Benefits of massage

Dogs benefit from massage in just the same way that their owners do. It’s ideal for easing muscular pain and resolving soft tissue injuries which, left unresolved, can lead to harder to treat problems that can often make your dog old before their time.

Why your dog may need Clinical Canine Massage

Muscular injuries aren’t always obvious, but if your dog ‘doesn’t seem right’ and displays any of the symptoms listed in the 5 Principles of Pain, then it could be time to ‘ask an expert’.

Canine Massage Guild therapists train for 2 years on the Canine Massage Therapy Centre’s highly respected Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner Programme which is externally accredited by LANTRA.

Guild therapists utilise 4 massage disciplines: Swedish, Sports, Deep Tissue and Myofascial Release. Most significantly they are trained in the unique Lenton Method™ of canine massage therapy, currently the subject of clinical trials with both Winchester University and University Centre Sparsholt. These therapies have helped thousands of dogs across the world experience positive changes within just 1-3 sessions.

Upon veterinary consent or referral, dogs are taken for clinical canine massage for many reasons including

  • Pain management for arthritis, hip/elbow dysplasia, spondylosis, luxating patella
  • Rehabilitation of muscular injuries such as lameness, stiffness or struggling with normal activities of daily living
  • Performance, gait, and posture issues in sporting and showing dogs
  • Addressing and resolving symptoms listed in the 5 Principles of Pain

However, your dog doesn’t have to be injured to benefit from clinical canine massage with a Canine Massage Guild therapist. For example, it can help to

  • Maintain and improve quality of life and mobility in older dogs
  • Improve exercise duration and frequency so your dog can enjoy longer walks
  • Improve and maintain mobility and acitvity levels
  • Keep sporting dogs – agility, flyball, hoopers, cani-cross and so on – at the top of their game…
  • … and even help dogs with anxiety, nervous behaviour and/or depression.

Is your dog showing any of these common signs of musculo-skeletal discomfort?

  • Stiffness
  • Soreness
  • Unable to go up/down stairs
  • Unable to get in/out of car
  • Mobility issues
  • Lost their ‘sparkle’
  • Depression
  • Posture changes
  • Coat changes
  • Uneven nail wear
  • Skin twitches
  • Old before their time
  • Unwilling to go for walks
  • Back/neck/hip issues
  • Agility performance issues, e.g., pole knocking, measuring

See our 5 Principles of Pain for a more details.

Benefits of massage combo

20 Benefits of Clinical Canine Massage Therapy

Clinical canine massage with a Canine Massage Guild therapist can benefit your dog in many ways, including

# 1

Improves joint functionality, health and range of movement.

#2

Breaks the muscular pain cycle associated with arthritis, hip/elbow dysplasia and similar conditions.

#3

Performance enhancement and injury rehab for sporting dogs.

#4

Improvements across the
5 Principles of Pain.

#5

Relieves pain, soreness and stiffness.

#6

Restores post-injury muscle strength and function.

#7

Increases senior dogs’ comfort levels and mobility.

#8

Improves disposition and mood.

#9

Reduces pain-induced stress and anxiety.

#10

Increases vitality and energy.

#11

Reduces inflammation.

#12

Addresses muscular overcompensation.

#13

Improves sleep patterns and rest.

#14

Addresses back, neck, shoulder and hip issues.

#15

Prehab – treatment before surgery to assess current muscular/myofascial stress.

#16

Rehab – as part of your dog’s recovery and pain management programme after surgery such as TPLO or IVDD.

#17

Useful muscular evaluation for your puppy or young dog.

#18

Improves touch awareness and acceptance for petting, grooming or vet visits.

#19

Works either as a standalone therapy or alongside others like hydro and acupuncture as part of pain management programmes.

#20

Improves proprioception, stability and strength by addressing fascial dysfunction.

As a senior dog who likes an active lifestyle (at nearly 14, she still does a bit of agility training) Shevi, our Border Terrier, loves her Clinical Canine Massage sessions. Most recently, massage has helped her overcome severe anxiety brought on by suddenly losing most of her hearing. Thank you for your support. #agilitydog #olderdog #deafdog #borderterrier

Shevi, Border Terrier, Senior Dog, Agility Pam Hillier, Somerset
Shevi, Border Terrier, Senior Dog, Agility

My Woolly Husky, Ice, is almost 10 and had started to ‘creak’ a bit. Clinical Canine Massage has improved his mobility and Ice really loves his treatments. Highly recommended. #slowingdown #olderdog

Ice, Husky, Slowing Down, Older Dog Sandra Mellule, Riviera
Ice, Husky, Slowing Down, Older Dog

My 12 year Collie cross,Tilly, had bilateral TPLO surgery. Clinical Canine Massage helped with recovery from this as well as the aches and pains that come with being an older dog. I’m so happy to see Tilly enjoying the therapeutic benefits that come from Clinical Canine Massage. #TPLO/#Cruciate ligament surgery #collie #seniordogs

Tilly, Collie, TPLO Surgery, Older Dog 
Tilly, Collie, TPLO Surgery, Older Dog

My 6 year old Norwegian Elkhound had not been able to sit straight for months. He started to sit lopsided. After one session of Clinical Canine Massage there was visible improvement. By the third session he was sitting straight again. This was about a year ago and I am delighted to say he has not experienced the problem again. I highly recommend that anyone take their dog to see a Guild Therapist. #elkhound #muscularinjury

Elkhound, Muscular Injury Christine, Suffolk
Elkhound, Muscular Injury

Our young working cocker was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. He was already being treated with hydrotherapy and we have found that the massage therapy has really helped keeping him mobile and therefore enjoying a great quality of life.

Young Working Cocker, Hip Dysplasia Sue Brown, Hampshire
Young Working Cocker, Hip Dysplasia

May, our Border Collie started having Clinical Canine Massage Therapy when she was diagnosed with spondylosis at 13-years-old. She now has regular sessions which have helped her enormously and kept her mobile. #spondylosis #bordercollie

May, Border Collie, Spondylosis Maryon Gardner, Cornwall
May, Border Collie, Spondylosis

The work our Guild therapist has done with Etta is amazing. I highly recommend anyone whose pet is ailing from an injury, to get in touch with their local Guild Therapist to try Clinical Canine Massage. It doesn’t matter if it’s a show dog or a pet, they are our babies and deserve the best of care. #postinjury

Etta, Muscle Injury 
Etta, Muscle Injury

Barney has both elbow and hip dysplasia along with arthritis. He’s a typical spaniel but massage helps every time and calms him to the point of sleeping. The monthly massages have really benefited Barney.

Barney 5 years, Spaniel, Elbow Dysplasia, Hip Dysplasia, Arthritis Michelle Richards, Cornwall
Barney 5 years, Spaniel, Elbow Dysplasia, Hip Dysplasia, Arthritis

For me, canine massage is essential for keeping my dogs fit and healthy. My Massage Therapists knowledge, understanding and approach ensures my dogs are happy throughout the massage and afterwards!

Mo, Malu, Isaac, Maintenance Sarah
Mo, Malu, Isaac, Maintenance

Boston Terrier, Flyball sports dog, benefits of canine massageDilys is our 3 year old Boston Terrier. Clinical Canine Massage has kept Dilys in great shape for flyball. It has massively reduced the everyday niggles and progressive injuries she would have without it.

Dilys, Boston Terrier, Flyball Ellen, Andover
Dilys, Boston Terrier, Flyball

Clinical Canine Massage - discover the difference it can make to your dog!

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