Dog massage is a form of physical therapy that can bring multiple benefits. It relaxes the muscles of your dog and promotes the removal of toxins by improving blood flow.
Dog massage is best performed on a dog that has settled after exercise, and should be done when you are calm also. It should be done on soft issues only. If you massage over the bones or the spine, it can be unpleasant for your dog and cause trauma. It should include all muscle areas, including the muscles of the head, face and abdomen. It should be done in the direction of the pull of the muscles.
Here are some basic simple steps to learn how to give a dog a good massage
1) Both you and your dog should be relaxed. They need to understand when you are ready to offer the massage. Apply a gentle and even pressure in flowing movements on each side in turn, from behind the ear and down the front shoulder to the front of the chest. Repeat this three times.
2) Massage your dog from the top of each shoulder to the elbow, then down the front and outside of each front leg to the paw, then up the back and inside of each front leg. Repeat each stage 3 times.
3) With your dog standing, massage from the top of each shoulder along each side of the back to the tail, avoiding the spine. Then massage each side, from hip to the dog's knee, and then down the front and outside of each back leg to the paw, then up the back and inside of each back leg. Repeat again 3 times
Here's a good video that shows dog massage in depth
Enjoy
For more dog tricks and care, check out our main site here
Dog massage is a very rewarding pastime, for dog and dog owner alike. It is a hands on therapy that anyone can learn. A dog will clearly demonstrate when it enjoys or needs a massage, and will find a way to indicate whether more or less pressure is required.
No comments:
Post a Comment