Navigating Canine Arthritis:
The Course
A clear, research-based way to help you support your arthritic dog with confidence
Watching your dog slow down can be heartbreaking and confusing.
You notice small changes.
You wonder if you’re missing something.
You want to help — without guessing or causing harm.
Navigating Canine Arthritis was created to help you feel steadier, clearer, and more confident as you support your dog through arthritis.
Watching your dog struggle with arthritis is heartbreaking.
You see the changes happening.
You wonder what else you should be doing.
You want to help but you are afraid to make things worse or hurt them.
Navigating Canine Arthritis was created to empower owners.
Is this course Right For You?
The Navigating Canine Arthritis Course was created for owners dedicated to giving their dog the best quality of life possible, even with arthritis. This course is a fit for you if:
You want to make the best choices for your dog and want to avoid taking chances on what might not work
Optimizing your dog's health is important to you
You want evidence informed guidance that's been proved to work
You value working with your vet but know that there is more that you could be doing for your dog
You want your daily life back - less worry, more routine
Dogs that thrive while 'Navigating Canine Arthritis' are cared for by owners who have honoured the dog-owner bond.
What the course is
Navigating Canine Arthritis is a recorded, self-paced educational course designed for dog owners who want simple to use, quality guidance.
It helps you understand what’s happening in your dog’s body and how to respond appropriately and without panic.
This course gives you control back.
Video lessons that explain concepts clearly and practically
move through the course at your own pace
pause, rewind, and revisit lessons
return to specific modules as your dog’s needs evolve
Downloadable resource guides, to enhance learning
links to research papers
trusted organizations
product suggestions and tools
Module worksheets so you can use what you've learned on your dog
build confidence in observation and decision-making
actually change your dog's life
This course goes beyond concepts and knowledges and teaches you HOW to apply it to your own dog.
Designed for real life for real dogs.
Designed for real life.
Start with the FREE Arthritis Basics module
This introductory module explains:
What arthritis actually is
Why arthritis doesn't just affect the joint but affects the WHOLE dog
How arthritis can lead to both acute and chronic pain
How to evaluate how your dog is doing RIGHT NOW
When you understand HOW arthritis affects the WHOLE body, you can start to make better decisions for your dog's health. It's an easy way to gain clarity without committment.
You can choose the full course for a complete, connected understanding — or select individual modules based on what you and your dog need most right now.
There is no “right” order. Just the one that fits your situation.
Course Overview
The course is organized into focused modules, each addressing a specific part of living with and caring for a dog with arthritis.
Arthritis Basics (Free)
Truly understand what arthritis really is — so fear and guessing don’t guide your decisions.
Assessing Your Dog
You'll observe your dog's movements and get hands on. This is unique to this course and it will give you invaluable information about your dog's body that you could previously only get from a professional examination.
Weight Management
Is your dog at the right weight? This is the number one arthritis management strategy and you'll have clear steps for getting this right.
Joint Supplements for Osteoarthritis
An overmarketed industry. Learn what is worth an investment and what is draining your wallet.
Home & Equipment Modifications
Make everyday life easier for your dog with simple, thoughtful changes where your dog spends the most time - at home.
Other Supportive Therapies & Approaches
Explore additional ways to support comfort, mobility, and emotional well-being.
Exercise for Dogs with Arthritis
You'll learn how to tailor walks, stretching and strengthening routines to best optimize your dog's health!
Quality of Life & End-of-Life Decision Making
The decision we never want to make. We'll discuss planning in a way that reduces stress and honours your dog.
Start where you're at
Why another course on dog arthritis?
I'd do anything for my girl Maggie Mae. She was diagnosed with arthritis at age 4. Knowing what I know now after become certified in canine rehab and lots of continuing education on dog arthritis, I'm fairly confident she probably had it before the age of 2.
This course is everything I use in my day-to-day practice to care not only for my client dogs, but my own dog. If I wouldn't do something for Maggie, I wouldn't then turn around and suggest it for your dog.
I hope my devotion to my own do, helps you give the same to yours.
What Past Students Have to Say About the Course:
I’ve just completed Shauna’s Navigating Canine Arthritis course and was really impressed. Shauna presents clearly and confidently, breaking down complex information in a way that’s easy to understand, and covering the topic thoroughly from start to finish. It’s a well-structured, practical course that provides a strong foundation for understanding and managing canine arthritis. The included homework helps you apply what you learn in a meaningful, hands-on way. If you’re feeling overwhelmed caring for your arthritic dog and want to be confident you’re investing your time and resources into strategies that truly work, this course is an excellent choice for you and your beloved dog.
Navigating Canine Arthritis’ is a wealth of information presented in a way that’s easy for dog guardians to understand. I finished the course feeling much more confident about noticing changes in how my dog is moving and knowing which questions to ask my vet to help manage her pain and take care of her joints.
I participated in Shauna’s online course on Canine Arthritis last year. There were several modules covering all aspects of arthritis. An overview of what it is and why it occurs. How to recognize the signs, prevention and management. It was current evidence based material presented in an organized, practical and simple format. It covered many topics and answered many significant questions all dog owners should be aware of and asking themselves and their veterinarians. As a registered physiotherapist and owner of 5 dogs to date I highly recommend this course . I wish I had this knowledge base when I was raising my first 3 dogs.
As a large-breed dog owner, I knew arthritis was likely at some point, but this course made me feel truly prepared. It gave me a deeper understanding of what my dog may be feeling and how to recognize early signs. The hands-on videos were invaluable and gave me a better foundation for understanding my own dogs and knowing when to seek professional support - something every dog owner would benefit from.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time does the course take to complete?
Most module videos are 20-30 minutes in length. The corresponding worksheets may take you minutes to complete or you may want to spend much longer reviewing them (especially when completing the "Assessing your Dog" lessons.) The course is self-paced and designed to fit into real life.
You can move through the modules gradually, pause when needed, and return to specific topics as your dog’s needs change. There’s no timeline or pressure to “keep up.”
What if I have questions?
In the course platform there are "comment" sections below each lesson in which you can either post your questions and have them answered by Shauna or read questions from other students (usually if YOU have a question, someone else has the same question).
Is this course a replacement for veterinary or rehabilitation care?
No. This course is meant to support and complement the care your dog already receives. It helps you better understand your dog’s arthritis and engage more confidently in conversations and decision-making alongside your veterinary and rehabilitation team.
My dog is already on pain medication. Will this still be helpful?
Yes. Many dogs with arthritis require medication, and this course does not take a medication-free stance. Instead, it helps you understand the many factors that influence comfort, mobility, and quality of life — alongside medical management.
What if my dog’s arthritis is mild or newly diagnosed?
This course is appropriate at any stage of arthritis. Many people find it especially helpful early on, as it builds understanding and a management plan. This can help slow or delay the progression of arthritis.
What if my dog’s arthritis is advanced?
The course is equally relevant for dogs with more advanced arthritis. Topics like assessment, exercise modification, comfort, and quality of life are especially important as needs evolve over time. Sometimes it can feel like there is little you can do when arthritis is more advanced. This course addresses many strategies that are applicable to dogs with more advanced disease.
Will I be asked to do homework?
Most modules include optional guided worksheets for solidifying knowledge. These are designed to help you apply what you’re learning to your own dog, at your own pace. They are supportive tools — not assignments — and can be used as much or as little as feels helpful. Knowledge alone won't help your dog. The worksheets were created so you can apply the teachings to your dog right away.
How long will I have access to the course materials?
You will have lifetime access to the course as long as navigatingcaninearthritis.com is running.
Can I purchase individual modules?
Yes. You can purchase the entire Navigating Canine Arthritis course OR individual modules that meet your needs.
If I purchased an individual module and want more modules can I upgrade to the full course?
At this time, no. In the future we may run limited time promotions with the option to upgrade but that is not yet in the works.