Canine Conditioning in Plymouth

Personalised dog fitness and conditioning plans to improve strength, flexibility, and wellbeing

Helping Your Dog Stay Strong, Mobile, and Happy

Structured conditioning to build muscle strength, resilience and behavioural balance, before problems arise.

My proactive conditioning service is designed for owners who want to support their dog’s joints, reduce risk of injury, improve movement quality and emotional wellbeing through thoughtful, progressive exercise.

If your dog has been diagnosed with a medical condition or is under veterinary care, we will work only after receiving veterinary confirmation that structured conditioning within current activity guidelines is appropriate.

Contact me to book

Who is this for?

Fitness and conditioning coaching is ideal for:

Dogs entering adolescence or adulthood
Large breeds or joint-sensitive breeds
Active or working dogs
Owners who’ve previously had dogs with joint disease
Dogs in early ageing stages whose owners want to proactively support joint health and resilience
Dogs who appear slightly stiff or less fluid in their movement, and whose owners would like proactive support to build strength and resilience
- If stiffness is persistent, worsening, or accompanied by lameness, veterinary assessment is recommended before conditioning begins.
Behaviour cases where structured physical engagement may help regulation

From young dogs learning healthy movement habits to seniors staying active, every plan is designed to be safe, gradual, and enjoyable.

Starter Pathway

3 sessions – £180

Perfect if you’re just getting started or want to build confidence with exercises at home.

Great for dogs who:
✔ Need a gentle introduction to strengthening work
✔ Are returning to exercise after a quieter period
✔ Would benefit from early support before small issues become bigger ones

Includes:

Initial assessment & personalised exercise plan
A front foot target to support controlled strengthening
A guidance pack explaining exercise purpose and progression
A personalised online folder containing assessment videos and progress tracking, which can be shared with your vet if appropriate
Two follow-up sessions to review progress and build safely
Exercise videos and written guidance
Email support between sessions

What conditioning focuses on?

Sessions focus on safe, structured strengthening and movement quality, including:

Controlled muscle strengthening
Symmetry and weight distribution
Core stability and pelvic control
Fatigue awareness
Surface and environment considerations
Behaviour-aware exercise design

I offer three different pathways to suit the needs of you and your dog

Progress Pathway

5 sessions – £290

Ideal for dogs who need more structured support to build strength, balance and mobility over time.

Great for dogs who:
✔ Have mild weakness, stiffness or imbalance
✔ Are older and need help maintaining muscle and movement
✔ Need gradual, guided progression to stay comfortable and active

Includes:

Initial assessment & personalised exercise plan
A front foot target to support controlled strengthening
A guidance pack explaining exercise purpose and progression
A personalised online folder containing assessment videos and progress tracking, which can be shared with your vet if appropriate
Four structured progression sessions
Exercise videos and written guidance
Email support between sessions

Enhanced Pathway

8 sessions – £440

For dogs who need longer-term conditioning or more in-depth support.

Great for dogs who:
✔ Have ongoing mobility challenges
✔ Need sustained muscle strengthening
✔ Are preparing for higher activity levels or returning from a setback

Includes:

Initial assessment & personalised exercise plan

A front foot target to support controlled strengthening
A guidance pack explaining exercise purpose and progression
A personalised online folder containing assessment videos and progress tracking, which can be shared with your vet if appropriate
Seven structured progression sessions
Exercise videos and written guidance
Email support between sessions

Contact me to book

Many musculoskeletal issues develop gradually over time. Proactive conditioning helps build strength and coordination, supports joint protection, and promotes balanced loading patterns — reducing the risk of compensatory strain as your dog ages.

And of course, movement and behaviour are closely linked. Structured conditioning can:

Improve confidence
Support emotional regulation
Provide appropriate mental engagement
Reduce frustration linked to under-stimulation
Build body awareness
Ready to build strength and resilience the right way? Please contact me at hello@shapingdogs.com or click the button to book

FAQs

If your dog has a diagnosed medical condition — including arthritis, orthopaedic changes, or previous injury — we require that the dog has been examined by a veterinary surgeon and that your vet has confirmed they are happy for your dog to begin a fitness/conditioning programme. This ensures I work within your vet’s recommendations and remains collaborative with their clinical care.
My service focuses on therapeutic exercise and conditioning — personalised plans to build strength, balance, mobility and confidence safely. This isn’t clinical physiotherapy, which is usually directed by or with a vet for injury/rehab. If your dog is under veterinary care or needs physio-level intervention, I can work alongside your vet’s guidance.
Yes, but only with veterinary consent. I will ask you to confirm your vet has assessed your dog recently and is happy for you to start a fitness programme.
Each session includes a movement check, guided exercises tailored to your dog, and adjustments based on progress. We make sure exercises are introduced in a positive, comfortable way that builds confidence and consistency. You’ll also get clear take-home instructions and support between sessions.
Most sessions take place in your home or garden. If you prefer, we can arrange outdoor sessions in a suitable, quiet area.
Absolutely! Canine fitness is a great bonding experience for dog and human, so most dogs love it. Exercises are introduced gradually, always respecting your dog’s comfort and confidence.
Absolutely. All pathway packages include email support, and I’m happy to help answer questions or refine exercises in between sessions to help you and your dog feel confident about progressing.