Home Massage for Dogs

Tips for Helping Your Dog Relax

Apr 17, 2006 Joy Butler

A gentle home massage can give your dog comfort as well as aiding the nervous system and increasing circulation. You can vary your home massage in a number of ways, but

Deep massage on dogs requires knowledge of anatomy and should be performed only by a trained and certified practitioner but there's no reason you can't give your pet a light, relaxing rubdown right at home.

Have your dog lie on a soft, firm surface such as a rug, although very small dogs can be done sitting or crouching on your lap. Start with several soft, slow strokes from head to tail. When your dog begins to relax, scratch gently behind the ears, moving to the cheeks, under the chin, over the nose, between the eyes and over the head. Rub each ear several times between your thumb and forefinger, working from base to tip.

Using three fingers, move slowly over the neck, shoulders, and chest in small, circular patterns, gently pinching folds of any loose skin in these areas. Lightly squeeze down the length of each foreleg, then place three fingers on each side of the leg and softly rub opposite directions several times. If your dog is comfortable with having his feet handled, use your thumb and forefinger and give each foot a couple of soft squeezes. This is a good time to look out for any burrs, ticks, or skin abnormalities. Use common sense in avoiding wounds, lumps, rashes or any sore spots.

The second phase of the massage can include placing your thumb and index finger on each side of the spine and 'walking' them toward the base of the tail, and then the outside of each thigh. You may also squeeze the length of the tail and move down the rear legs in the same way as on the front legs, if your dog doesn't protest. If at any point, your dog resists, respect his wish and move to the last area or technique he enjoyed. Finish up with several soft, slow strokes from head to tail.

Remember, deep massage should be done only by a trained and certified practitioner so it's very important to always keep your home massage light and gentle. When you finish, your dog will most likely be snoozing peacefully and you may be surprised to find your own tensions melted away as well.

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The copyright of the article Home Massage for Dogs in Dogs is owned by Joy Butler. Permission to republish Home Massage for Dogs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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Comments

May 9, 2008 1:13 PM

Guest :

Great article! Must try this gentle massage on my dog, Precious (weenie dog)!

May 13, 2008 3:10 PM

Guest :

My dog loves his massage. Afterward he snoozes like a baby. One thing he really likes is to gently pull out the loose skin around his neck and just work it back and forth a bit. Don't pull too hard. He also loves it when I run my fingers up the base of his neck to the top of his head...actually it is just moving the skin over his head around. Again..carefully. One more thing he likes..we call it "exercise"..he lays on his back and I gently pull legs out staight for a 4 count and then gently push leg back to a knee bend. Repeat. Don't force leg out straight, your dog will let you know his limits and don't force a knee bend, again, your dog will let you know. After leg exercise, I massage his thigh. When finished, he jumps up..a new dog!
Show them how much you love them. The reward is great!

Feb 27, 2009 9:50 AM

Guest :

My flat-coated retriever is 12 yrs young and loves to be massaged, behind her ears softly on her nose and under her chin...She also loves to be told how beautiful she is and how my we love her..I truely believe she understands every word my husband and I say! A real Smart One...Thanks for the article and I will continue to massage her and talk to her...We know she's aging, just as we are..

Mar 8, 2009 1:04 PM

Guest :

My beagle is so relaxed he fell asleap during the massage!
ps. he is snoring! :-D

Mar 13, 2009 12:16 AM

Guest :

I have the most playful wonderful yellow lab who is 4 yrs old. I can massage him when he is laying on one side or the other, but there is no flipping him unless he wants to. I havwe a massage therapist who is great and says she has massaged dogs before. I just dont know how to get my dog to lay still enough or to flip over without wanting to get up. Any suggestions?

Mar 13, 2009 10:02 AM

Guest :

I will have to try on Pixie (weenie dog also!). Just found out she has neck pain because of a bad disc. :-(

Mar 17, 2009 8:42 AM

Guest :

I started massaging my dog when I first got him as a stray because I read that it would help us bond. It really worked well! He is inseparable from me. He no londer leaves the yard without me but doesn't have separation anxiety anymore when I go to work either. It really helped him relax into becoming a part of my household.

May 1, 2009 5:23 PM

Guest :

For the person having trouble flipping their dog, try putting a towel underneath and gently raise one side while you use your hand on the dog's stomach to help flip him over. Good luck!

May 14, 2009 7:25 AM

Guest :

I tried this massage on my 2, 3yo Jack Russell males & they loved it ! Also I have been feeding them the "Doggie Hamburger-helper" for about 9 months. They love it, plus I can see improvement in their: coat, temperment, energy, sleep, over all health I guess. Plus my Vet. said it was a good idea. They also love the "Pooch peanut-butter cookies"--------Jason, Salisbury NC

Jun 2, 2009 6:05 AM

Guest :

My dog tyra loves the massages i give her, especially around the ears and up her spine. she is nearly 14 years old and has some arthritic pain and i do belive this helps her a lot. its like she goes into a relaxing trance and her pain is lifted. its just great for dogs and all animals i belive.

Jul 1, 2009 1:38 PM

Guest :

When I tryed it on both of my dogs, my sleepy one that is almost 9 enjoyed it and my other one that is hyper and is almost 7 left in the middle. Over all I think it works. Thanks

Jul 17, 2009 1:04 PM

Guest :

my three chihuahuas are always up and running.my two females love their massages and relax immediately ,but the male is so hyper he wont sit still so he's a lost cause. Otherwise it great.

Aug 21, 2009 1:33 PM

Guest :

im about to try this massage on my dog i think she'll like it but shes pretty laid back already................................

Oct 13, 2009 11:41 AM

Guest :

Our Australian Shepherd tore his ACL at ll years of age. No surgery (almost...bad story). I gently but firmly massaged around the knee area, but only when he allowed it and enjoyed it (I'm a massage therapist). He recovered...not even a limp! Massage therapy with anti-convulsive essential oils also helped eliminate seizures at 5 years of age...didn't know the cause of the seizures, though.

Dec 12, 2009 9:20 AM

Guest :

I did this on my 2 year old Puggle while he was laying with me in a chair. He is incredibly hyper but as soon as I started massaging around his neck and head, he totally relaxed. He is now snoring in my lap :D Love this! It really helped me strengthen our bond as well as made him feel great!

Dec 29, 2009 12:12 PM

Guest :

Great technique! My dog adores this treatment! she fell asleep like a baby :3 !

16 Comments