Introducing Canine Massage workshop at Paws, Play & Stay Dog Hotel and Day Care, Rustington

Setting up the room at the start

We had a wonderful day teaching a full house of owners how to massage their own dogs.

The day started with some interactive fun where everyone was given a set of muscles to stick on themselves and then to stick on their dogs.  As we have found before this is a good icebreaker and really gets people thinking about where muscles are and what they do.  It also means that as the session progresses they are aware of which muscles they are actually working on.

Everyone wearing their muscles

We had lots of ideas on when owners thought massage would be useful for their dogs and when you should not perform a massage.

We took everyone through eight different techniques which they were able to put into a routine. 

Skin rolling time

The lovely Finn having a massage from Sophie

Gracie centre stage

Gracie in the middle

Leo and Gary

Brandie and Dawn

Everyone putting the routine together

Gracie's face says it all

We included demonstrations of a few passive movements and active stretches (which involve cheesey bribes) and then made sure everyone could put the routine together.

More pictures can be seen from our Facebook page where we have also received some feedback and even a video.

"I thoroughly enjoyed learning eight different massage techniques and Brandie responded well to helping me learn what she liked and when she'd had enough of a particular move. Les explained how massage can support dogs in many ways including behaviour, fear and relaxation as well as the physical benefits and also how it can improve the bond between dogs and owners. I liked that Les made it clear that we need to observe our dogs to take our cues from them as to whether to massage, when to stop and when our dogs are preferring certain moves.  Brandie really benefitted from the workshop, she was very sleepy for the rest of the day and was snoring her head off from the minute we got back in the door for several hours, she woke up for her dinner and then slept solidly for the rest of the evening"

"Thank you for the massage course yesterday, I think we all enjoyed it, Skye and I certainly did! She keeps coming over to me to ask for more. I look forward to your next course, I might try our other dog next time!" 

"Thank you for such an informative and fun session. I learnt so much and will certainly put it all into practice. Gracie certainly enjoyed it, especially the cheese"