Dog massage

[Nessie]

Hi
I have enrolled in a dog massage course - it's pretty extensive - 8 full days all up and the course book is pretty full on.
I'm just wondering if anyone knows what benefits (apart from the obvious physical ones) it might have on a dog. Of course it is good for their muscles (I'm hoping it will benefit my slightly arthritic soon-to-be eight year old) but what pyschological benefits does it have. Eg, will it calm the monster in my (nearly) 12 month old testerone laden manic entire boy? Or for that matter any other behaviour benefits?
Love to hear from anyone with experience in this.

[SarasMom]

I've got a little boy, 6 months who is quite full of himself and extremely active. He loves to be massaged and will calm right down when I do it. I'm certain it's quite good for the dog mentally and physically.

[MarthaG]

I massage our rottie. I had horses most of my life and I constantly used massage for relaxation and helping muscles feel better after a hard work out. It makes sense to me that it will help our dogs too. I wonder if anyone uses any essential oils for massage?

[Nessie]

I was wondering about oils as well - something calming - lavender?

[bliss7373]

My GSD, Pieka, has secondary Addison's disease. As a result, she does not regulate her stress hormones very well biologically. As part of her treatment, she has received massage/craniosacral/Reiki sessions and I have seen a noticeable difference in her ability to settle and focus afterwards. In fact, the only willing nap I have ever seen that dog take was during one of her sessions.

[NowYoe]

After Yoe had his tplo, I was wondering how to keep him calm, because he's a very active dog, his fysiotherapist advised reiki massage. Next to his normal physical massage, the reiki relaxes him. Specially the position of one hand between his shoulders and one hand on the start of the tail, works magic. Although I'm a pretty down to earth person, I'm a believer now, reading into reiki for dog's, to me it make's more and more sense. Never used oil's, but calming affect of lavender is proven, so why not? (Just wondering what a greasy rottie is going to do, to my already, "shaped by rottie interiordesign.com., house"?.)

[Nessie]

hmm will have to investigate reiki after I've done the course - I doubt they address it in the course itself.
Re oils - I'm sure if you dont use too much - or maybe just burn it in an oil burner near by

[SABELLESMOM]

Originally Posted by Nessie

... what pyschological benefits does it have? Eg, will it calm the monster in my (nearly) 12 month old testerone laden manic entire boy? Or for that matter any other behaviour benefits?
Love to hear from anyone with experience in this.

Oh pick me, pick ME! I know the answer! *Yes, to some degree it does have a general calming effect:

I do a "Doggy Spa" day for them on selected weekends. They get a good clean-up and brush, nails done if necessary, an a massage. Then they sleep all afternoon. Me too...

I do stretches with them before class, and a massage afterwards. I also like to do a "crainium massage" (as a joke), to stimulate the brain before class.

And *No. It helps for a few hours, but you just have to train, train, train, and bribe the UPS man for timely brain shipments on the installment plan! Stetson is wonderful 90% of the time at 15 months, but he still has manic moments. I suspect he will until around 2 or 3.

No oils. Egad! You want to ruin the coat?

Some soothing music would be OK if you want to go that far. Music is preferable to scents in the air as well. Some irritate the dogs eyes and respiratory system. That, and you never know if the dog might have an allergy. It's fun to think of... but they are not humans.

[Nessie]

Thanks everyone - i like the idea of music to soothe the savage beast - haha - not that mine are savage but a 12mo male can be a boisterous thing

[moondog]

Originally Posted by Nessie

... what pyschological benefits does it have. Eg, will it calm the monster in my (nearly) 12 month old testerone laden manic entire boy? Or for that matter any other behaviour benefits?
Love to hear from anyone with experience in this.

I started using massage for the opposite reason....rather than trying to "calm the monster", I used it to try and give a very sick dog a pleasurable reason to want to stick around in this world. When my Luna was very sick and too weak to do anything beyond the bare necessities, I sat on the floor with her and gently massaged her, front to rear and top to bottom. I do believe it helped.

Now for my Chili Monster, I use it to help her relax when those pesky agility dogs get fired up and she has to wait, and I use it in between paws to make nail trimming a more pleasant experience for her.

Worked for both my dogs for completely different reasons. I think massage is a good thing all around.

[Nessie]

I cant wait to try it - I think it will benefit both my dogs for different reasons and everyone I've told has said - oh my dog would like that - almost seems like people are queueing their dogs up for it !

[l777]

Have you all completed massage courses or training to learn proper technique to massage your dogs? Bella's six months and loves a nice rub - and I suppose what I do is like a massage - but am keen to find out more.

[kdogspa]

I offer a Massage to my Grooming Clients ( small dogs only) while I am bathing them in the Hydro Therapy Spa Bath and 'NO' I am not Certified, however, after taking a few courses held at my Grooming Expos, I feel that the small amount of time I use on them, (5 min) and concentrating on all of their Relaxing points, ( Ear tips, muzzle, and back ) is not going to be a bother for most clients.

Since I don't have anyone employed with me that does it Pro, ( I had a gal for 5 yrs, she was a Reiki Master and Certified Therapist ) I know I must always bear in mind, that kind of confusion..... however, I did have a few classes held at my Spa, from a Gal that teaches T Touch ( Tellington Touch) and clients came away with a better understanding of how to use that method, and so did I, in fact, I use that on my Own dogs each day.... it's really a treat for them to have that one on one alone with me :)

[moondog]

Originally Posted by l777

Have you all completed massage courses or training to learn proper technique to massage your dogs? Bella's six months and loves a nice rub - and I suppose what I do is like a massage - but am keen to find out more.

No class here.....I let my dog be my guide!

If I was using massage for physical therapy or some other specific purpose, then I would have someone teach me how to do it best, but for simple doggie love and bonding they let you know when it's nice and when it's not.

[DngrsDan]

I have been giving "massages" to cats and dogs for years. I've been to friends house's who have cats that "never go near strangers" and they can't believe how the cats will gravitate to me. Got the magic fingers.