Massage Thearpy

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Massaging is great for any dog ( and human ) to relieve stress..  Stressed dogs need exercise, mind stimulation. and relaxation too.   I've been reading and practicing this at home about an hour after we walk in the evenings, sitting watching TV, or cuddling at bedtime.    But really any where, any time is good--Just ask the dogs  :)

You don't need to hire a professional--no we can't do it as good as they do and it is important to understand canine anatomy to get that intense workout--but we are learning enough to get the benefits and neither of mine are barking complaints to me yet.

 If you want a professional here is a  map to locate one for every state.
http://www.petmassage.com/info/members.htm
 

This site has a lengthy and in-depth video by a dog massage therapist.   I learned some good techniques from this video. 
http://www.monkeysee.com/play/2163-how-to-massage-your-dog

We have our own style --just like petting with an added Flare, and I'm learning what  each dog prefers.  I'd like to teach Laz ( my cat ) to do it for me but until then I'm enjoying learning the techniques myself. 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

A few months ago the Hospice organization that Lucy and Sophie are Paw Pals for offered a free seminar on Synchrosassage which is a massage technique for stress relief in animals. It was very interesting. Here is the website:

http://www.horizoninstitute.net/

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Great site Sherri. Bookemarked When I started looking I found so much out there about stressed dogs. All dogs get stressed. Never thought about massage and aroma therapy for dogs that much before.

The family who adopted Lacey used to tell me about aroma therapy and products to reduce stress in dogs. Their first doodle had cancer at only 2 years of age and they used many methods to get the doodle relaxed and strong enough to withstand Chemo.

This family uses a lot of products with some positive results. Lacey sure is spoiled and lives a very healthy life now :)

But I often wonder about the Lavender and other scented products. Do dogs really like the smells, such as Lavender like humans? Stinky feet therapy maybe? Dirty Underwear maybe? Dogs just seem to have a different taste in smells.

Some of these techniques though actually calm me down too :)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This sounds great, and I'm going to give it a try. I will definitely not be sharing this with my kids though....they already think I'm "over the edge" with the dogs. This would be the "last straw". LOL

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

This would be really good for Guinness right after a therapy visit. Even if he is on his best behavior and all appearances show he is enjoying the visits, there is still some stress involved from visiting.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Great idea!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Over the Edge? Jane? Really? NO................. ?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I know just what you mean. Some of my relatives talk to each other about my "obsession" with my dogs. Really! I just like them better than some of my relatives : )

[Ginny Nightingale]

What a cute picture! I wish my dogs liked my cat. I am afraid that they just think of her as LUNCH!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Of course--not my picture. Should have given it credit but I don't remember where I got it--opps, and sorry.

One of my cats is black and white and does love to sleep with the dogs. She waits for them to fall deep into sleep and cuddles right up.
Spud gets to excited she runs away but Starlit loves loves loves this kitty. My other cat--Dora, I think they would both eat her.

[F, Calla & Luca]

This is very interesting and I will look up the site later.Thanks.