Giving The Dog A Massage
22 Aug 2010
Due to the unconditional love, loyalty, affectionate ways and protectiveness a dog shows its family, it is considered as man’s best friend. There is no doubt that dogs have given pet owners invaluable companionship thus a massage is the least an owner can do to pamper the pet. A dog is a social animal that would love to be petted and to receive attention from its master. Similar to the effects of massage to humans, dogs would get loads of benefits from massage too.
Dog massage has therapeutic benefits that can help a pet with a medical condition. Massage that is aimed to give the dog specific health benefit to manage a serious health concern is best left to the hand of professional massage therapist. However, a five or ten minute daily maintenance massage can make a lot of difference to aging dogs stressed by joint and muscle pains.
Massage can greatly benefit physically and emotionally stressed dogs. Pet parents resort to massaging the dog stressed by the rolling sound of thunder and by the resounding sounds of New Year and 4th of July celebrations. Massaging is quality time that will enhance the bond between owner and pet.
A pet owner should not be daunted with the task of massaging the pet as it can be learned . In spite of the fact that dogs love to be petted, other individuals not accustomed to being touched would not enjoy a massage. Dogs that hate to be petted and touched are mostly mature dogs adopted from animal shelters. Small pets can be massaged while lying in your lap. However, bigger dogs would need a firm but well padded surface like a table or a couch. Get the dog accustomed to long slow strokes from the head to the tip of the tail. With light pressure, scratch behind the dog’s ears, rub the chin and cheeks taking extra care to rub the area between the eyes.
Use the hell of the hand to make circular motion on the neck of large dogs. Applying a little more pressure, move the heel of the hand in the same circular motion down to the shoulders and to the chest of the dog. Massage technique is a bit different on smaller dogs thus instead of the heel of the hand you can use three fingers. The stroking must follow the direction of hair growth. Stroking against the direction of hair growth must be done only on the inside of the legs.
Read more about how to massage your dog and if dogs can have apples at Sarah’s Dogs.
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