When was the last time you went for a massage? I wish I could go more often, as it's so relaxing, but it's also incredibly good for our brains and body too? If it is so good for us, how much can it benefit our dogs?
Benefits of Dog Massages
Reduces anxiety
Calming
Soothes sore muscles
Helps with arthritis
Warm up before or cool down after a hike or run
Bonding
Lowers YOUR heart rate and blood pressure too!
Keeps muscles flexible
Boosts circulation
When and Where Should You Use Massage?
When you massage your dog, it should be done somewhere calm and quiet, in a place your dog can easily relax without distractions. Playing calming music is a nice way to add some auditory enrichment. Do it at a time you would typically relax together, when your dog is sleepy.
How to Start
To begin with, keep sessions short and start in areas of the body where they are confident being handled. Avoid any areas they don’t like being touched, and avoid all injuries (make sure to get those check out by your vet!)
Most importantly, if your dog gets up and moves away, let them.
Always start with long gentle strokes. This is a great way to relax your dog at the start of the session as well as a calm way to end a massage. In addition, you can use this time to detect any areas with more tension, swelling, or temperature differences.
Move slowly and gently with soft pressure. Never go too deep - that should be left to the professionals who know how to not injure your dog. Keep your hands moving, and don’t spend too long on one muscle. Massage towards the heart to encourage circulation
Types of Massage
Effleurage:
Rubs the length of the whole muscle
Always aim to go in the direction of the heart.
One thumb along either side of the spine
Finger or thumb from your dogs nose, along the top of the muzzle and between the eyes, then over the head and down the neck.
Petrissage:
Uses pressure on the main part of the muscle, usually the middle.
Target areas with this method where you feel more tension
Gentle pressure:
This is using pressure and heat to increase warmth, relaxation, and circulation to the muscle.
On bigger muscles, put one hand on either side, gently press, hold, and release.
For smaller muscles, or smaller dogs, use one or two fingers on either side, or wrap your hand around the muscle so your palm is on one side and your fingers on the other.
T-Touch:
Gently uses pressure in a clockwise circular motion for one and a quarter circles.
Use a steady rhythm and pay attention to your connection with the dog.
Always keep your other hand on the dog .
Skin rolling:
This is one my dog loves!
Used mainly in the skin rolls around the neck, but depending on your dog’s breed, age, and weight, (and therefore how much excess skin they have), other areas can be massaged too.
Simply pick up a roll of skin, and gently rub your fingers backwards and forwards a few times, drop the skin, and repeat.
Reflexology:
Reflexology is a type of massage where pressure is applied to specific points on the paws and ears, similarly to how it is used on human’s feet.
The theory is that certain points on the feet connect all around the body, and through massage can heal or help various medical conditions. There is no animal-based science to back this up, however there is anecdotal evidence.
Start by using just gentle stroking of the paws, as many dogs don’t like their feet being touched.
Mild pressure is best, rubbing in small circles.
A good starting point is the middle of the large paw pads
Use reflexology on the ears too, where there are loads of nerve endings which, when rubbed, can release endorphins and help your dog to relax.
Geriatric massage:
Focuses mainly on increasing circulation, so always going towards the heart
Before using any massage, warm up the muscle first by gentle stroking in that area.
Tapping:
This method uses a cupped hand (larger dogs) or two fingers (smaller dogs and smaller muscles areas) to quickly tap a particular area repeatedly.
This creates a vibration effect which improves circulation and lymph fluid.
Stretches:
Massage can be combined with gentle stretches, which is useful for dogs who are about to do, or have just completed intense activity. This is also great for elderly dogs.
Back legs: hold their leg at the knee, gently pull it back so it extends backwards, hold for a few seconds, and release. (Good for lower back, hip, and leg)
Shoulder: move your dog’s front leg forwards, into a superman pose. Hold them at the elbow for a few seconds, and gently release. Repeat this a few times, then, with one hand on the ‘forearm’ and the other laying gently on their shoulder, move their leg forwards and backwards - few times.
If you are after more tips for helping your dog relax, make sure to subscribe to my blog! Click the button below, enter your email address, and click subscribe!
ENJOY!
Comments