• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
dogwheelchairlife_logo

Dog Wheelchair Life

Teaching people to care for a paralyzed dog

  • Home
  • Resource Page
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Resource Page
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • IVDD
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Other Spine Problems
  • Daily Care
  • Resources
  • Amazon Favorites
  • IVDD
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Other Spine Problems
  • Daily Care
  • Resources
  • Amazon Favorites
Dog relaxing on massage table, on light background

5 Proven Dog Massage Techniques To Do At Home

Home » Blog » 5 Proven Dog Massage Techniques To Do At Home
November 11, 2020 by Sharon Seltzer
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Bailey’s first massage
  • Why massage works so well
  • The benefits of massage
  • The basic techniques of dog massage+−
    • Never force a dog
    • Start with a light massage
    • The lying down gentle massage
  • Basic hand techniques+−
    • The 4 hand movements to you should know:
    • Here's more information about the topics in this post:
Dog relaxing on massage table, on light background

Dog massage is a growing field, but you don’t have to be a professional to give a therapeutic massage to your dog at home. The techniques and the theory behind dog massage are easy to learn.

It’s a therapy that improves musculoskeletal problems, lessens anxiety and has a real impact on your pet’s quality of life, especially if you have a disabled or senior canine.

This post contains some affiliate links. Read more in my privacy statement.

Bailey’s first massage

Dog getting a massage.
Bailey getting a massage.

When my dog Bailey was a puppy, I saw the effect of massage, first hand.  At the time, a physical therapist was coming to our home to help my husband after an injury. When the session ended, she offered to give Bailey her own personal massage as a reward for being “good” during the treatment.

She began by rubbing the back of Bailey’s neck. It instantly calmed her down and after a minute her hind legs buckled out of under her in complete relaxation.

Bailey loved the massage and it made me a believer in the power of this therapy. Plus, it showed me the deep connection massage can have on the human-animal bond.

Becky, the physical therapist, still comes to our house when my husband’s back is bad and to this day, Bailey is her devoted friend.

Why massage works so well

Jody Chiquoine and Linda Jackson are the authors of the book, A Dog Lover’s Guide to Canine Massage. Their book talks about the importance of touch in a dog’s life and calls massage and the “laying on of hands” the oldest form of medicine known to mankind.

The authors point out that for many years pet professionals, like veterinarians, groomers and dog trainers, were the largest group to use massage to improve the health of their patients.

The benefits of massage

Dog getting a massage

Massage is comforting – Dogs with health problems don’t feel well physically and are stressed. Pet owners who use massage to soothe their dog, see them unwind and relax. The physical touch of your hands reduces anxiety.

Dog massage jumpstarts natural healing – Gently massaging sore muscles and joints improves the circulation to an injured area. It brings more oxygen to the tissues and allows the natural healing process in the body to kick-in.

Post-operative massage removes toxins – Doing a light massage after surgery enhances a dog’s overall health by pushing toxins, like those from anesthesia, out of the body.

Massage improves how tissues and organs work – The way a dog digests food, absorbs nutrients, and how well their tissues and organs work all benefit with regular rubdowns.

Canine massage increases muscle function – Muscles and tendons become more flexible when they’re massaged. Range of motion improves and muscle spasms decrease.

Dog massage reduces pain and joint discomfort – Dogs with a range of pain problems stemming from surgery, arthritis, hip dysplasia, spine disease and more get relief from regular massage.

Massage increases bonding – The act of touching your dog increases the physical and emotional bond they have with you.

The basic techniques of dog massage

Pet owner massaging on her dog
Depositphotos

Note: Please be sure to check with your dog’s vet before starting any of these exercises.

Never force a dog

Another note to make to yourself is to never force a dog to take part in a massage session, especially if they’re in pain or sick. Some dogs show signs of distress by walking away, backing into the corner of a room or acting aggressively. If any of these signs occur with your pet, walk away and try again later. Dog massage is meant to be a good experience.

Start with a light massage

There are two techniques I like for a light massage. The first one is called T-Touch®.

T-Touch was developed by Linda Tellington-Jones, PhD in 1983. It uses gentle circular motions with your fingers and hands, called Friction, as you massage from your dog’s head to their toes.

Start with your dog’s head and face by stroking and rubbing the forehead and moving down to the ears. Then rub each ear with the thumb on the inner ear and gently circling with your fingers until you come to the tip. Dogs find this very soothing.

Repeat the circular movements on the neck back and all the way down your dog’s body.

The lying down gentle massage

Help your dog lie on one side. Then softly massage each major muscle group. Start at the shoulders, then go to the front limbs and slowly move down to the hind end and rear legs.

Keep in mind, this isn’t a deep tissue massage. It’s a slow gentle rub down. Once you’ve finished a side, help your dog roll to the opposite side and repeat the process.

The 4 massage techniques you should know

Once your dog is comfortable with the T-Touch circular movements of the light lying down massage, you can add other hand movements.

Basic hand techniques

Veterinary examination

The 4 hand movements to you should know:

  • Stroking – This is done with the palm of the hand moving from your dog’s head to the tail or from the shoulder or hip down to toe. Use both hands with even pressure as you work your way over your dog’s body.
  • Effleurage – This movement goes in the opposite direction of stroking. Effleurage works from the toes up to the body.
  • Percussion – Using cupped hands, lightly tap up and down your dog’s body.
  • Friction – The gentle circular movement of your hands and fingers over each muscle group.

You can use any combination of these hand movements as long as your dog tolerates them. Massage sessions do not have to be long. Gauge them to your schedule and how well your dog reacts.

The goal of dog massage is to do it often. That way you learn the characteristics of your pet’s body and how each part feels and changes. It will give you a wealth of information about their health.

Here’s more information about the topics in this post:

9 Dog Physical Therapy Exercises You Can Do At Home

10 Habits That Will Keep Your Dog Healthy and Add Years To Their Life

Intervertebral Disc Disease: Understanding The Condition

Dog Wheelchair LIFE Amazon Shop
Click here to see the shop.

About Sharon Seltzer

I’m a blogger, professional writer and co-founder of the Heaven Can Wait Animal Society. I’m also a pet mom who’s raised 9 dogs, 6 cats and lots of other critters. When my dog Sophie became paralyzed in 2008, it was a lonely experience. It took months to find all of the resources to help her live a quality life. My mission is to share those services with other pet owners and to teach people how to care for a disabled dog.

You May Also Like

Support group chart

The Power of Support Groups for Pet Owners

Dog in pink washable dog diaper

How to Get Rid of Smelly Washable Dog Diaper Odors

Jasper the Miniature Schnauzer and his pet mom Jacqui

The Changing Station: Device to Help Paralyzed Dogs Stand

German shepherd dog

How to Spot Signs That Your Dog is in Pain

Previous Post:Depositphotos_talking-to-dog[1]Treatments and Rehab Products for Disabled Dogs Invented by Pet Moms
Next Post:Help When You Can’t Afford Your Dog’s Vet BillHelp with high veterinary bills

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sidebar

Sophie-on-grass
Join Our Newsletter and Receive the Essential Guide of Products For Handicapped Dogs

Essential Guide of Products
Click Here for the E-Book

Walkabout Harnesses – Mobility Products For Dogs
My favorite harnesses for disabled dogs.
My favorite harnesses for disabled dogs.

HandicappedPets.com
walkin-all-pet-products[1]

Must-Read Articles
German shepherds are prone to Degenerative Myelopathy

Degenerative Myelopathy in Dogs: What Pet Owners Should Know

Josie the dog doing physical therapy

9 Dog Physical Therapy Exercises You Can Do At Home

Longhair dachshund with IVDD

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in Dogs: Understanding the Condition


Barkertime Products for Incontinent Dogs
Barkertime-collage

Recent Posts

  • My Dog Was Diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy
  • The Power of Support Groups for Pet Owners
  • How to Get Rid of Smelly Washable Dog Diaper Odors
  • The Changing Station: Device to Help Paralyzed Dogs Stand
  • How to Spot Signs That Your Dog is in Pain

Recent Comments

  • Kim R on Spinal Walking in Dogs with Paralysis: What You Need to Know
  • Sharon Seltzer on Two Clinical Trials for Dogs with IVDD and Incontinence
  • Deanna on Two Clinical Trials for Dogs with IVDD and Incontinence
  • Sharon Seltzer on Organizations That Donate Dog Wheelchairs to Pet Families
  • Donna M Stroh on Organizations That Donate Dog Wheelchairs to Pet Families

Archives

  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020

Categories

  • Daily Care
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • IVDD
  • Other Spine Problems
  • Resources

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure

DogWheelchairLife.com is a blog that teaches pet families how to care for their paralyzed dog. As the owner, I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and the Amazon Influencer Program. These are affiliate programs designed for sites to earn advertising fees (commissions) by linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate and Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, visit the Affiliate Disclosure page

We Are A Resource for Pet Owners

Dog Wheelchair LIFE teaches pet families how to care for their paralyzed dog. This is not a medical site and I am not a veterinarian. I am a blogger and pet mom who was the caretaker for Sophie, a paraplegic dog. I’m also a co-founder of the Heaven Can Wait Animal Society in Las Vegas, NV and an animal writer who has contributed to websites and magazines.

The information shared on this site is based on my personal experience and the research I do for each story. Please do not use the content from this blog in place of professional veterinary care.

Articles from this site may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from me, Sharon Seltzer.

Join Our List

  • Legal/Privacy
  • About
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2023 · Dog Wheelchair Life · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Mai Solution

Close Popup

Join our newsletter and get my free e-book

Essential Guide of Products For Handicapped Dogs!