How Body Conditioning Changed Cooper’s Life with Hip Dysplasia

When my Belgian Malinois, Cooper, was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at just 1.5 years old, our world shifted. He was grumpy, growly, and didn’t like anyone touching his hindquarters. At such a young age, it was heartbreaking to see him uncomfortable every single day.

Like many owners, our first step was medication. Pain meds helped in the short term, but I knew they were hard on his organs. We tried CBD, which gave some relief, but it wasn’t enough. I didn’t want Cooper to just “get by” on pain management. I wanted him to truly enjoy his life again.

That’s when I discovered body conditioning and it has been a complete game-changer.

Life Before Conditioning

Before we started, Cooper’s diagnosis affected every part of his life. He was in pain daily and didn’t want to be touched. Physio wasn’t a good option because of his temperament, so I needed another way to help him.

The turning point came when I saw a webinar about increasing your dog’s endurance. It opened the door to something I hadn’t fully considered: structured conditioning that could target the muscles supporting his hips and relieve the strain. With our vet’s guidance, I built a conditioning protocol tailored to Cooper’s needs.

Our Conditioning Journey

My main goal was simple: to make Cooper’s everyday life pain-free.

We started small and consistent: 5-minute sessions, two to three times per day. These mini workouts were designed to build balance, flexibility, stamina, coordination, and strength without overwhelming his body.

Some of the exercises and tools we use:

• Balance discs and wobble boards

• Cavaletti poles for controlled movement

• KLIMB platforms (pricey but worth it — so versatile)

• Posture correctors and planks

We quickly discovered that his iliopsoas (a deep muscle near the hip) was causing him even more discomfort than the dysplasia itself. By targeting that area with specific exercises, his pain levels dropped even more.

And rest days? Just as important as the work itself.

The Results

The transformation has been incredible. Cooper went from being in pain every day to rediscovering his puppy youthfulness.

• He now rarely needs pain meds, less than once every few months.

• His range of motion has dramatically improved.

• He actually looks forward to doing his stretches.

• On sore days, instead of hiding, he comes over asking for a rub down.

Of course, we’ve had setbacks. Ice in the winter is still his biggest challenge, catching him off guard. But overall, his quality of life is night and day compared to where we started.

Lessons Learned

As a canine conditioning coach, this experience with Cooper reinforced what I teach others: conditioning is vital.

• Many people assume their dogs don’t need it because they look “fit.” But even Olympians condition daily.

• Others accept pain as normal and rely only on meds. But building muscle can shift the load away from weak joints and reduce the need for pharmaceuticals.

• In the long run, conditioning prevents injuries, lowers vet bills, and can even delay the need for surgery.

For some dogs, it’s a complement to medical management. For others, like Cooper, it can be a substitute.

Why I Became a Canine Conditioning Coach

Cooper’s journey with hip dysplasia is the reason I decided to take my education further. In January 2023, I completed the Mission Ready K9 Program with Northeast K9 Conditioning, a course designed for police, military, and SAR handlers but incredibly valuable for all working and performance dogs. This training taught me how to conduct a Mission Ready Risk Assessment — evaluating posture, gait, muscle tone, and body condition — to identify weaknesses and reduce injury risk. 

Alongside assessments, I learned to create structured “Week-at-a-Glance” fitness plans, much like professional athletes use. Every week, I map out Cooper’s conditioning schedule to balance cardio, strength, flexibility, body awareness, and recovery. This ensures that his program builds him up without overloading him, while also leaving space for rest and recovery days.

Another key part of this process is note-taking. If I notice something small for example, Cooper doesn’t seem to hold his balance as well as usual I jot it down. If the issue continues, I can look back and know when the change started. Taking notes is just as important as planning because it gives you a clearer picture of your dog’s progress and any patterns that may signal discomfort or injury risk.

This program gave me the tools to:

• Conduct risk assessments to determine a dog’s readiness for work

• Design and implement fitness programs that enhance performance while reducing injury risk

• Maintain canine fitness and readiness before, during, and after deployment

• Support both the physical and emotional needs of working dogs

From there, I continued building on that foundation. In April 2023, I became a Certified Canine Conditioning Fitness Coach, deepening my knowledge of canine anatomy, physiology, and structured fitness techniques.

But I didn’t stop there. I continued my education with the Webinar: Intro to Assessing Canine Posture & Movement through Sit Stay Squat. These programs gave me the tools to better understand how posture, movement, and muscle balance directly impact a dog’s comfort and long-term performance.

Most importantly, this knowledge has allowed me to help not only Cooper but also our younger Malinois, Karma, stay fit, healthy, and injury free. Conditioning has become part of their everyday life, and it’s something I’m passionate about sharing with other dog owners. Over time, these practices don’t just improve quality of life, they also help prevent expensive vet visits for injuries that are easily avoidable.

Practical Tips for Dog Owners

If you’re considering conditioning for your dog, here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:

• Start simple. A balance disc or KLIMB platform is an investment, but both can be used in countless ways.

• Keep sessions short and consistent. Five minutes, two or three times a day, is better than one long session.

• Watch body language. Learn what pain looks like for your dog. Adjust if needed.

• Don’t overdo it. Balance your plan across all five quadrants: flexibility, stamina, balance, coordination, and strength.

• Always consult your vet. Especially before starting new exercises.

A Bigger Picture

Cooper’s journey has shown me just how powerful body conditioning can be. His story may be unique, but I know from conversations with my coach and others in the field that his results aren’t rare.

For dogs with hip dysplasia, and for any dog facing physical challenges conditioning isn’t just “extra training.” It’s physical and psychological rehabilitation, grounded in science, and it can give them their life back.

Our long-term goal is simple: maintain his comfort, prevent injuries, and delay surgery for as long as possible.

Final Thoughts

Seeing Cooper bounce around with his youthful energy, pain-free and happy, is all the proof I need that conditioning works. If you’re on the fence, my advice is simple: do it.

It’s one of the best gifts you can give your dog.