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Pooch Pampering
Jul. 14th, 2008 09:53 pmSaturday, B, another student taught me how to massage Jim. I was fortunate to get one on one attention so I learned well.
Make sure your pooch is on his/her side and their legs are facing you.
First I was taught to massage the spot behind the ears (find the indent at the base of their ear) and rub in circles. Make sure the movements are slow and gentle. No pressure needs to be applied. Then slowly pet their ears like you would normally pet a dog's ears but be extremely gentle so it feels like you're running a brush through the fur there.
Next, knead their scruff slowly. Pretend it is dough for bread or pretzels and use light but sure strokes of your hand. You want to make sure you're not pushing too hard. Kneading the scruff feels good because that's what the mother dogs did for their puppies. This technique relaxes the dog.
Thirdly, begin smoothing the dog's fur from their shoulders to their hind legs, but don't smooth anywhere near the spine. You can rub their stomachs but make sure you are using smooth and long motions across their fur. This is only the beginning. Then slowly redo this method but use circular motions like you're using a curry comb on a horse. Continue these motions until you feel the dog is completely relaxed. They may even be sleeping!
Lastly, move to the legs and the paws. Begin from their armpits and make slow circles. Follow the leg down with you hand and stroke gently. Make sure your dog is comfortable with you touching its feet. If not, don't worry. Time is everything. You can get closer and closer to touching his/her feet if you continue with this exercise. Once you reach the foot, pick it up and start stroking the top of it. Once your dog is used to this, it will allow you to pick their feet up.
That is generally all the techniques. Make sure to have the dog turn to the other side once you are finished with a side. Be patient for these techniques are supposed to help BUILD trust.
Jim has been receiving massages daily since I've learned all of this. Usually after I'm done, he's snoring away and dreaming of chasing something. These techniques can completely relax the dog and I know for sure that a lot of dogs succumb to these techniques.
Hope this helps those who want to learn something new and cool.
Talk to you tomorrow!
Make sure your pooch is on his/her side and their legs are facing you.
First I was taught to massage the spot behind the ears (find the indent at the base of their ear) and rub in circles. Make sure the movements are slow and gentle. No pressure needs to be applied. Then slowly pet their ears like you would normally pet a dog's ears but be extremely gentle so it feels like you're running a brush through the fur there.
Next, knead their scruff slowly. Pretend it is dough for bread or pretzels and use light but sure strokes of your hand. You want to make sure you're not pushing too hard. Kneading the scruff feels good because that's what the mother dogs did for their puppies. This technique relaxes the dog.
Thirdly, begin smoothing the dog's fur from their shoulders to their hind legs, but don't smooth anywhere near the spine. You can rub their stomachs but make sure you are using smooth and long motions across their fur. This is only the beginning. Then slowly redo this method but use circular motions like you're using a curry comb on a horse. Continue these motions until you feel the dog is completely relaxed. They may even be sleeping!
Lastly, move to the legs and the paws. Begin from their armpits and make slow circles. Follow the leg down with you hand and stroke gently. Make sure your dog is comfortable with you touching its feet. If not, don't worry. Time is everything. You can get closer and closer to touching his/her feet if you continue with this exercise. Once you reach the foot, pick it up and start stroking the top of it. Once your dog is used to this, it will allow you to pick their feet up.
That is generally all the techniques. Make sure to have the dog turn to the other side once you are finished with a side. Be patient for these techniques are supposed to help BUILD trust.
Jim has been receiving massages daily since I've learned all of this. Usually after I'm done, he's snoring away and dreaming of chasing something. These techniques can completely relax the dog and I know for sure that a lot of dogs succumb to these techniques.
Hope this helps those who want to learn something new and cool.
Talk to you tomorrow!
