OK PetGazette - Canine Massage and Stretching

When we take on a dog we take on responsibility. This responsibility involves the everyday care of our dogs in areas such as hygiene, coat and paws, nutrition, exercise and training.

Many dog owners invest considerable time stimulating their dogs through obedience training, seeking activities, tracking and protection exercises at training grounds, out in the countryside or in the forest. These activities allow us to spend time with our dogs while also keeping them physically and mentally alert. Some of us present dogs at shows and judge their appearance and breed attributes. Perhaps we should also pay greater attention to assessing mobility to encourage the sort of care that can spare dogs unnecessary injuries in the future. A well-functioning dog has retained its natural elasticity and suppleness.

A dog with restricted mobility has short and stiff muscles. When a dog has shortened musculature or tonicity, pressure is exerted on the joints leading, in turn, to decreased mobility. This 'strangles' the blood vessels and impairs blood circulation. Muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments then receive insufficient nutrition and less oxygen. Reduced blood flow also means that lactic acid accumulated in the muscles is not naturally transported away. The lactic acid builds up along with other waste products leading to irritation of the pain receptors in the muscles. The dog experiences pain. Pain, in turn, causes further tension and reduces blood flow even more. A vicious circle arises and can persist for some time if it is not discovered and treated.

Short and stiff muscles are something that our dogs and ourselves can suffer from if we don't take care of our physical condition. Another illness that might reduce our dog's mobility is Arthritis, and is usually formed in fibrous connective tissue and cartilage and is very common in older persons or dogs, especially affecting weight-bearing joints. Articular cartilage becomes soft, frayed and thinned. But also younger persons or dogs might get Arthritis due to genetic reasons, injuries or the combination of overweight and too little exercise. A common symptom of Arthritis is stiffness and lameness.

Studies on dogs have shown that regular massage and stretching during a longer period of time are preventing and reducing the effects of Arthritis and age related stiffness.

Massage and stretching are an effective way to prevent muscle related problems and strain injuries and improve the quality of your dog's life. Massage and stretching are a complement to daily exercise, obedience training and diet, and build contact between you and your dog in a natural way. Massage is an enjoyable way of strengthening the bond with your family dog and your canine friend will love it.

I now want to show you how easily you can preserve and increase mobility and reduce the risk of muscle related injuries. Here is an example of one of the basic massage techniques:

"The greater part of the pressure you exert should be applied by the flat hand although your thumb and fingers are also engaged in manipulation."

Massage relaxes the muscles and is an excellent way of letting your dog wind down after a long jogging or cycling session. And it is enjoyable!

Warming up before activity has a preventative effect and stretching is just as effective after the dog has used its muscles. The dog should have warmed up and exercised before you start to stretch the muscles and I recommend that you allow your dog to wind down after physical exertion. Let the dog walk for a while on the lead in the same way a racehorse runs an extra lap at half the pace to round off the race. This helps to remove lactic acid and waste products. As with massage it is important that the dog is relaxed before you start this treatment.

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"Hold the dog's elbow with one hand, grasping the wrist with the other. Move the leg forward and upwards, stretching the elbow joint and the flexor muscles of the foreleg (shoulder joint)."

Warming up can involve walking with the dog on the lead for 15 to 20 minutes before allowing it to run freely. In this way the muscles soften up and are ready for physical activity. Competitive or working dogs should warm up in a more goal-oriented way.

First remember that the dog should have warmed up and exercised before starting a competition or an active session. I also strongly recommend that you allow your dog to wind down after a competition or an active session before any stretching activities. Here is a checklist that could be used before a competition or active session.

Warming up does not tire the dog but rather increases blood circulation and warms up the muscles ensuring that the joints are lubricated and more supple. The dog is now ready to perform.

After the warm up you could also easily test your dog's mobility using the eight most common stretching techniques. You should be sensitive to your dog's signals. The dog should not experience any discomfort. If it does, don't hesitate to contact the vet.

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"Place one hand directly above the knee joint and the other hand on the lower part of the leg around the hock joint. Lift the leg upwards so that the knee is bent. Push gently upwards and backwards with the hand positioned above the knee joint."

After completing a competition or an active session let the dog wind down and then carefully do some stretching exercises.

And when you get home reward the dog with massage and you will get a happy performing dog ready for new challenges.

Massage and stretching is an essential and a low cost investment in your dog's health and improves the quality of your dog's life.

Jörn Oleby, author of the book "Canine Massage and Stretching – A Dog Owners Manual." Pictures used from the book.

Editor's Note: I've read "Canine Massage and Stretching - A Dog Owners Manual."
It is well written, and easy to understand and follow. I highly reccommend it.

How to improve the quality of your dog's life!