White Oak Clinical Canine Massage

18/07/2025

💙 ~ Flynn ~ 💙

This gorgeous ex-racing Greyhound has found his way into the luckiest of homes, with a most fantastic owner/guardian who is invested in Flynn's short & long-term health & happiness.!

Below ⬇️..show before & after treatment photos of Flynn's spine & associated muscles. Notice the difference in softness & straightness through Flynn's back after clinical massage therapy.

✅️ Flynn now enjoys increased mobility, reduced stiffness, and improved comfort levels, being able jump up on his owners bed again, lie down easier, & is much more eager to go out walking for longer.

‼️ Greyhounds that have raced often acrue significant musculoskeletal injuries in their racing careers, which are often ignored or overlooked due to a lack of care or for financial benefit. Greyhounds that make it out alive with a missing toe or two, are considered fortunate.

🚩 Racing places intense demands on a Greyhound's musculoskeletal system, often pushing their bodies to the limit. The high speeds and constant repetative strain that the body is subjected to can lead to injuries such as muscle tears, joint damage, & bone fractures, especially in the limbs & spine.

📌 Over time, the stress of racing can contribute to long term musculoskeletal dysfunction like arthritis, stiffness, & reduced mobility, even after retiring.

📍 While their bodies are built for speed, the physical toll of racing is significant and requires careful management & post care as part of the dog's rehabilitation.

✨️Clinical Canine Massage is a fantastic therapy for ex-racing Greyhound's, as it directly addresses pain & mobility problems caused by muscular & fascial dysfunction, therefore playing a vital role in a rehabilitation, as well as assisting to ease post-anxiety & PTSD, if present ✨️.

17/07/2025

🗨 I have no issues with people asking me who I trained with, how long for, & what it entailed (Natalie Lenton & The Canine Massage Therapy Centre, Two Year Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner Programme, 2+ years). In fact, I welcome it.
✅️ Know who is treating your dog & what experience/training they have.
Don't settle for anything less than a properly trained professional who knows their field of expertise 🐕🤲

As the Director of the Canine Massage Therapy Centre, Founder of the Canine Massage Guild and author of the 2 year Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner Programme as well as a specialist in this field for almost 20 years, I feel compelled to speak out about a growing concern in the industry.

The rise of quick massage courses, often delivered entirely online, is not just watering down standards, it’s putting dogs at risk as well as compromising the vulnerability of owners who are trying to do the right thing for their dog.

Many of the individuals teaching these courses have no real background in massage therapy themselves. Some offer certificates after just a few hours or days of theory, with no hands-on supervision, no case studies, and no assessments of clinical competency. Yet graduates are encouraged to call themselves "canine massage therapists" and can as its an unprotected title.

This means that:
• There are people working on dogs with no real understanding of anatomy, pathology, or safe techniques
• Students are being let loose on vulnerable dogs and owners without ever having been supervised in training or technique competency
• Owners are trusting their beloved dogs to therapists whose only experience may be watching a video
I’ve even come across individuals advertising massage services after just half a day of training or doing a day or 2 days training as part of another course.

This is not just disappointing, it’s dangerous and I am personally disgusted at the fraudsters who deliver these courses and at those who go on to call themselves therapists and dupe owners into thinking they are providing a real service.

At the Canine Massage Therapy Centre, our course takes over two years to complete, with extensive practical training, tutor supervision, and real casework. We also provide online theory lectures, student support sessions and tutorials online and these in no way are a substitute for the real work that happens in the classroom We work to ensure that our graduates that go on to become Canine Massage Guild members are skilled, safe, and accountable because we believe that dogs deserve nothing less.
As a professional, I am deeply distressed at what is happening in this unregulated space, and I believe that dog owners deserve transparency, not marketing fluff from so called ‘therapists’ who can’t recognise or assess for a muscular issue let alone treat one despite their fraudulent claims.

It should be about this point that most would expect I say sorry for this. I’m not sorry. If anything I think its about time I start speaking more about this. I can only be responsible for the therapists I and my team train but at the least its time to start making owners and other canine professionals and vets aware that not all massage courses and therapists have the same training.

I always say I’m a dog owner/guardian first and a professional second, so to all the dog owners out there I urge you to check your therapists credentials, ask how long they trained for, who with and in what disciplines, ask to see their certificate of pass and importantly ask to see their insurance. Don’t just jump in with the first person who says they are a therapist because it may be they are about to take your money and put your dog at risk.
People are now jumping on the canine massage bandwagon, students and so called trainers alike because they think it’s a fast and quick buck. Its not. Its hard work that comes with it a vast amount of responsibility to the dogs, owners, vets and other paraprofessionals we work with and from the side of a trainer, to the students we teach who’s lives we influence.

Time to start calling it out.

Find a real therapist who has trained with in person supervision, taken written and practical exams, has insurance and commits to CPD training by going to visit the Canine Massage Guild professional register.

28/05/2025

A fantastic day at Sherborne Castle Country Fair. I was kept busy, meeting some amazing dogs & their owners.

For me, the importance of attending these shows is to raise awareness on how significant muscles are in relation to our dogs joint health, mobility, happiness, & wellbeing. I love talking with owners about their dog's.

28/05/2025

It's been an incredibly busy six weeks with clients, background projects, shows, & two CPD courses with the Canine Massage Therapy Centre.

Zeus & I were fortunate enough to attend this CPD which covers all aspects of ventral myofascial release work such as the diaphragm & chest area.

We have been back less than a week & already I am seeing great results from canine clients 😀

25/05/2025

✨️Tomorrow is Sherborne Castle Country Fair.

It is a fantastic, well attended show absolutely packed with activities, showing, displays, equine, jousting, rare breeds, funfair, shopping, & dog events.!!

All things dog 🐕 include:
- Dog Agility
- Gundog Tests
- Gundog Scurries
- Dog Show
- Canine Muscular Health Assessments - please come over to my gazebo for a chat.
- & Lots of Bespoke Dog Shopping Stands

You will find us in the 'Dog Area' of the show (near the lake).

A great day out for your dog & family.

01/05/2025

How hot is too hot for your dog..!!

Especially in a country where heatwaves are often sudden and therefore do not allow dogs to gradually acclimatise to the sun and heat.

I am a huge believer in 'no dog ever died from missing a walk, but hundreds have died from being walked or being in a car that isn't adequately cooled beforehand or whilst the dog is in the car'.

Heatstroke can come on very quickly, and can have devastating consequences. All may be fine one minute, and the next, your dog is showing signs of heatstroke.

Below I have added photos as useful information on temperature guides, symptoms, and risks for our dogs, but I go one step further and say KNOW YOUR DOG, OBSERVE & LISTEN. Do what's right for YOUR dog..!!

I have a large breed black and tan dog that really struggles in hot summer sun. Although he has no underlying health conditions, I personally will not walk him in 20 degree and above temperatures. He is shortcoated, he is also predominently black, which can cause further heat absorption. He will seek the sun in the garden and given the chance, will fry himself in it. It is MY responsibility to manage his time outside, and to keep him safe and comfortable.

How You Can Help Your Dog In a Heatwave.....

*Constant access to fresh, cool water is a must.

*Pup cups and small amounts of ice cubes in water bowls are great for cooling your dogs inner core.

*Although we are guided by hottest temperatures being between 10am and 3pm, this doesn't mean it's ok for our dogs to be out, walked, or in the car outside of these times. I often find by 8am it is becoming too hot for my dog to cope.

*Stay local and don't walk too far from home. When starting out on a walk it may appear fine but half an hour in, it has become increasingly hotter. You then have to deal with getting your dog home safely without getting heatstroke. I have had personal experience with this one many years ago and it really frightened me.

*Carry water. Not only as an obvious drinking source but also can be used to temporarily cool the ears, head and belly if your dog gets too hot.

*Tarmac, Patio Tiles, Decking, Concrete and Pavement Temperatures get extremely hot 🔥, increasing likelihood of heatstroke and burnt pads. Check temperatures with the back of your hand or taking your shoes off and walking on the surface yourself beforehand.

*Limit your dogs exposure to the sun. If, like mine, they are sunworshippers, bring them in to cool down often, and consider not allowing them out in the garden if it is really hot outside.

*A BIG ONE....Don't let guilt rule your decisions. Yes, they may beg you to go out for a walk but if you are already debating that it is too hot, you are probably right. Know that you are making these decisions based on your dogs health as a responsible owner and be proud of that..!!

*If your dog absolutely has to travel in a car for vet appointment etc... run the air-conditioning in your car first to cool the car down before your dog gets in. Keep the air-conditioning on whilst travelling and don't leave your dog in the car unattended or without air-conditioning. Cars heat very quickly. Also use shade blinds in rear and side windows to block direct sunlight on your dog.

*Consider keeping curtains and windows closed, using aircon, fans, cooling mats, cooling coats, or a wet and wringed out towel to help your dog cope with indoor heat. Dog pools are great for gardens if your dog likes water.

*Short/flat nosed breeds, senior dogs, long haired dogs, and overweight dogs are particularly susceptible to heatstroke so particular attention and care should be taken.

*Consider keeping your dog mentally stimulated by hiding treats around the house, using licky mats/treat games, and doing short training sessions instead of going out. Moderate dinner portions to accommodate any extra treats.

*LISTEN to your dog. If they are not looking to go for a walk or to be outside when they usually are...respect that. If they want to be left alone or sleep..respect that.

*OBSERVE your dog. Know the signs of heatstroke.

*Contact your vet IMMEDIATELY if you believe your dog has heatstroke.

17/04/2025

Absolutely true.!! 😅 Although I'm sure this sentiment can be applied to other breeds also 🦖🦖

10/04/2025

Muscle Spasm in Dogs

10/04/2025

10/04/2025

We are continuing our research into hypermobility in dogs, and still need your help.

This interesting presentation is well recognised in people, but we are still lacking good research in dogs, despite increasing feeling that we are seeing it more and more - particularly in sporting dogs!

Assessment is completely non-invasive and all interested parties will have the chance to discuss it with the us before agreeing to take part. We will be attending the Blackdown Agility event on Saturday 10th May, so come and find us out our trade stand. We welcome any questions either beforehand or on the day.

09/04/2025

Wonderful 2nd therapy appointment with this beautiful, retired flyball & agility star ⭐️.

💖 And fantastic feedback from his owner who, after just one session, states that prior stiffness has NOT returned, allowing this boy to participate in & enjoy daily walks again.

💬☎️📧 Please feel free to get in touch if you want to learn how clinical massage can help alleviate symptoms of stiffness in your dog, & it's associated levels of discomfort or pain.