| T-TOUCH FOR YOUR DOG THIS IS FOR ALL BREEDS OF DOGS 
DOG MASSAGE TECHNIQUES This excellent information on massaging your dog was written by Kimberley Schreyer. She has very generously allowed me to post it on this website. Permission to reprint for non-profit purposes such as club newsletters is granted provided the article is printed as written and full credit is given to the author. Needless to say these massage techniques are applicable to all breeds of dog. | Massaging your dog has many benefits:
(1) Relaxes your dog.
(2) Soothes tired or sore muscles.
(3) Eases pain from surgery or other injuries.
(4) Helps your dog suffering from ailments caused by old age to feel better.
(5) Gains your dog's trust.
(6) Noticeably increases the bond between you and your dog.
| Many people hardly ever touch their dogs any more other than just petting or an occasional brushing. I believe dogs feel love and affection and need to be touched by their loved ones just like humans do. Take 5 minutes a day and massage your dog on almost every part of its body from his head to his toes and you will not only get to know your dog better, but your touch will also stimulate something in your dog that will make your dog respond to you in ways I cannot explain. I guarantee you will notice the change in your dog's attitude within as little as 2 - 3 days!!!! Instructions for dog massage: Use a very light oil. (I recommend Neutrogena Light Sesame Body Oil but baby oil is O.K.) Rub a very small amount (the size of a dime) into your hands and start at the top of the head and slowly stroke down the back to the base of the tail 3 - 4 times. Do an additional 2 - 3 times including the tail this time all the way to the tip. Use a very gentle but firm "squeeze-grip" on the tail as you slide your hand down to the tip, starting with a pause as you squeeze at the base of the tail, keeping your grip all the way to the tip of the tail. Next, gently rub the back of the neck behind the ears with your forefingers for a few seconds. Then, hold your dog's head in your hands by the cheeks and under the ears (with the dog facing you) and rock the head gently side-to-side 4 - 5 times. Massage the ears, taking care when you finish by inserting the tip of your thumb into the ear (about 1/8") and rub the ears between your thumb and forefinger. Massage your dog's eyes (they will close automatically) very lightly with your thumbs and stroke your forefinger down the nose, starting between the eyes. Gently pinch your dog's cheeks and lips several times and finally stroke the throat and chin. Add a drop more oil to your hands and massage the chest (while the dog is standing), moving your hands under the armpits and rubbing gently. Allow your hands to slide from the armpits to the forelegs. Slide your hands down the forelegs (like you did for the tail) with a soft but firm grip all the way down to the paws. Gently hold the paws (one at a time) and squeeze gently for a few seconds. Repeat this procedure, starting with the chest, 2 - 3 times. *A note: It is best to straddle your dog standing over him like you would sit on a horse when you start with the chest massage (don't sit on him!!!). Then turn the opposite direction and massage the buttock, sliding your hands down the hind legs and massaging down to the paws. (Just as you did for the forelegs.) You can also massage the chest, armpits, legs and paws while your dog is laying down. Either on his side or on his back. And during the whole procedure, speak to your dog in a sweet, soft voice..........WISPER VERY LOW!! SAYING HIS/HER NAME OVER & OVER. TELLING HIM/HER THAT THEY ARE SUCH A GOOD BOY/GIRL!!!!!!!!!!! MORE: MAKE YOUR DOG FEEL BETTER THE TELLINGTON TOUCH TECHNIQUE To do the TTouch, select a quiet time for you and your dog. Use slightly curved fingers to make clockwise circles on your dog's skin. Maintain a steady rhythm and constant pressure as you glide your fingers clockwise one-and-a-quarter revolutions. There are nine degrees of pressure, the lightest being 1 degree. Maintain calm, deep breathing. Limit sessions to 10 to 30 minutes. TTouch uses nine different moves, many named in celebration of animals. Here are some of the common TTouches and their benefits. 1. Ear T Touch: This is the most basic and essential technique. It helps dogs relax, combat stress, improve digestion, relieve carsickness and recover from shock. Several key acupuncture points that correlate to different parts of the body and bodily function are located in the ears. The Steps: Take your dog's ear between thumb and forefinger and make tiny circles with your fingers, covering your dog's entire ear region in long glides. Use fingertips to make tiny circles on the tips of the ears. 2. Clouded Leopard: The name describes how your hand rests on your dog's body: The pressure should be as light as a cloud. The Steps: Lightly place your hand on your dog's body, with fingers slightly curved. Keep forefinger and thumb about 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart and wrist straight and flexible. Use the pads of your fingers to push down lightly on dog's skin and make one-and-a-quarter circles, leading with the middle finger. Be sure to move the skin in a circle rather than rub over the hair. 3. Pulling the Plow: This technique is a comforting way to intoduce TTouch to fearful dogs or older dogs sensitive to being touched. It is best used to increase circulation and treat emotional problems, grooming problems and pain.. The Steps: Place hands side by side with fingers separated and slightly curved. The thumbs, touching each other, should extend behind fingers as you "walk" your forefingers and middle fingers against the grain of dog's hair. Allow thumbs to follow behind, pushing a light furrow of hair along like a plow in a field. 4. Mouth TTouch: People who have used this technique say it affects a dog's emotional and plysical states and sharpens its ability to focus and learn. Try this movement on dogs that bark or lick excessively, chew, bite or are hyperactive. The technique also helps dog relax and tolerate dental work and veterinary exams. The Steps: Sit behind your dog and support its muzzle or chim in one hand. Slide your fingers back and forth on the outside and inside of its lips, and make tiny circles on the gums with your fingertips. Work both sides of the mouth, using gentle but steady pressure. For more information, contact: TTeam Training USA, Linda Tellington-Jones, POBox 3793, Santa Fe, NM 8750l, USA or TTEAM@compuserve.com THE ABOVE INFORMATION WAS GIVEN TO US BY ROBSMOM JAN 1/2001 THANK YOU ROBSMOM |
