top of page
Writer's pictureJulia Robertson

An insight into the book 'How to Build A Puppy... Into A Healthy Adult Dog'

‘Building our puppy’s bodies correctly is vital for their health, it is just as important as developing their social skills and emotional cognition. And like puppy socialisation, building a puppy’s body correctly, has a limited window of opportunity’. Is one of the key messages from the new puppy exercise book by Julia Robertson.

This book emphasises the importance of properly developing a puppy's body alongside their social skills and emotional cognition. It addresses common concerns about puppy exercise needs and provides a clear plan for their physical development. Additionally, it highlights how our modern environment can be challenging for puppies and offers practical solutions to support their muscular health. By understanding the specific needs of a growing puppy's body, owners can make informed decisions to promote their overall well-being.



Dog’s anatomy has hardly changed, above a 18,000 year old Russian puppy, named ‘Dogor’ found preserved in a layer of permafrost in Siberia. Found by Russian scientists in 2019. Copyright Dr Sergey Feborov, North-Easter Federal University.


The book draws on the evolution of human-canine cohabitation over the past 50 years, highlighting how changes in our living environments and lifestyles may negatively impact puppies' development. It raises questions about the potential effects of modern practices on puppies' health. Julia Robertson's inspiration to write the book stemmed from her 20 years+ of experience as a therapist treating dogs, particularly focusing on chronic muscular issues using clinical massage techniques.


Galen Myotherapy, which specialises in treating dogs and emphasises prevention, plays a significant role in the book by addressing common problems like muscle imbalance and advocating for proactive measures to promote muscle stability and proper development in puppies. The book delves into specific exercises and techniques to encourage optimal muscle activation and patterning during the formative stages of a puppy's life.

Galen Myotherapy has been built from sound scientific knowledge, and ongoing observations of thousands of dogs; I am a practical person, and need practical, natural and dog-choice derived solutions that are easy to implement in my busy life. I felt that from my experience, if we could improve and change the culture of how we develop our puppies, it would have a hugely positive impact on dogs now and in the future. These are the foundations and rationale behind the How to Build your Puppy book’. Julia Robertson

What others have said about 'How To Build A Puppy ……..Into A Healthy Adult Dog'.


"Dog behaviour consultants, instructors and dog owners are crying out for this information. For instance, people frequently ask 'how much exercise should I give my puppy?' and this book not only answers that but shows that there are other better ways to exercise a dog than walking in a straight line". Foyles synopsis and review
"Using her world-renowned Galen Myotherapy knowledge and approach, Robertson suggests and explains in detail how small, profoundly important but easy to implement changes can improve the way we not only look after and develop our puppies but also how maintenance of this easy programme continues your puppy’s journey through into healthy adolescence and maturity". Amazon book review
"Should be standard reading for all dog owners, dog instructors, dog behaviour consultants, dog shelters, veterinarians students, veterinarians, and all other education's and organisations that have to do with dogs in our society". Abstract from the Foyles synopsis
Practical and well explained, Julia’s love for dogs shines through every page. I believe it will have a huge impact on our work with dogs in the future. Turid Rugaas - International dog trainer and author of On Talking Terms with dogs: Calming Signals


FOYLES FULL REVIEW:


Fills a gap in the market for a book that advises on the physical side of developing and maintaining a healthy puppy, as well as a rehomed older dog. There's lots on behavioural training, but nothing on this essential element. Dog behaviour consultants, instructors and dog owners are crying out for this information. For instance, people frequently ask 'how much exercise should I give my puppy?' and this book not only answers that but shows that there are other better ways to exercise a dog than walking in a straight line.

Without knowledge of dog anatomy and physiology, people can exercise their dogs in ways

that (and create environments that) have negative and long-lasting impacts on

canine health.

Useful and applicable for professionals and owners no matter what behavioural training

technique they use.

Useful for veterinarians and other people working in healthcare with dogs because it gives

in-depth description of functional anatomy and the overall musculoskeletal

system, as well as practical information and illustrations that can be

recommended to their clients, making that part of their job easier.

Internationally applicable.

In most books, the point of focus is the human, but the focal point of this book is the

puppy. What does living with humans mean to him? This is refreshing and needed.

Julia's accessible, light-hearted writing style makes the more challenging technical

aspects easy to comprehend. The many colour illustrations are a great help in

understanding the text and link explicitly to everyday experience.

Julia Robertson is the expert in this field: her book is based on novel theory and

many years of experience.

Should be standard reading for all dog owners, dog instructors, dog behaviour

consultants, dog shelters, veterinarians students, veterinarians, and all other

education's and organisations that have to do with dogs in our society.


0 comments

Comments


bottom of page