The Canine Friend Clinical Massage Therapy

07/06/2023

The beautiful Grace had her maintenance massage this week. 🐾

06/06/2023

03/06/2023

I went to see little sweetheart Quad today for her maintenance massage. Quad competes in agility and has her treatments to keep her in top form.
Today we concentrated mostly on the release of the thoracolumbar fascia as she was showing signs of discomfort in this area. Here she is relaxing into her treatment and enjoying a post-massage snooze. 🐾 💜

22/05/2023

When you find a den 🐾

22/05/2023

Out and about with Stan in the Peaks 🌲

19/05/2023

Some angels come with wings. Some angels come with fur.... Me and Lyra stop for a moment to give gratitude to each other, to all the dogs who bring joy each day and especially to those dogs who have passed that changed our lives forever.

28/04/2023

Dogs all over England are smiling today. As of Feb 1st 2024 remote electric (shock) collars will be banned in England. Thank you to everyone who campaigned for 10 years to get this done! The dogs thank you!
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media-centre/2023/april/cruel-electric-shock-collars-banned-in-england/

04/04/2023

Day 3 of Pet First Aid Awareness Month.

This post is going to be about a potential injury that can happen occasionally, especially to active dogs, working dogs, gun dogs etc.

If a dog lands on a fence post or a sharp broken branch they can damage the Brachial artery which is runs through the armpit. Like humans, it's a difficult place to tourniquet so the best action is to apply pressure immediately using your fist, hands, fingers etc

As the photograph shows, a tennis ball is a great object to use to help reduce blood loss. If a ball is squeezed in the armpit, it compresses the brachial artery, stopping the blood flow. Jam it in the armpit and keep it there hard as possible until you get to the Vets. It may just reduce blood loss enough for the dog to recover.

This is an injury I have had experience with working in Veterinary Practice

https://www.facebook.com/RachelBeanVetNurse/

15/07/2022

Pre-heatstroke signs. The red flags your dog is beginning to struggle:

I'm not going to tell you what the signs of heatstroke are, you've been rammed with those. And that's too late really.

Shared from fellow dog trainer Kate Bond, Good as Golden dog training

Pre-heatstroke signs are...

🥵 ❌ WALK REFUSAL

Stopping is a choice and it is communication. Listen to your dog and pay attention to the context the behaviour is occurring. If they're stopping more than once on a walk on a warm day, consider if it's time to head on home.

🥵 👅 SPATULATE TONGUE

The tongue becomes elongated and wider at the bottom and may curl up (kinda like the big dipper), wrinkles may be visible in the tongue. Spatulate tongue occurs particularly when a dog is stressed, but may also occur if the dog is overheated and panting heavily to cool down his whole body. Look at the whole context & all of your dogs body language for a clear picture.

🥵 🎾 RELUCTANT TO PLAY

If your ball obsessed pooch suddenly decides to run off and lie down with the ball, that's a big clue they're possibly not up for a run in the heat. If you keep throwing, they'll probably keep chasing despite this, so it's best to take heed of this one.

🥵 😮‍💨 EXCESSIVE SHALLOW PANTING

Dogs cool off by panting, though rapid fire excessive panting (especially if paired with spatulate tongue) is a sign something is very wrong for your dog. Find shade, offer water, head home & monitor your dog.

🥵 🏖 LYING DOWN IN SHADE

Dogs are smart and will find ways to help themselves out when required. If your dog is choosing shade, that behaviour has a function and a purpose. Take note and make adjustments for them.

🥵 🙉 DISENGAGING FROM YOU ("STUBBORN"?)

If your dog is suddenly ignoring all of your known cues, turning their head away as you call them while they're lying in shade, or trying to pretend you're invisible when you're trying to engage them in another round of fetch - consider the message. They are not stubborn. Disengagement is communication and one of very few ways they have to tell you they're not comfortable with your request.

🥵 🐌 SLOWING DOWN

If your pooch starts moving like a land snail, don't tug them along. Consider the function and purpose of the behaviour, take a break, offer shade and a drink and look for other early signs they're struggling. Consider calling it a day and heading home.

These signs all come before the more serious signs. We know how dangerous heat stroke can be, you don't need me to reiterate that. Keep 'em cool, keep 'em safe.

03/07/2022

08/05/2022

Agility dog and beautiful black Labrador Jess at her maintenance massage treatment. Jess has been somewhat accident prone and unfortunately injured herself not too long ago, i have been treating her and her owners reported a big difference in her comfort levels after the last treatment. This is why I do this job!
It’s an absolute honour to be able to help each and every dog that I have. I’m very blessed to be able to do this and I never forget it. 💜

29/04/2022

Canine athlete Abbie taking some time out for a maintenance massage. It’s been a while since I have seen her with all of the goings on, but it was as if no time had passed at all. She was eager to get on the table for her treatment and had some well earned relaxation time , as well as showing her sister what it’s all about. 💫

31/01/2022

So proud to be part of the Canine Massage Guild!

27/01/2022

I have written recently about how pain can affect behaviour and why a veterinary referral is crucial when dealing with behaviour problems.

It is saddening to read that Graham Hall of the 'hit' show Dogs Behaving Badly totally overlooked the basic welfare of a dog he was working with, but also that Channel 5 and all associated with this program did too.

I don't watch the show because I would rather pluck out all of my eyelashes one at a time, but having looked into the stories it is clear that a dog who very likely needs veterinary support, including pain management, was not behaving 'badly'.
Refusal to move off a sofa, reluctance to walk on slippery floors, unwillingness to go for a walk or stopping on walks can all be motivated by various different things.
'Stubborness' is not a behavioural diagnosis.

In this dog's instance, refusal was simply and sensibly likely to avoid feeling pain.

How ignorant does someone have to be to label a dog as a 'madam', a 'diva' and describing her as 'thinking she's in charge' when the dog in question is not only showing behavioural and physical signs of pain, but is at an age where pain should absolutely be a main differential to investigate (8 years old).

Of course, if Graham Hall was accreditted or qualified, he'd know that. But he's neither. This pseudo expert spouts out of date 'training' advice that likely influences many owners who understandably consider something aired on mainstream TV as authentic. They may mirror these methods to tackle behaviour problems in their dogs and the consequences of trying could be dangerous for dogs and humans alike.

How can we stop it? Well, signing this petition may be a start! But you can also do the following:

- Don't watch the program
- Write to C5 and express your concerns
- Complain via Ofcom
- Spread the word about using accreditted and qualified training and behaviour professionals. The ABTC register is the easiest place to send peopple to for professionals that meet a standard of practise and knowledge.
- Spread the word about the veterinary referral process.
- State as default to anyone asking online about a behaviour problem 'first and foremost, you need to go to your vet for a vet check'.

You may or may not realise that I'm an expert sports physiotherapist. I mean, I'm not qualified in it or anything, but I think I am an expert in it, because I like sports and participate in them quite a lot and have done for years. Saying it out loud a lot and persuading people counts as being an expert, right?

Anyone can say they're an expert.

Remember folks, talking the talk while wearing a tweed jacket or waistcoat does not make someone an expert dog trainer.

Sign the petition here:

https://chng.it/j7bBqhjjKG

11/11/2021

25/06/2021

Clinical canine massage significantly reduces pain severity in dogs, study by University of Wi******er finds Findings have been published in Vet Record, the official journal of the BVA by Veterinary Practice 21 June 2021, at 9:00am The findings from the first ever large-scale study into the efficacy...

22/06/2021

“As a vet I’m really proud to be part of the Guild at this exciting time. I have seen first hand how Clinical Massage definitely benefits my clients & the Clinical Trials can only reinforce this.” Marcelle Cassar, BVSC, MRCVS.

Our Guild Veterinary Technical Advisor sees the benefits in her clients every day.

Published in ‘Vet Record’ Medical Journal, British Veterinary Association. This study shows that 95% of the dogs responded to treatment.

Click this Link to be taken to the research: https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/vetr.586

What are you waiting for? Find your local therapist online today www.k9-massageguild.co.uk For results you can see and your dog can feel!

Vets can visit our dedicated Vet Zone and download a full educational brochure through our Integrated Veterinary Care Initiative https://www.k9-massageguild.co.uk/veterinary-information-zone

18/06/2021

Well would you look at this! Absolutely amazing research and I’m so proud to be a Canine Massage Canine Massage Guild member. Share far and wide and let’s help as many dogs as we can!

Background Clinical canine massage involves muscle tissue manipulation and fascial release techniques to rehabilitate injured soft tissues. Quantitative efficacy data are lacking. This cross-section...

05/05/2021

I’ll be updating my Canine First Aid & Well-being knowledge with the wonderful Rachel Bean. Highly recommend this course to all dog owners and professionals!

This course is for everyone, Dog Owners, Dog Walkers, Dog Daycare staff, Dog Groomers, Home Boarders, Dog Trainers, Kennel Staff, Behaviourists

03/03/2021

Whilst I think that Samuel L Jacksons advice of 'goin' medieval on their asses' is more appropriate than a whistle , still a nice awareness raiser as it seems this dog theft is becoming more common.

I also thought the 'identifier' was homemade Mace.

And that the leash was a garotte

Maybe we should make our own poster of suggestions of what do when a dog thief is caught, now that would be an interesting infographic.

Show no mercy.

19/01/2021

Repeat after me. Muzzled dogs are NOT BAD DOGS.

Muzzled dogs have good humans.

Muzzled dogs can have more experiences because they are managed. Their quality of life is INCREASED because of the muzzle.

Muzzled dogs can still have treats.

Muzzled dogs are not miserable.

Muzzled dogs are muzzled for ALL KINDS OF REASONS. Not just aggression. Maybe they eat too much stuff off the ground and get sick. Maybe they play too rough. Maybe they over correct when startled. Maybe they want to eat squirrels. Maybe they need to learn better social skills. Not all dogs in a muzzle have a bite history, some have them on to prevent that in the first place. Sometimes the muzzle is more for the HUMAN than the DOG because it allows them to feel more confident. Big dogs, small dogs, and all breeds and sizes need muzzles sometimes. It is not a breed specific tool.

Muzzled dogs are GOOD DOGS WITH GREAT HUMANS who are setting their dog up to not fail. Judging a dog in a muzzle and their owner is the same as judging someone for wearing a helmet. They are choosing safety and being proactive and it takes WORK to get your dog to a level that they are happily working and walking around in a muzzle so kudos to the humans and dogs I work with who put that time in to better their dogs lives.

If you see a dog in a muzzle, don’t stare, don’t ask rude questions, just say “nice job, great looking dog!” And carry on. Believe me, you will have just made that humans day.

Written by Helen St. Pierre if you share please give credit. No Monkey Business Dog Training

09/12/2020

Graceful Grace after her massage treatment ⭐️

08/12/2020

Reuben relaxing after his massage treatment today ⭐️

07/12/2020

😊

25/10/2020

25/08/2020

The incredibly beautiful Grace relaxing after her massage treatment. ⭐️

28/07/2020

Hurray! Our brand spanking new website is officially LIVE! Find a therapist in the UK, Ireland, Europe, USA and Asia , check out the articles section , read about the clinical trials and for vets there's a special section on the integration of massage into the multi disciplinary team.

Visit us today and find your dogs therapist for results in 1-3 sessions!

Click here to visit! http://www.k9-massageguild.co.uk

25/07/2020

❤️❤️❤️