1Raising a Dog Through Life StagesPuppy → Senior → Geriatric

A. Puppyhood (0–12 mo)

• Safe growth & joint protection
• Play vs. overexertion
• Socialization basics
• Puppy-proofing the home

B. Adolescence (1–3 yr)

• Conditioning for energy
• Injury prevention in play/sport
• Structured exercise readiness
• Balanced nutrition

C. Mature Adult (4–7 yr)

• Maintaining strength & endurance
• Spotting early mobility changes
• Weight management
• Lifestyle adaptation

D. Senior (8+ yr)

• Mobility aids & home adjustments
• Gentle daily exercise
• Cognitive enrichment activities
• Senior diet considerations

E. Geriatric & End-of-Life

• Comfort-first routines
• Handling frailty
• Bonding during late life
• Vet-guided quality-of-life talks

2At-Home Care GuidesHandling • Hygiene • Home Setup

A. Handling & Hygiene

• Safe lifting & handling
• Managing urine scald
• Bathing mobility-challenged dogs
• Paw & nail care

B. Preventing Complications

• Bedsores & pressure sores
• Slips & falls prevention
• Car rides with mobility dogs

C. Home Setup

• DIY ramps & stairs
• Flooring & rugs
• Furniture & lighting adjustments

3Mobility & Assistive DevicesHarnesses • Slings • Carts • Braces

A. Core Devices

• Harnesses vs. collars
• Slings & hobble devices

B. Mobility Aids

• Carts & wheelchairs
• Orthotics & braces (vet-prescribed)

C. Protection & Modifications

• Boots, socks, paw protection
• DIY home modifications

4Comfort & Daily LivingPhysical • Environmental • Emotional

A. Physical Comfort

• Bedding & pressure relief
• Temperature control for seniors

B. Environmental Comfort

• Lighting & visibility
• Safe resting zones

C. Emotional Comfort

• Routine as security
• Emotional support strategies

5Enrichment & BondingMind • Play • Routine

A. Mental Stimulation

• Enrichment for restricted activity
• Puzzle feeders & scent games

B. Gentle Interaction

• Games for limited mobility
• Music & calming aids

C. Human–Dog Bond

• Role of routine in healing
• Building trust in recovery

6Owner Wellness & SupportSelf‑care • Family • Tools

A. Stress & Self‑Care

• Managing caregiver stress
• Recognizing burnout

B. Family Involvement

• Sharing daily tasks
• Teaching kids safe handling

C. Tools for Owners

• Journaling progress
• Building your care team

7Condition‑Specific Owner Packs (Downloadables)Guides • Handouts • Trackers

A. Mobility Guides

• Senior dog mobility guide
• End‑of‑life mobility support

B. Recovery Handouts

• First weeks in rehab handout
• Post‑surgery recovery checklist

C. Tracking Tools

• Daily progress tracker
• Exercise chart templates

8Culture, History & InspirationTimeline • Stories • Quotes

A. History & Timeline

• Dogs through time
• Cultural role of dogs

B. Stories & Case Studies

• Famous rehab/resilient dogs
• Case study of the week

C. Inspiration

• Quotes about dogs
• Human–dog bond stories

9Professional & Reference Resources (Owner‑Safe)Vets • Standards • Genetics

A. Veterinary Partnership

• Why vets refer to rehab
• Working with specialists

B. Professional Standards

• CCRP code of conduct (plain‑language)
• Rehab ethics & boundaries

C. Genetics & Foundations

• OFA explained
• UC Davis VGL (education link)
• Breed club databases

10Behavioral Training & Recovery SupportCalm • Skills • Motivation

A. Foundations of Behavior in Rehab

• Why calm, predictable routines matter
• Building trust through handling and touch

B. Reducing Stress & Anxiety

• Crate rest without frustration
• Managing barking, whining, or agitation

C. Leash Manners for Rehab Dogs

• Why harnesses over collars
• Controlled walking for safety and consistency

D. Cooperative Care Skills

• Accepting nail trims, harnesses, slings, and carts
• Consent‑based handling

E. Behavioral Challenges in Special Populations

• Puppies: channeling energy safely
• Seniors: cognitive decline & behavior changes
• Post‑injury dogs: fear or avoidance

F. Bond Building Through Training

• Training as enrichment
• Positive reinforcement & motivation

11Canine Breeds & GeneticsOrigins • Predispositions • Rehab

A. Genetic History of Dogs

• Domestication origins
  • Wolves & early human partnerships
  • Archaeological evidence (burials, art, ritual)
• Selective breeding through time
  • Ancient roles: guarding, herding, hunting, companionship
  • Middle Ages → modern breed standards
• Genetic diversity & bottlenecks
  • Closed stud books & narrowed gene pools
  • Why inherited conditions cluster
• Modern genomic insights
  • DNA studies on breed relationships & traits
  • Universities & breed clubs mapping genomes

B. Breed Predispositions & Mobility

• Large breeds → hip/elbow dysplasia, arthritis
• Small/long‑backed breeds → luxating patella, IVDD
• Working/sporting breeds → muscle/tendon injuries
• Toy & miniature breeds → fragile bones, collar risks

C. Genetics & Rehabilitation

• Why understanding breed predispositions helps owners prepare
• How responsible breeding supports joint & neuro health
• Owner education links: OFA • UC Davis VGL • Breed club databases

D. Breed‑Specific Rehab Considerations

• Brachycephalic breeds (exercise tolerance & comfort)
• Herding breeds (noted neurologic tendencies)
• Giant breeds (lifespan mobility & weight‑bearing support)

Owner‑education only. Dynamic Pets provides at‑home canine rehabilitation education and services in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Naples, FL. Always consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.