Canine Massage & Stretching - A Dog Owners Manual
by Jorn Olebys

Many dog owners invest considerable time in activating their dogs by 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. Others, such as the police and security guards, use dogs at work. We expect these dogs to have a well-developed physique to be able to perform the work they are trained to do. A lot of time and money is spent on training a clever and efficient dog. There is considerable research and many opinions on the topics of what food and exercise is best for our dogs. We all have the animals’ best at heart. Good care and healthy food is thought to be essential.

No matter how well we take care of our dogs, disease and injuries do still occur. If the injury is related to the muscles, tendons, joints or ligaments a vet or physiotherapist can help. If there is a defect in the hip or elbow joints and in cases caused by unhealthy breeding, the only treatment available is pain relief. As dog owners there is nothing we can do to repair problems related to unhealthy breeding nor can we prevent all accidents. However we can prevent muscle related problems and strain injuries by massaging and stretching our dogs regularly. This keeps the dog well-balanced physically and psychologically, allowing it to retain the agility of the young dog to an advanced age.

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 ecreased
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 is something that we ourselves and our dogs can suffer from if we don’t take care of our physical condition. Another illnes that might reduce our dogs mobility is Arthrosis, and is usually formed of 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 Arthrosis due to genetic reasons, injuries or the combination of overweight and too little exercise. A common symptom of Arthrosis 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 Arthrosis 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 techiques:

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 exellent way of letting your dog winding 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 race horse 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.

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.
Below you can find a check list that might come in handy when warming up. 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 check list that could be used before a competition or active session:

• Let the dog walk slowly for a while and then increase the tempo for 2-3 minutes.
• Let the dog trott for 2-3 minutes.
• Let the dog gallop for one minute.
• Then let the dog make some short explosive moves.
• Let the dog wind down a little by going back to trotting and then walking.

Warming up does not tire the dog but rather increases blood circulation and warm 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.

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 come home reward the dog with massage and you will get a happy peforming 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 dogs life.

This article is an excrept from the book ”Canine Massage and Stretching – A Dog Owners
Manual" by Jörn Oleby. You can find the book at these places:
Europe: www.clarksonpublishing.com
UK: www.amazon.co.uk
USA: www.puplife.com