Dog Massage - And How to Do It
Dog Massage may be a new concept for you, but if you have ever had an injury or if you simply require relaxation, you know that massage can provide a lot of benefits for you. In the same way, dog massage can help your canine friend. Chances are that in your dog’s lifetime, he has suffered some sort of muscle injury by jumping off the couch the wrong way, twisting his foot in a gopher hole, or wrenching his back while leaping to grab a Frisbee. The injury may not be apparent at first, but perhaps your dog has only seemed to slow down a little in his everyday motions or play. In one of these instances, dog massage could probably help your dog. But, massage can also help a healthy dog maintain his well-being and also help him relax. Massage for dogs can help improve and enhance a number of physical body functions, with two of the most critical being blood circulation and muscle maintenance.
Blood Circulation – massage in this case will help open blood vessels, which in turn improves the circulation of the blood. This aids in getting more oxygen and nutrients to be distributed throughout the dog’s body. And, with a stronger blood flow more waste and toxins (which may be making your dog ill) can be flushed out of your dog’s body.
Muscle Maintenance – through massage, your dog’s constricted muscles will loosen and will result in decreased pain, an increase in range-of-motion and will help restore proper muscle tone. There are however, correct massage techniques that should be used with your pet. You can probably find classes offered to instruct owners in proper massage techniques, as well as books that are available on the subject. There are also many pet clinics that offer exclusive massage for your pet. Ask your vet for recommendations to local facilities, or he may even offer massage therapy in his own clinic. If you choose to perform the massage yourself, it will be time well-spent for you and your pet together. Be assured that your pet will enjoy the sessions of your personal touch on him, and it will help your bond together more than ever. Your pet will also benefit in his physical condition. Dog massage will help: • Relax your dog • Ease pain from injury or surgery • Relieve aching muscles caused by old age • Bond you and your dog together • Ensure that you are doing the best you can for your pet’s health • Gain your dog’s trust Here is a short version on how you can massage your dog. It should only take about 5-10 minutes a day. • Using a small amount of light baby oil rubbed into your hands, start at the top of his head and with a stroking motion, slide your hands down his back to the base of his tail. Do this 3-4 times. Then continue the motion to the tip using a gentle squeeze along the tail. Do this 2-3 times. • Then with your fingers, gently rub the back of your dog’s neck behind his ears. • Hold your dog’s head in your hands around his cheeks and under his ears, and gently rock his head back and forth 4-5 times. • Gently massage your dog’s ear with your thumb and forefinger. Then the other one. • Massage around your dog’s eyes very lightly with your thumb, taking care not to get any oil in them. • Stroke your forefinger down your dog’s nose starting at the top of the head between the eyes. • Massage around your dog’s cheeks and lip flaps at few times and finish the head by stroking the throat and chin. • If you need to, add a little more oil to your hands and begin to gently massage his chest. At this point, your dog should be standing up. • Move your hands down his chest and massage under his armpits. Allow your hands to continue down his forelegs with a firm gentle squeeze along his legs. Do this 2-3 times (starting at the chest). • Do the same procedure on your dog’s back end, starting along his buttocks and down his hind legs. • Gently massage all four paws with your fingers. Using a calming voice and talking to your dog while performing the dog massage will help him to relax and enjoy your touching motions. As always, praise him while performing this procedure.
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For those who love dogs, licensed massage therapist, Maryjean Ballner offers upgraded petting that generates amazing results in her new step-by-step dog approved fully illustrated guide to dog massage.
Use dog massage to help your dog relax, to condition the canine athlete, to assist in recovery from injury or to ease chronic pain. Learn the techniques of a recognized expert in the field. By Author Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt.
