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Canine Massage for Peak Performance, enhancing your dog's health
& physical well-being
No matter how careful we owners are, our dogs are bound to sustain injuries in their lifetimes.
There will be slight bruising or muscle strain; and for some, more serious physical traumas. The causes can be as widely varied
as the injuries. There are day-to-day causes — like energetic play, or jumping too enthusiastically off of your deck.
Other conditions develop over time, from repetitive movements like jumping and twisting associated with canine sports; or
from something as common as pulling on lead. Inactivity can
also be detrimental, causing atrophy, loss of tone and poor circulation. Even after it has been treated and appears
to be healed, your dog may continue to suffer from an injury. Some longterm effects, which generally go untreated, include
reduced flexibility, poor posture and movement, even an imbalance in blood circulation. Over time, these residual effects
can cause a decline in overall health and well-being. Wellness Massage addresses
both original and residual injuries. The technique enhances and improves the physical, mental and emotional well-being
of the animal. It can aid the canine athlete, or elevate the spirits of an elderly dog. Even healthy dogs benefit from
wellness massage, which enhances abilities and increases longevity.
Soothing St r e s s an d Sor e Mus c l e s
Playing ball, wrestling with canine pals, jumping on and off of furniture or steps, digging, running
— normal daily behavior, are all stressors for your dog. So are the activities associated with competition obedience
, agility, flyball, carting, herding, conformation, and other canine sports. Whether competitor or couch potato, all
dogs experience physical stressors. The impact they have can be instantaneous, and obvious, or accumulated and less obvious.
Either way, your dog winds up with sore aching muscles, twisted joints, and sometimes more serious injury. Canine massage
helps reduce the impact of physical stressors. It loosens tight muscles, improves range of motion, restores proper tone and
decreases pain.
He a l ing Hidden “Hu r t s ”
Dogs disguise their pain, and keep poor health hidden — an instinct that carries over from
canines in the wild. Since they do not show their discomfort, we remain unaware of physical problems. Our dogs accept gradual
and increasing pain from negative physical changes without complaint. Finally, when the discomfort is considerable, they display
signs of hurting. The signs may be subtle, such as refusing a command or slower response times; or they may be more obvious,
such as limping, major changes in behavior or outright refusal to jump up onto the couch with you. Regular massage sessions
can help you identify your dog’s physical ailments, and, subsequently, help alleviate them. But more important, regularly
working your dog’s muscles through massage, can be an important preventive measure. The physical benefits are considerable,
even if your dog appears to be healthy and injury-free.
“Big Pi c tur e ” Ben e f i t s
Canine massage aids the body in the following ways:
• Helps open blood vessels, which improves
circulation and remove waste and toxins that may make your dog sick.
• Improves circulation and nutrition of joints and
connective tissue.
• Stimulates and accelerates the lymphatic system.
• Eases the strain of inactivity and prevents or
delays muscular atrophy resulting from forced inactivity.
• Increases body awareness, releases tensions and
provides structural as well as emotional support.
• Simulates skin and coat.
• Restores proper muscle tone, relieves tight, constricted
muscles, helps alleviate pain, improves range of motion.
• Stimulates growth hormones in puppies,
and serves as a slight stressor, valuable in the
socialization process.
Note: While the physical benefits are outstanding, canine massage is never a substitute for licensed veterinary
care.
More information on Canine Massage will follow. Until them you are welcome to reach me at info@massagethedog.com for information on Sponsored Locations, private appointments, rates and the benefits of Masage for your pet.
Elaine Shoe-Ezell, Canine Massage
Provider, graduated from the Lang Institute for Canine Massage, LLC in Loveland, Colorado. She is an American Kennel Club
Canine Ambassador; founder of TheraPet; a Public Education Coordinator for GSGRC; an American Kennel Club CGC Evaluator;
and a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. In addition, she has 20 years experience breeding and training dogs.
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