How to Massage a Dog or Puppy

Many pet owners feel that petting and brushing provide their dog or puppy with adequate attention, but dogs can benefit from touch just as humans do. For a dog, massage can relax, soothe tired and sore muscles, ease pain from surgery or other injuries, gain trust in an owner and allow a bond to form. Massage your dog or puppy to raise a healthy, happy pet.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Spend just five minutes a day massaging your dog from head to toe.
2. Use a very light oil such as baby oil or light sesame oil. Rub about a dime size into your hand and gently rub the dog beginning with its head and ears and ending at its tail. Use slow strokes along the back. Repeat three to four times.
3. Pay special attention to the tail, using a firm squeeze as you slide your hand from its base to tip. Begin with a pause as you squeeze at the base of the tail and maintain your grip all the way to the tip of the tail.
4. Hold your dog's head in your hands, placing your hands on each side along the cheek and beneath the ears. Rock the head gently, side to side. Use your thumb and forefinger to massage the ears on both the inner and outer ear flaps, being careful not to reach into the ear canal.
5. Massage the dog's eyes very lightly using your thumbs to lightly press the eyelids which will then naturally close. Stroke your fingers down the nose, starting between the eyes. Gently pinch your dog's cheeks and lips several times and then stroke the throat and chin.
6. Add more oil to your hands. Rub the dogs armpits, moving to its chest and belly. Some breeds may have sensitive spots that they especially like rubbed in this area. Move on to the legs, stroking the length of the leg down to the feet.
7. Hold each paw for a few seconds, gently squeezing each before releasing it, and moving on to the next.