A good massage session can increase circulation, decrease muscle pain and promote flexibility, relieving your pet from stress
You probably know the benefits of a frequent good massage. Your dog enjoys it as much as you.
On the ear. Across the tummy. It increases circulation, decrease muscle pain, decreases stress and improves the autoimmune response.
It’s a proven medical fact that massages lowers the level of stress hormones.
The positive effects of relaxation and energy are obvious. Although they are still being studied.
How to massage your dog
You may not need to resort to a paid professional, unless your dog has a serious health problem or you are hoping for significant health benefits.
There are several books and DVDs available that will give you complete instructions. You may find that your dog likes your technique just fine, as long as you are careful and not overly eager.
Starting out with a little at-home massage is a great way to see if your dog will respond at all.
Many love it. Others never quite get used to the idea. It’s good to know what’s up with your own dog before you invest in professional attention. Dog massage involves the same techniques used on humans. There’s effleurage (long, slow strokes), friction (pressure without moving the skin) percussion (drumming with the fingers or hands), and petrissage (kneading).
You can use all four on Fido. Massage the entire body (with a few exceptions), or concentrate on special spots — or even on acupuncture points, if you’re familiar with them.
What to do
Have your dog lie down on a soft but firm surface — no pillows or cushions that may cause the dog to twist or bend in unexpected ways.
Start with soft, slow strokes from head to tail.
Scratch behind the ears, rub along the cheeks and under the chin, over the nose, between the eyes. Always use light pressure and small, circular strokes — nothing fast, hard, or abrupt.
When you move to the neck, shoulders, and chest, it’s perfectly fine to gather small folds of loose skin for a gentle pinch. You can use three fingers on each side of the leg, too, rubbing softly in opposite directions. You can even give the paws a prolonged and gentle squeeze, if your dog is comfortable with having his or her feet handled, (not all are).
Walk your thumb and index finger down the length of the spine — along the long muscles on each side. Squeeze the tail — don’t pull, but squeeze, gently and firmly, from base to tip.
End with those long, slow strokes again.
Throughout the massage, take your time. When your dog is ready for it to end--he’ll make it clear, usually by becoming restless or uncooperative--stop immediately.
What not to do