treatment isn’t working as expected, we always consult with the owner to explore other possibilities. Is there another treatment or specialist needed, such as a chiropractor, osteopath, or acupuncturist? What can help this dog?
Initially, Frodo got better, and we could train a little more with him. He could run, and he was very happy, but then he relapsed. We investigated why he was regressing and what we could do. Is the current approach sufficient, or do we need to do more? We always explore with the owner what the options are. Can you try this or that? Additionally, we often give advice about supplements, especially for joint and nerve problems. We suggest what might help based on our experience with what works and what doesn’t. This can help support the dog’s recovery.
[Bregje] Yes, that’s great because there are so many things available, and sometimes it’s really hard to know what to choose when searching the Internet.
[Susan] Yes, it’s really difficult. This is true for humans as well; what helps one individual may not help another. You have to try different things, and if one doesn’t work, reassess and try something else. That’s what we do: we constantly seek ways to improve the dog’s health and mobility. The dog’s quality of life is the most important.
[Bregje] Yes, definitely, that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?
[Susan] Yes, absolutely. We see a lot of chronic problems, but the owners are so happy when we can improve their dog’s quality of life, even just a little. They’re thrilled when the dog can take short walks again. That’s the most rewarding part of my work.
[Bregje] For sure, happy dog, happy owner! Susan, thank you so much! It’s wonderful to learn all of this, and I hope more people realize these things are possible.
[Susan] Yes, we can do a lot. If the vet doesn’t have any options, they should definitely ask if a physical therapist might have some.
[Bregje] Yes, definitely. Thank you so much!
[Susan] You’re welcome!
