Most people think about puppy training in terms of sit, stay, and recall.

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But there is another layer that often gets missed — and it can shape how your dog moves, feels, and behaves for the rest of their life.

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How a puppy moves in their first months matters enormously. Their bones, joints, and muscles are still developing.

 

The habits they build now

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• how they sit

• how they climb stairs

• how they play

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ALL influence the body they grow into.

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This is what Puppy Foundations is about.

What is Puppy Foundations?

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Puppy Foundations is a physiotherapy-led approach to early life movement and body awareness.

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It is not about tricks or obedience. It is about helping your puppy develop:

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• Good posture and body awareness — so they move comfortably and confidently

• Balanced muscle development — reducing strain on growing joints

• Healthy movement patterns — that last into adulthood

• Body confidence — which can reduce anxiety and reactivity later in life

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As a veterinary physiotherapist, I see adult dogs every week whose problems began long before they showed signs of pain. Puppies who were over-exercised, puppies whose joints were repeatedly stressed during a critical growth window, puppies who simply never learned to use their body well.

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Many of those problems are preventable.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

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Why does early movement matter so much?

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A puppy's growth plates — the soft areas of developing cartilage at the ends of their bones — do not fully close until between 12 and 18 months, depending on breed.

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During this window, repetitive impact, certain types of exercise, and poor movement habits can cause lasting damage.

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Common things that can affect developing puppies include:

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• Too much high-impact exercise too soon

• Repetitive stair climbing before muscles are strong enough

• Slippery floors that cause abnormal posture and joint loading

• Sitting positions that place strain on the hips

• Jumping on and off furniture before their joints are ready

 

None of these are your fault — most owners simply are not told about them.

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That is exactly why I created Puppy Foundations.

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