Slatmills are self-propelled treadmills originally popularized in the U.S.A—are now showing up across the UK. Marketed as a great way to “burn energy,” they’re often found in vans, car parks, and even daycare centres. While they may seem like a convenient fitness solution for high-drive or reactive dogs, the real cost of slatmills could be your dog’s long-term health. Amanda is a qualified Galen Myotherapist, running her own business Canine Massage Therapy Essex . As professionals working in canine rehabilitation and functional movement, we see the fallout from these trends in canine exercise. Dogs arrive with chronic strain, movement dysfunction, and even injuries that develop silently over time. Misaligned Equipment, Misguided Intention Let’s start with the equipment itself. Many slatmills use a spring and harness system designed to increase resistance. These springs often sit right in the middle of the dog’s back, applying force through a vulnerable area—where the thoracic spine meets the lumbar. This zone isn’t built for pulling; it's built for flexibility. What About Regulation, Insurance, Oversight? One major concern is the lack of regulation. Who’s supervising these sessions? Do the operators have canine first aid training? Are they insured? Imagine putting a brachycephalic breed—like a Frenchie or a Bulldog—on a slatmill. These breeds are already prone to heat distress, which doesn’t always show up immediately. A dog might collapse hours later with delayed-onset heat injury. If the operator isn’t trained to spot early signs, who bears the responsibility? It’s Not Just About Fitness—It’s About Ethics Let’s be honest: slatmills look appealing. If you’re a pet parent with a reactive dog who struggles off-lead, it can seem like a dream solution. Someone shows up at your house and lets your dog "exercise" in your driveway. But ask yourself: is this truly benefiting your dog, or is it a well-marketed shortcut? This isn’t about judgment. It’s about informed choice. We would never tell someone what to do with their dog—but we will always explain the risks. In the case of slatmills, the risks far outweigh the benefits. Not one qualified physio or vet we’ve spoken to has recommended them. Unlike purpose-built canine treadmills or underwater therapy units—designed and overseen by professionals—slatmills lack safety protocols, movement analysis, and custom programming. Check out the full conversation with Amanda Daniels of Canine Massage Therapy Essex

What began as a pharmaceutical research project aimed at developing a natural anti-obesity treatment soon evolved into one of the UK’s most innovative ventures in canine microbiome health. The team had been exploring compounds in wild spinach and quinoa—but when the next trial phase required testing on caged beagles, they drew a firm ethical line. A chance encounter with Professor Jamie Newbold, a leading expert in ruminant microbiomes, proved pivotal. Why try to force compounds through the gut wall, he asked, when you could explore their effects within the microbiome itself? That question reframed everything—shifting the focus from drug development to gut ecology and the broader ecosystem within each dog, Biome4Pets began! What followed was a leap forward in microbiome testing, driven by technological innovation and real-world curiosity. A once-impractical method of collecting and freezing stool samples at -80°C gave way to biosensor-based kits developed with Professor Chris Gwennon. This made home testing commercially viable and led to the creation of a growing database at Biome4Pets Early findings revealed striking differences across regions. Dogs in Australia, despite strict biosecurity, harboured high pathogen loads—likely due to contact with wild environments. UK dogs, in contrast, showed reduced microbial diversity from over-sanitised living conditions. These insights revealed a core truth: the gut is not just an organ—it’s an ecosystem, constantly shaped by diet, water, medication, and the environment. Take Yorkshire Pooches Peggy, a Romanian street dog who survived in a kill shelter before coming to the UK. Despite no further vaccines after arrival, she remains immune to multiple diseases—thanks to early, diverse microbial exposure. Two fully vaccinated British dogs, by comparison, showed immunity to just one disease. More recently, a growing concern is the rise of cyanobacteria in UK water systems. Changes in filtration—such as the use of certain metals like brass—may be allowing this toxic bacteria to escape treatment. Dogs exposed through drinking water have shown microbiomes overwhelmed by cyanobacteria, leading to malnutrition, acid reflux, and immune dysfunction. It doesn’t stop at physical health. The gut-brain connection in dogs is becoming clearer. Bacteria like Satella—once rare—are now appearing in up to 15% of dogs tested, particularly those on raw diets. These bacteria form biofilm "friendships" with others, strengthening their resilience and possibly contributing to ADHD-like behaviors. Dogs with hypermobility often show gut issues, over-arousal, and obsessive behaviors, pointing to a deeper link between neurodivergence and the microbiome. So, what can pet parents do? One powerful step is to add rosemary to their dog’s diet (unless seizure-prone). This natural herb helps break down biofilms and supports microbial balance. Clean, filtered water is also essential—dogs can detect chemical residues we may not even notice. Ultimately, this journey from drug discovery to microbiome exploration has uncovered one core truth: when it comes to canine health, the gut holds far more answers than we ever imagined. And by understanding this ecosystem within, we’re better equipped to protect the dogs we love. Check out the full conversation with Dr Carol Hughes below. If you want to learn more about how the Microbiome and Pain interlink, be sure to check out Dr Carol's Lecture through YPT Online Training.

This episode of Hop, Skip and a Jump I had the absolute pleasure of catching up with Helen from Roots to Rehab. I first met Helen about a year ago at my seminar, You Can’t Train Away Pain, and right away I knew she was someone who “gets it” – the kind of therapist who puts an animal’s needs first, every single time. Helen runs a mobile underwater treadmill business. Yes, you read that right — a fully kitted-out van with a German-imported treadmill, filters, UV sterilisation, and a whole lot of heart. What struck me most about Helen’s work is her flexibility. If a dog is nervous, she doesn’t force the “rulebook” approach. Measurements can wait; muzzles aren’t used unless absolutely necessary, and if a harness causes discomfort, she’ll adapt. For Helen, each session belongs to the dog — not her, not the pet parent — and she works at their pace. We swapped stories about our favourite kinds of cases. For Helen, it’s the “tough nuts” — the dogs who arrive anxious, defensive, or flat-out refusing to participate. Slowly, through trust and patience, she wins them over. I completely relate. In pain management, a huge part of the job is listening to what the animal is telling you — not just through behaviour, but through tiny changes in posture, gait, and body language. We also talked about one of my favourite geeky topics: why water temperature matters. Cold water tightens muscles and can increase discomfort, whereas warm water relaxes, improves circulation, and sets the body up for healing. We both see too many people promoting cold-water swims for dogs without mentioning the risks — from “swimmer’s tail” to flare-ups in canine arthritis. One of Helen’s most inspiring stories was about “Dotty”, a Dachshund with grade-five IVDD who started completely paralysed in her hind limbs. Through months of tailored hydro sessions — starting with an isolation plate to work just the back legs — Dotty is now walking again in the treadmill, albeit with a slightly wobbly “drunk gait”. That resilience is why I love working with animals; they don’t dwell on what’s been lost, they focus on what’s possible. Consistency was another theme. Whether it’s weekly sessions for spinal cases or gradually moving to maintenance visits every 6–8 weeks, regularity makes all the difference. Sporadic therapy rarely produces lasting change — but when owners commit, the results can be life-changing. The conversation reminded me why I love doing what I do. It’s not just about the hands-on work — it’s about adapting, problem-solving, and giving each dog the dignity of choice in their care. Helen’s van might be mobile, but her ethos is rock-solid: meet the dog where they’re at, and build from there. Catch the full podcast episode below,

In this episode of Hop, Skip, and a Jump, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with the incredible Rachel Bean — a registered veterinary nurse, canine first aid educator, and someone who’s shaping standards in the pet care industry. I’ve known of Rachel’s work for a long time, but hearing her story firsthand was inspiring. She started out back in 1994 as a Dogs Trust kennel manager, later training as a veterinary nurse and qualifying in 2001. Even now, she still works in practice, balancing her clinical days with her passion for teaching canine first aid. What began as a few voluntary sessions for RSPCA staff has grown into an Ofqual-recognised qualification — a huge achievement in an industry that, let’s be honest, is largely unregulated. Anyone can call themselves a first aid instructor, but without real knowledge and hands-on experience, the wrong information can be dangerous. Rachel is determined to change that by ensuring the training is accurate and evidence-based, especially for pet professionals like groomers, trainers, and behaviourists. Her work doesn’t stop at the UK border. She’s travelled to Thailand to work with street dogs, to India and Cyprus to support shelters, to Beijing to train local dog trainers, and to Kenya where she worked with Action for Cheetahs. In Kenya, she helped handlers look after detection dogs trained to track cheetah scat for conservation research — a fascinating project that shows just how far her skills can go. One of the most valuable parts of our conversation was Rachel’s update on current heat stroke guidelines. Too often, I still see outdated advice being shared online. Heat stroke is life-threatening, but it’s usually preceded by heat stress — and that’s when we have the best chance to act. CURRENT HEAT STROKE ADVICE WET THEN VET – If you’re near a vet, start cooling the dog immediately, then get there with air conditioning blasting. RAPID COOLING SAVES LIVES – If you’re further away, immerse (not submerge) the dog in the coldest water you have, then transport. Tepid water is not effective enough. For elderly dogs, puppies, or those with serious health conditions, avoid full immersion — wet them thoroughly and use fans or AC instead. Rachel also spoke about cooling coats. They can be brilliant in the right situation, but shouldn’t be used as a free pass to exercise dogs in dangerous temperatures. As someone who works with dogs every day, I know just how differently each one handles heat. Some, like brachycephalic breeds, are more vulnerable, but even the healthiest dog can make poor decisions — like lying in full sun for hours. This chat with Rachel reminded me why I’m so passionate about sharing good, practical information. When accurate knowledge gets out there, it saves lives — not just here in the UK, but all over the world. Check out the full episode below and Rachel Bean RVN's socials FB- https://www.facebook.com/RachelBeanVetNurse/?locale=en_GB Insta- https://www.instagram.com/rachelbeanrvn/?hl=en Website- https://www.vet-on-set.co.uk/

To cut a long story short, YES people will listen. The picture above was my first cohort of CANINE PAIN WARRIORS! You Can't Train Away Pain, is my exclusive in-person full-day seminar, and we dive into some pretty heavy topics. 🐩 Canine Anatomy, looking at whole body systems and how they can influence the pain experience. 🐾 Common MSK conditions, understanding these pathologies through X-ray images and more. 🐕 Identifying gait abnormalities, getting to grips with the biomechanics of the canine. ⚡ Mechanics of pain, from sensory input to processing in the CNS, how a pain experience occurs. 🐕‍🦺 Behaviour & Pain, an in-depth look at the biopsychosocial model and how we can apply this to dogs. 📚 Case studies, group work to cement the day's learning. This course lasts 5 hours and builds attendees from the ground up to understand the complex tapestry of the canine pain experience. To get through this day and present sound case studies at the end had me dubbing attendees as WARRIORS. I hope to inspire passion and curiosity, because our dog's and the ones we work with deserve the best. Here is a list of Canine businesses that are YPT Certified Canine Pain Warriors Confident Canine Coaching Academy Hurley's Grooming Salon and Training Academy Focus Dog Training The Bearded Pooch Roots to Rehab Wild Paw Dog Training Holistic Hounds and Other Animals Lead The Way Wirral The Underdogs Training Dames and Dukes Dog Grooming S erenity Canine Therapies Big Paws Little Paws Grooming Salon Rebecca The Dog Trainer Nourish & Nosh Holistic Pet Shop Rudi's Canine Coaching Scentsational Dogs Deborahs Dogs The Travelling Trainer If you would like to attend this exclusive in-person seminar, keep an eye on the events page for upcoming dates.

I'm a Yorkshire lass through and through. A spade is a spade. Pain is pain. A bargain is a bargain! I'm SUPER careful about the brands that I will associate myself with, I have a responsibility to pet parents who interact with Yorkshire Pooches Therapies. I want to ensure that what you invest in is cost-effective, actually effective, and tested with my own dogs. Below are links to companies who I have discount codes for, some of these I receive kickback and others I don't. I can assure you I'm not buying my second home in Portugal, it 100% goes towards my dogs haha! Aniforte discount code - YSPOOCHES10 Aniforte has a great range of natural supplements, some of my favourites being German Moor Mud , Green-Lipped Lipped Mussel Powder and Algae Oil . Get yourself a cheeky 10% off Antinol discount code - YPT5 I can confidently say this is the best green-lipped mussel extract on the market, with clinical studies too! Treat your pooch to 5% off for a starter pack or one-off purchase. Oh so precious discount code - YP10 I am so sentimental so of course I fell in love with this range of pet keepsakes, teat yourself to 10% off. Happy shopping, Love Yaz, Lily, Rodney & Peggy xx

Charlotte is a Veterinary Physiotherapist at Raybrook Veterinary Physiotherapy specialising in canine rehabilitation with a keen interest in holistic care. Charlotte focuses on providing a consent based approach to her work, with remedial exercise programmes tailored to each individual dog. Charlotte works in partnership with Yorkshire Pooches Therapies as the resident Online Veterinary Physiotherapist to bring together a multi-modal team of canine professionals. Having experience and knowledge of orthopaedic, neurological and soft tissue cases, Charlotte has brought together her knowledge and expertise to help better musculoskeletal health and improve quality of life. Dogs of all shapes, sizes, breeds, ages, capabilities and temperaments are all welcomed with the same enthusiasm and dedication when planning individual exercise programmes. Charlotte prides herself on delivering a thorough assessment to ensure all dogs receive care specific to their needs, ensuring the best outcome for your dog. Learning is a continual and important skill as a Veterinary Physiotherapist, alongside her postgraduate qualification in Veterinary Physiotherapy, Charlotte has continued her study of: - Joint supplements - Current and Ethical Pharmaceuticals - Kinesiology taping - Canine Behaviour - Stem Cells - Force Free training and Practices - Natural and fresh feeding - Canine Conditioning Charlotte is a member of the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists and fully insured. This ensures that services provided are of the highest standard and are in accordance with current legislation. Charlotte has a dog of her own, a rescue Samoyed named Kiba. Kiba’s own rehabilitation process fuelled her passion for physiotherapy and patient centred care. Charlotte is a strong believer in age not being a disease and has a soft spot for her golden oldies. Who is YPT Online Veterinary Physiotherapy for? Many of the pooches that attend clinic can sometimes struggle to allow new people into their trusted circle. Yaz is very honoured to be part of this circle, but alas Canine Massage is just one component of the team. Multimodal management and collaborating with other Veterinary professionals is a great way to make the most of a Pain Management plan. Charlotte, registered Veterinary Physiotherapist and joining the YPT team is a way to expand this team of professionals, without having to leave the comfort of your home! This service is exclusive to YPT in-clinic customers , Yaz and Charlotte will collaborate on individual cases combining knowledge to create a bespoke plan for your pooch. Your dog must have been seen within the last 6 months in clinic to be eligible for this service. Which service do I pick? Initial Assessment - £75 Charlotte will deep dive your dogs current Pain Management plan and identify areas of focus. Your dog’s bespoke Remedial Exercise Plan will be emailed to you with 7WD, containing specific exercises, and guidance for the next 4 weeks. Follow up Session - £55 Charlotte will review how you have progressed through your 4 Remedial Exercise Plan. You will then receive an updated Remedial Exercise Plan for your next 6 weeks. What to expect from your YPT Online Veterinary Physiotherapy session Appointments are held over Google Meet video call, you will receive a link for this 1WD prior to you scheduled appointment. YPT Online Veterinary Physiotherapy Checklist - Drop Charlotte an email at charlotte@yorkshirepooches.co.uk to arrange a suitable time and date for your session That’s it! Once we have the paperwork Yaz and Charlotte will sort the rest!

Fish is well known for its health properties, and it is full of wonderful Omega fatty acids that can support an abundance of different body systems. These Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) can be further divided into Omega-3 and Omega-6. OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS This group of PUFA are best known for their role in reducing inflammation from chronic diseases such as arthritis. Other benefits range from heart, brain and skin health. OMEGA-6 FATTY ACIDS This group of PUFA seriously get a bad rep, even though they are essential for overall health! They serve as an energy source for the body, stimulate growth and help support the immune system. However, excess consumption can lead to excess production of pro-inflammatory biochemicals. TYPE OF FISH Feeding whole fish will always be my ideal, but this sometimes isn’t achievable so tinned fish is a great option. You guessed it, I have an opinion on the type of tinned fish we can offer our dogs. We should be aiming for smaller fish, such as sardines or mackerel. The reason for this is that larger fish such as tuna and salmon have a higher rate of metal toxins. WHICH PRESERVATIVE? Preservatives are necessary for a perishable item, but which is the best health-wise? OIL Usually, the oil that is chosen is Sunflower Oil. Fat is fat soluble, meaning all the good Omega-3’s from the fish will drain into the Omega-6’s found in sunflower oil. Remember Omega-6 can lead to an increase of pro-inflammatory biochemicals, which kind of defeats the point of feeding fish for its anti-inflammatory properties. BRINE Essentially this is just salt water. Very effective at preserving and yes we need salt in our dog's diet. However, unless you are feeding an exclusively fresh food diet (such as raw) your dog will already be getting enough salt from their diet. For raw fed dogs who aren’t eating processed food (this includes treats and the odd tit bit) they can benefit from a pinch of salt, but my preference would be pink himalayan salt, not brine water. This tends to be the cheapest option so a good rinse to remove excess salt is a good shout. SPRING WATER This is exactly what it says on the tin, just water. This tends to be more expensive but we don’t have the worry of excess salt or fish sliding around in pro-inflammatory oil. For me, spring water is the WINNER! Keep it clean and simple. Adding ANY fish is better than no fish, but making these small changes in the type of tinned fish we are buying for our dogs can make a difference in the ongoing battle against management of inflammation. Want to know my thoughts on fish oil and the latest research? Check out my Online Training, To Supplement or Not To Supplement! For readers keen to GET YA NERD ON, check out this research paper. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8308533/

HAVE QUESTIONS AND CONFLICTING ANSWERS? - What is missing from our current pain management plan? - I want to add in a therapeutic modality, but I'm not sure which will work best for my dog? - What is the difference between 80.10.10 and complete? - How can I supercharge my dog's food bowl? - WHO CAN I ASK FOR HELP ASK YAZ! Yaz is a big believer in supporting pet parents, 'where they're at'. If raw feeding isn’t for you, that is fine. If acupuncture seems too much, that is fine. If you can’t stomach tripe, that is also fine! These sessions are about finding practical solutions to supporting your dog's wellness, whatever works best for you both! WHAT'S INCLUDED? - 30-minute phone call to discuss your dog's current nutrition and any required problem-solving. - Within 10 working days, a report will land in your inbox with everything we discussed and a plan of recommendations. WHAT DO CUSTOMERS HAVE TO SAY? "I had a telephone appointment with Yaz regarding my 6 month golden retriever's dietary issues. I was spending a fortune on different supplements to try and sort out his digestive issues. Yaz looked at everything I'm feeding and is now writing a diet plan for my pooch. Yaz is incredibly knowledgeable and explains things in terms that make it so easy to understand. I cannot thank Yaz enough for her time and help. She is wonderful." Nina & Gulliver WELLNESS SESSION CHECKLIST 1. Complete a New Customer Form This will give Yaz an overview of your dog and a chance to highlight what part of your dog's health you are looking to focus on. This could be pain management and nutrition combined, or one or the other. 2. Book your session Using our online booking services , pick your appointment slot and you’re good to go. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Sometimes all you need is a nudge in the right direction, that bit of confidence to take the leap. Each session is accepted on an individual basis, should your dog have pre-existing medical conditions a Wellness Session may not be the service for you. Should this be the case Yaz will email you to advise. Please note that any advice given does not constitute or replace Veterinary Advice.