30/08/2024
Whether you’re suffering from a sore back, stiff shoulder or busy brain, massage is one of the best ways for people to loosen up and relax.
But did you know that it can be beneficial for our four-legged friends as well?
To introduce your dog to canine massages, here are simple steps to get you started
How to massage your dog in 8 steps at home :-
Step 1: Prepare your dog for a massage
Using flat hands, slowly and gently stroke your dog on either side of their spine, from their neck to the base of their tail, for a count of 10-15.
Continue this step for 2 to 3 minutes to make sure they’re thoroughly relaxed for the massage ahead.
Step 2: Start by massaging your dog's head
With your hand and fingers flat, start just above your dog’s nose and gently slide your hand between their eyes, over the top of their head, following the direction of their fur.
Continue for 1 minute.
Step 3: Use light pressure to massage your dog's neck
Feel for the base of your dog’s skull, at the back of the neck. Use a flat hand with light pressure in your fingers, make light, circular movements in a clockwise direction. Experiment with larger and smaller circles to see what your pet enjoys.
Continue for 1 to 2 minutes and repeat this on the other side of their neck.
Step 4: Massage the shoulders using a flat palm
With your dog lying on its side, use a flat hand to massage their shoulder blade using slow, circular movements.
Continue for 1 minute and repeat on the other side.
Step 5: Massage your dog's paws including toes
With your dog lying down or sitting, hold its paw in one hand. Using your forefinger and thumb, massage gently along the bones that make up the paw, as well as along each of their digits.
Continue for 1 minute and repeat on the other front paw.
Step 6: Massage both sides of the ribs whilst your dog lies on it's side
With your dog lying on its side, use your fingers to find the gaps in between their ribs. Then, make small up-and-down vibrating movements that help to stimulate the intercostal muscles in between the ribs.
Continue for 1 to 2 minutes then repeat on the other side.
Step 7: Continue to hips and legs whilst your dog continues to lie down
While your dog is lying on its side, find the hip joint by gently bending and straightening their top back leg. Once you’ve found the hip, massage the area in a circular pattern with your fingertips. Continue this for 1 to 2 minutes then repeat on the other side.
Step 8: To complete talk to your talk in a soothing voice and pat with a flat palm along their body
Finish the massage gently by laying your dog on its side. Using a flat palm and fingers, gently and slowly stroke your dog (1) down their back, then (2) from their hip to back foot, and finally (3) from their shoulder to front paw.
Speak calmly and reassuringly to your dog during this time. There’s no need to repeat the above process on the other side, just let your best friend be calm and enjoy their newly-relaxed state.
I hope this information was helpful ☺️
To book your next massage appointment at Just Breathe Massage
Feel free to call 0407651698
