You know your dog loves your attention, and he probably can’t seem to get enough petting. Massage provides emotional comfort and is calming for you as well as your pet. It helps improve blood circulation and can soothe tired and sore muscles. We have laid out a great beginner’s massage exercise to practice on your dog to help you fine-tune the therapeutic benefits of touch, an important way to bond with your dog. Schedule massage time when you both are relaxed and won’t feel rushed—perhaps first thing in the morning or right before bedtime—and be consistent, since your massage skills will improve with practice. If you have more than one dog, remember that each one will have his own special needs and likes and dislikes. Jordan would be happy to be petted and massaged for hours, while Gertrude had a much shorter attention span and would often get up in the middle of a massage.
Your hands are the only tool you’ll need to massage your dog. You can use different parts of your hands to apply different types of pressure. Fingers are good for pinpointing tension, and flat palms are good for overall soothing. Pay attention to the amount of pressure applied and vary according to need and the comfort level of your dog.
01. The general atmosphere of a massage should be a relaxing one, so have your dog lie on her side. Speak softly, and gently pet her until she is relaxed.
02. Pay close attention to everything you feel along your dog’s skin as you run your hands over her whole body, head to tail and down each leg. Carefully check for areas that may be sore or tender. This is also a good time to check for unusual lumps or for cuts you may not have noticed.
03. Using the palm of your hand, apply gentle pressure to muscular areas in a circular motion, beginning at the shoulder. Do this all over your pet’s body, paying attention to where she seems to like the pressure the most and where she seems uncomfortable. Larger dogs will like more pressure than smaller ones.
04. Run your fingertips down the sides of her spine, becoming familiar with each vertebra. Do not apply pressure. Gently massage the tissue on either side of the spine with your fingertips in small, circular motions.
05. Massage each of your dog’s legs, beginning with the large muscle above the knee, gently rubbing back and forth with the palm of your hand. Then move down the leg, running your fingertips along the tendons and gently between the tendon and bone. Finally, gently rub the pads on the bottom of the foot, as well as the skin between the pads. (If your dog has very sensitive pads, skip this part.)
06. Use your fingertips to gently rub the muscles on her head, giving attention to her forehead, cheeks, ears, and muzzle.
07. To finish, repeat the first step, gently petting the length of your dog’s body, from head to tail and down each leg.