A healthy dog is a massaged dog.

• Does your dog show signs of aggression?
• Does your dog show signs of fear or nervousness?
• Is the stride of your dog uneven?
• Is your dog inattentive to commands and/or unable to respond when socializing with others?
• Does your dog lack equal flexibility on both sides of its body?
• Does your dog avoid sitting squarely?
• At the end of work or play, does your dog show signs of stiffness?
• Is your dog reluctant to transfer from a carpeted surface to hardwood floors or tiles?
• After exercise does your dog ever hold one leg up high for a moment?
• Does your dog always take stairs quickly just to get the job done?

If your answer is yes to any of the above, why not treat your best friend to a massage?

There are many benefits for your dog, including:

• Improved blood circulation
• Reduced stress and tension in the muscles
• Increased range of motion
• Relaxation of muscle spasms
• Improved energy level
• More vibrant coat
• Helps to mobilize and remove toxins
• An overall stress reducer for both you and your dog

The frequency is up to you. Every dog can benefit from massage therapy. It works well as preventive medicine. Here are some thoughts on times when massage can be particularly beneficial:

Is your dog suffering from pain or stiffness? A tight muscle; scar tissue built up from a previous injury; toxins and waste products not properly flushed from the body can all cause discomfort. By massaging the muscles and tissues we relax them enough to allow the blood to flow freely and do its job.

Is your dog a show dog? If so, massage can be used to warm up, or cool down for competitions, helping to minimize the risk of injury when dogs are asked to perform things their body may not be ready to do.