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