What canine chiropractic is
The same principle as the human work: find where the spine isn't moving well and correct it, so the nervous system can do its job without interference from a restricted joint.
The exam is a hands-on assessment of the spine and pelvis, segment by segment. The adjustment that follows is specific and low-force — a dog's spine is not a small human's spine, and it isn't treated like one.
How it usually shows up
Reluctance to jump. A changed gait. Difficulty with stairs. A sudden aversion to being touched somewhere. Slowing down in ways that get written off as 'getting older'.
Working and sporting dogs — agility, field trials, hunting — take the same repetitive load an athlete does, and they benefit from the same kind of regular check.
Where it fits with your vet
Animal chiropractic is not a replacement for veterinary medicine. It doesn't diagnose disease, it doesn't treat infection, and it isn't a substitute for surgery when surgery is what the animal needs.
It works alongside your veterinarian, on the mechanical side of the problem. If your dog needs a vet, take your dog to a vet.