Dog massage uses dog-pleasing rubs, scratches and stretches to improve athletic performance, decrease arthritis pain, calm anxiety and behavior issues, or increase the emotional bond between a dog and his human. Instructional programs, ranging from professional certification courses to videos that doggie parents can use at home, make dog massage easy to learn.
Instructions
Explore how-to books. They can teach everything from basic relaxation strokes to hydrotherapy and acupressure for injury management.
Author and instructor Linda Tellington sells books and manuals on her method known as TTouch. On her website, Tellington says her approach is "based on circular movements of the fingers and hands all over the body." TTouch doesn't require specific knowledge of dog anatomy.
In contrast, massage therapist Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt wrote a canine massage book that offers an overview of dog anatomy and physiology before describing specific massage techniques and stretches to treat common stress areas or injuries.
Watch instructional videos. There are free, short instructional videos at sites like You Tube, or you can find DVDs through professional training programs. The PetMassage training program offers video instruction on general dog massage and massage for older dogs, and one DVD is designed to teach children how to massage their dogs. TTouch videos teach techniques for introducing a new pet to the family, calming an anxious dog, or improving dog training.
Take a hands-on course. Look for local workshops through animal shelters or community centers, or find a professional pet massage therapist through certification programs like the ones listed in the Resource section of this article. You might be able to hire a professional therapist for a few hours of individual instruction with you and your dog.
Career-focused students can look for longer certification courses. The PetMassage school offers week-long trainings at its Ohio campus, and the Colorado-based Lang Institute offers a certification course that includes classroom instruction, home study, and supervised practice.
Learn from your dog. If he is the type to soak up all the petting you're willing to give, then find a quiet room, a soft dog bed, and a little relaxation time with your canine pal. The first step for a good dog massage is to relax your own mind and body so you can create a fun and safe environment for the dog. As author Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt says, your dog will not relax if you approach her when you are tense or distracted, "In other words, the way you are is the way your dog will be." As you explore various strokes and stretches, watch your dog's face and breathing. His body language will tell you when you get it right.