Category: Canine Massage

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Canine Massage

My Favorite Items to Use When Massaging a Dog

My favorite items to use when massaging a dog are pretty simple.

Let me share these 4 items with you.

You can click on the image to get more detail if you are interested.

 

 

Bed

I’ve tried using a massage table when I first taking my clients back in 2010 but quickly learned that it wasn’t a very practical choice.

After realizing that being on the floor is much less stressful for the dogs, I started massaging dogs on the floor.

 

This type of dog bed is exceptional, though.

I gave it a try at my client’s house for the first time and I was pleasantly surprised.

The biggest advantage is that you can slide your legs underneath this bed.

This helps your lower back tremendously especially if your dog is tiny.

 

 

 

Background Music

If you google “relaxing music for dogs”, you’ll see so many options come up but they are not all the same.

This speaker is packed with classical piano pieces that were arranged in the way that are soothing to the dog’s ears bio-acoustically.

This has been so popular among my furry clients especially those who are shy or fearful.

 

 

 

 

Hot Stones

I can’t recommend thermal therapy enough for your dog, especially older one with chronic pain.

Hot stones can quickly warm up the tissues and mask the pain so that the dog is more relaxed and can tolerate massage strokes and pressure more comfortably.

 

 

Study on Canine Behaviors

Besides the canine anatomy and massage techniques, learning the difference between how we think and how the dogs think is crucial in terms of creating a safe environment for a dog to feel comfortable and benefit from a massage.

“Forcing” the dog in any way isn’t the way to go!

 

All of Dr. Yin’s books and DVDs are valuable to everyone who comes close contact with dogs personally and professionally.

 

 

 

I will update you as I come across with more items that can be helpful to make a massage time more successful for you and your dog!

 

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Blog Canine Massage Wellness Maintenance

Stay Home and Massage Your Dog with Me

stay home and massage your dog with me

Stay home and massage your dog with me!

Let’s make sure our pets are not emotionally effected by our emotions while dealing with this pandemic!

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Blog Canine Massage

3 Reasons Why Puppies Need Massage

One of my foci this year is to let people know that Massage is Just as Important as Food for Dogs. Yes, puppies, too! If you have ever experienced taking care of a puppy, you know how fast they grow.

My dog, Dewey is already 5 and I don’t know what happened to the little puppy that he used to be! I regret not taking enough pictures to capture all the amazing day-by-day transformations.

It seems like there is a notion that puppies don’t need massage. I hear in a conversation often referring to a puppy or a younger dog in the family not needing a massage, that massage is just for senior dogs…If you think the same way, you are wrong!! Why?

Reason 1. Puppies Are Active

Sometimes, puppies take really sharp, full-speed turns out of excitement when unleashed.  They twist and turn their bodies as if they are serious athletes.

Puppies playing

After playing hard like that, muscles are over-worked and full of lactic acid whether the dog is young or old.

The muscles in the shoulder, neck, lower back and thighs need to be loosened so that they can have fun again without any soreness.

And most importantly, loosening the muscles after play/excercise is the key in preventing injuries!

Reason 2. Puppies Grow Fast

I remember Dewey couldn’t go upstairs one day, and all of a sudden, the very next day, he could.

It seemed like he was getting bigger every morning when he woke up!

Growth spurts are even more obvious with large breed puppies.

It is not easy for puppies to deal with their own bodies since they seem to be getting bigger each day.

Massage can help stimulate the brain to acknowledge their own body and size (stimulation of proprioception).

Puppy

Reason 3.  Puppies Need ‘Touch’ & Socialization

While puppies grow rapidly, touching, petting & massaging can benefit greatly.

Touch through the skin stimulates the brain. Massage promotes blood circulation and nutrients get carried through the bones, muscles and wherever else necessary to develop and maintain a healthy body.

Massage also promotes the production of serotonin, which is a “happy hormone”.

Puppies will grow up learning that it feels good when people touch them, instead of being fearful.

Having them get used to gentle touches and strokes early in life is a major ingredient for a happy dog, don’t you agree??

Categories
Blog Canine Massage

How Do You Know If Your Dog Needs A Massage??

How Do You Know If Your Dog Needs A Massage??

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I was at an event hosted by Pet Food Express Campbell Store  a while back.  A gentleman approached me looking puzzled and said, “How do you know if your dog needs a massage?”

I wasn’t quite sure if he was just teasing me or sincerely asking the question at first. So, my first response was “Do you know when you need a massage?” Answering a question with a question… not good. LOL

But for the record, the gentleman WAS sincerely curious and I’m glad that we had a meaningful conversation. In case you are wondering the same thing, I have put together some indications that may be helpful for you to understand your dog’s physical needs.

1. Don’t Expect A Verbal Cue

Needless to say, people and dogs don’t speak the same language but we do communicate with each other all the time. So, it is up to us, people to think what is good or needed for our dogs.

 

2. Watch How Your Dog Walks Every Day

How can we tell if your dog needs a massage? Well, regardless of your dog’s physical condition, massage is always beneficial for over-all wellness physically and emotionally.

To find out exactly what your dog needs in terms of massage or any other type of bodywork is determined by your daily observations.

Daily Observations

  • My dog was skipping a few times today while walking.
  • My dog looks really stiff when running and it looks like the knees are not bending at all.
  • I see some skin twitching on my dog’s back sometimes. What is that?
  • My dog seems to hop instead of walk even when we are moving slowly.
  • My dog keeps his head down or swings the head down as he takes each step. What is wrong?

I hear these types of comments/questions all the time and am very happy to know that the growing number of dog owners are more conscious about orthopedic and other physical conditions and needs of their dogs.   There is a reason why you see what you see and the knowledge can help you decide what may be the best approach for your dog.  Massage may be something your dog can greatly benefit from.

Again, going back to the question of “how do you know your dog needs a massage”, my answer would be “by daily observation”.