Dog massage is gaining in popularity, and if you’ve ever benefited from a therapeutic or relaxing massage, you know why.
Dogs, like people, can develop aches and pains from bumps, bruises or trauma. For example, your dog might have hurt his leg by jumping off the sofa. He favors that leg because he feels pain. His limping puts his body out of balance, which creates soreness in his back and other limbs. Even dogs that are simply getting older might have a decrease in muscle flexibility from a lifetime of living like a dog. When your dog is not acting like his old self, dog massage is a great tool for bringing back his sparkle and making him feel special.
Dog
Massage: Swedish or Shiatsu?
The massage
style you would pick at a spa is a matter of personal preference.
It’s different for dogs.
Do
you want to reward your buddy with an all-over dog massage that makes
him feel great and also helps strengthen your bond? Many videos, books
and classes teach owners how to do the equivalent of rubbing your
spouse’s shoulders when they’re tense. At the Lang
Institute for Canine Massage, we sell videos that help pet parents
understand
massage at a basic level.
Basic
Dog Massage Techniques
Some dogs
take to massage right away, but others have to learn to enjoy the
session. If you want to try giving your pet a feel-good massage, try one
of these techniques:
- Effleurage: This technique relaxes and calms. Using light pressure with the palms of your hands or fingertips, start at the shoulders and slowly glide your hands down your dog’s back all the way to the tail. Think of spreading bread dough, and pretend you are trying to make your dog as thin and long as possible. You’ll know you’re doing it right if your dog relaxes and takes a deep breath.
- Petrissage: This technique works for sore necks and shoulders and is especially good for leash-pullers. Starting behind the ears, use a circular motion and lightly push your fingertips into the neck, working down toward the shoulders. Keep your fingertips together and think of the motion of an ocean wave. Keep your motion rhythmic and calm. If your dog begins to softly yawn, you’re doing a good job!
When
to Go to a Dog Massage Therapist
If your pet
needs a therapeutic massage to help with a specific problem, like
relieving a muscle spasm, it’s best to seek out a professional
who is trained in canine anatomy as well as in the different techniques
such as petrissage, pincher palpation, release and wringing. Massage
therapists for humans must learn about disease, physiology and
orthopedic pathology, and a qualified therapist for canines will be
trained in these disciplines too. Ask your veterinarian for a referral,
or do an online search for the term “certified canine massage
therapist.”