How to Massage Your Dog

Hi, this is Patty Bianca, Certified Canine Massage Therapist, and owner of Natural Relief for Horse & Hound. This is my lovely assistance, Whisky, and were here at Tranquility Farm Equestrian Education & Renewal Center, 501C3, in Thurmont, Maryland, to show you how to massage your own canine friends. I was certified in Canine and Equine Sports Massage through Equissage, internationally renowned leader in animals massage, and since then I have massaged dogs of all sizes and shapes, and several horses as well. To get started in this demonstration, we not only are going to show you the hand strokes and how to apply them, but we will start out with the basics of canine message, and what muscles spasms are, how they form, and how massage addresses that. In this demonstration I have Whisky on a massage table, but the only materials you truly need are your two hands and a willing subject In fact, for safety sake its better to actually have them on the floor, perhaps in their own little bed, to keep them from jumping off unexpectively. Other safety precautions are that you should never massage a dog that is suffering from fever, shock or cancer. Also, as you massage, avoid any areas of unexplained swelling. Also, remember that massage is not a substitute for proper veterinary care, it is a compliment to it, and it has many benefits for their health. Before you get started massaging your dog, you might, if you have a high energy breed, want to take them for a walk to get some of that excess energy out, but dont be surprised if they still get off and walk around in between the massage sequence, its not a problem, you can simply take up where you left off when she settles down. All dogs are going to -- keep in mind that all dogs are of different temperaments and different sizes and shapes. As I show you the hand strokes that you will use, you can modify those hand strokes and the pressure that you use to match your dog size and sensitivity level. This has been the introduction to how to massage your dog, and in the next sequence we will go over the basics of canine massage.