Making friends #7 - doggie day care centers

“Making friends” (Cont) – Doggie Day Care Centers

Doggie day care centers have come into their own in the past 15 years. What used to be considered a frivolity is now a necessity for many working individuals who love their dogs. A typical daily fee for a suburban doggie day care is $25-$30 and the cities can be twice or three times more. While the goal of a shelter is to get their dogs adopted, the goal of the doggie day care is to provide a safe and enjoyable place for the dog. I approached two doggie day care places and offered to do free massages with full write-ups as a “value-add” for their business. We allowed any of  heir owners to opt out if they did not want to participate but none did. The word started to spread which led to a free evening class to introduce dog massage. This was followed up for a “for pay” series of classes. In both of the places I worked, I formed a class and even gave the doggie day care owner some of the proceeds. I am offering a second round of classes starting in September. In addition, I am becoming part of the fabric of the day care center. Owners can sign up and pay for a massage whenever they wish and we work out the logistics with the intent of having several massages to do at the same time. I always remind myself that I am in the “ambassador and pioneer” phase of this venture and my inner mantra is “let the word go forth.”

31 in 31 - #6 Making friends - no-kill shelters

“Making friends” - How I market my dog massage business to a no-kill shelter

Dog massage has not fully arrived as a viable option for owners who simply wish to provide a wonderful experience for their dog. Nor has it really arrived as a standard veterinary option after surgery or to help reduce stress or to deal with problems of old age. At the Bancroft School where I received my training, we called ourselves “ambassadors and pioneers” for dog massage. I saw our task as getting the word out knowing it would probably take a while. This is different from human massage (even horse massage) both of which have achieved general acceptance in the culture. So my approach has been to affiliate with excellent dog related businesses whose clients would benefit from massage. My first connection was with a large no-kill shelter in my area. I did my internship there with the plan of helping their dogs get adopted more easily. I asked to work with some of their more challenging dogs, either frightened or aggressive, to see if massage would help them settle down. I was fortunate to have good results with some of these dogs which led to people in the shelter wanting to know more about massage. I taught a general session to over 20 volunteers showing them what they could do for the dogs in the shelter. This then led to teaching a four-week (for pay) course going more deeply into what owners can do with their dogs. I gave 25% of what I got back to the shelter. I became part of the shelter team and attended some of their outdoor events. Dog massage is a very good “draw” at a dog fair and brings people over to the table. For my next course which will start in September, the shelter has used their excellent resources to connect with several thousand people telling them about dog massage

HAPPY EARS31 in 31 #5 HAPPY EARS

 HAPPY EARS

Most dog owners know that the ears are a “happy place” for their dogs but what they really appreciate are the specific techniques they can use. Although many approaches are viable, I like to start from the part of the ear closest to the body. Using just one hand glide your hand SLOWLY toward the outside of the ear very gently letting go when you reach the end. Depending on the dog, the ear is usually pressed against the body when you use one hand. Repeat this move 3-5 times. The next step is to use two hands. Put the ear between the palms and make an “ear sandwich” slowing moving from the body to the end of the ear, holding a moment at the end before letting go. Repeat this 3-5 times. Then repeat the whole procedure on the other ear. Done slowly enough, this takes about 5 minutes for both ears. Typically the dog’s breathing slows and so does yours. The next area for massage is directly behind the dog’s ears. There you will a deep depression . If you apply direct pressure and hold it for 10-30 seconds, most dogs will deeply relax. To apply direct pressure (think acupressure), use your thumb at a 90 degree angle and put enough pressure so there is just the beginning of resistance. Then back off a little. Do this one ear at a time placing your other hand on the dog’s head for stability. Repeat with both ears. Next, make circles in both directions one ear at a time. Finally, as a closing move, gently glide along both ears at the same time similar to how you began. Check in with the dog to see how they liked it.

31/ 31 #4 Teaching by regions of the dog's body

TEACHING DOG MASSAGE BY REGIONS OF THE BODY

I have discovered in my teaching that dog owners no almost nothing about their dog’s anatomy. I originally started showing them which muscles connected with what bones, etc. but their eyes glazed over. The strategy that has worked much better is to look at the dog’s body by regions. The four regions I have selected are 1) scapula and back, 2) head and neck 3) hindquarters and 4) legs, belly and sides. I teach a four session basic course at the moment focusing on a major landmark or two in each of these four regions. I find that starting with the scapula has clear and easy results because everyone can pretty well find the scapula and outline it as part of the massage protocol. The dogs generally like this a lot also. Then the owners can see how the muscles connecting to the scapula affect leg extension and retraction and they can both see and feel this as a reality. I even like to get more granular if possible and have them feel the spine of the scapula. Most owners find this interesting as their sensitivity increases. What is even more wonderful is that the dogs tune into this exploration and become interested themselves.” Hmmm, they think, my owner never did this before”.  I also like to show how the longissimus muscle fits into the picture and begin showing the basic massage techniques on that long and wonderful muscle. It gives us a chance to talk about the importance of spine flexion, exercise and general overall dog health. The basic techniques of effleurage (which I call gliding) or petrissage (which I call kneading or perhaps circling) can be practiced very well on this long muscle.

31 posts - #3 - massage at a dogfair booth

I was volunteering at a booth to help raise money for the Gloucester MA dog park and a reported / photographer came by. The first woman came up to me with her terrier and said he does not like men, is impossible to calm down but is a very lovely dog. As is my custom I said "let's see how it goes". After connecting with the dog for just a few minutes, he leaned in against me settled down and gave me a lovely kiss. The woman owner was very surprised. I then proceed to do a gentle massage explaining to the owner what I was doing and what she might try at home. The reported got inspired took lots of photos and decided that dog massage would be her story. The next person who came was a woman who had a mini-dachshund named Pricess Aurora (go figure). She said that Aurora was not in a good mood that day. I invied her to sit on my little cushion with Auroa and that I would do my best. Aurora was immediately receptive. I asked her what part of Aurora is most difficult for her to touch. She immediately said that Aurora won't let her touch her toes. I asked how it goes when cutting her nails and she made a wincing expression. I showed her a technique for the toes and Aurora had each toe on all four feet individually massage, top and bottom, including the webbing between the toes. The reported took the photos and wrote the article which is included in the PRESS link on my website www.skillfulhandsdogmassage.com

31 blogs #2 - "Settling"

Just to be clear, I am working with dogs, not humans and there is a very big difference in massaging dogs and humans. For humans, you simply ask them to settle in, relax, roll over etc. For dogs, and especially dogs I don't know and who have never had a massage, settling in is a big deal. In fact, you could say, it is the gateway to a deeper experience. So my first goal with any dog I massage, even ones I have done before is to see if they will settle. That usually means they will get themselves comfortable either sitting, leaning against me, or best of all lying down comfortably. For an owner to watch this process is usually educational and entertaining, sometimes even magical if their dog finds it difficutl to relax or settle. I like to begin the settling process quietly, hanging out with the dog, letting my own breathing deepen and relax and simply noticing the dog's behavior. Simply things like moving towards me, moving way, soft eyes, general look of the body are all helpful signs and owners like this process very much as they really observe their dogs in detail. I work on the basis that "everything" the dog does is a form of communication and my job is to listen. Depending on the situation, I usually place my hand on the dog's back or scapula and let it rest their a bit to see what happens. At this point, whatever the dog does is furthering our communication. If and when the dog settles, I proceed with the massage.

31 blogs in 31 days

I just received an email challenge to post 31 blogs in 31 days. I have accepted so I can learn more about blogging and also share some of the wonderful things that are going on in my dog massage adventure. The one rule is that the blogs have to be 350 words or less. I am not sure how to do word count in the blog but I will surely learn. For the moment I will approximate 25 words per line so I don't run over. This post will be an overview. I started the dog massage adventure when I began the Bancroft School of Massage, (Worcester, MA) course in April 2011. The course finished in November 2011 and I began my business in January, 2012. So it has been only 8 months since the business started. Including my internship during my Bancroft training, I have done approximately 300 massages in that time. Some were short done at fairs or fund raisers for dog parks or shelters. Others were longer with extensive write-ups done at doggy day cares or shelters and still others were at people's homes. I have also taught 5 one hour seminars and had 5 four-week (once a week) classes with dogs and their owners. In addition, I consistently volunteer at a wonderful shelter called NorthEast Animal Shelter in Salem, MA. They are a large place with room for 100 dogs and 80 cats and are very well run with both satff and volunteers.