Massaging Your Dog
March 11th 2008 23:23
Phoebe is ready for her massage after a long play in Centennial Park
There are a few simple things you can do to enjoy your time with your dog. They love a good rub, so why not add another dimension and use your hands to help your dog.
Things to remember:
Always clean your hands and make sure they are not cold.
You don't need to use oils or creams, your dog's coat will be a great lubricate for your strokes.
Make sure your nails are trimmed with of jagged edges.
For the active dog, try massaging after his walk or play session, he will be less likely to be distracted.
Always approach gently, sudden movements may make your dog nervous or stressed.
Stroke and reassure your dog, I always explain to them that if I do hit an “ouch' it is not intentional and I am only doing this to help not hurt.
Keep a nice rhythm, and watch your breathing, if your dog gets stressed and begins to breath faster, slow your breathing down and he should start to mirror your respiration rate.
Listen and watch your dog's body language, note anything that makes him feel uncomfortable. It could also warn you about any problems you may need to talk to your veterinarian about, this could include any unusual lumps you come across.
Respect where your dog is at, this will depend on his mood and also if he has had enough, don't force him to continue. He will appreciate you recognising his boundaries at this time.
Things to be careful about:
Unless you are a professional massage therapist, wise not to massage a dog you don;t know. Trust is vital to this activity.
If you are not in a good mood, don't massage. You can sabotage all your good efforts if you do not have your mind on the job or if you are dumping all your negative emotions on them. The dog may avoid you for a while if you do.
Be clear in mind and body
If you have been drinking alcohol, taking sedatives or non prescription drugs – your perceptions may be clouded and you may misread your dog's responses. Better still, do not massage your dog under any chemical influence.
Don't force a massage.
Don't press too deeply. Let your dog tell you if you are using too much pressure.
The usual don't:
Don't massage if your dog is in shock, fever, skin inflammation or infection, fresh scar tissue or recent cuts and abrasions. (these are just a basic list).
Basically use a lot of commonsense and have fun.
a neat little reference is Dog massage by Bo Lundberg and Wendy Kavanagh (MQ Publications Ltd)
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