Tag: Sunday dog

  • Thanks to the Animals!

    When you counted your blessings on Thanksgiving, did you include the creatures that settled under the table or wound themselves around your legs? Are you thankful for your own companion animals and all the service animals that make our lives safer, healthier, and more fulfilling?

    IMG_5941

    Pets Are Good for You

    Study after study confirms that having companion animals is good for your health. Certainly city dwellers with dogs seem more likely to enjoy the fitness benefits of daily exercise.

    The National Institutes of Health has funded studies that showed people who walked their dogs “… were more physically active and less likely to be obese than those who didn’t own or walk a dog.” For individuals age 71-82, “Those who regularly walked their dogs walked faster and for longer time periods each week than others who didn’t walk regularly. Older dog walkers also had greater mobility inside their homes than others in the study.”

      IMG_4352

    Heart Health

    Stroking a cat or dog has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and increase a feeling of calm. The American Heart Association issued a scientific statement about pet ownership and cardiac risk this year.

    They reported that, “Owning pets is associated with reducing your risk of heart disease, and there are a variety of reasons that may be at work that influence this relationship. It may be that healthier people are more likely to be pet owners or that people with dogs tend to exercise more. Pets also play a role in providing social support to their owners, which is an important factor in helping you stick with a new habit or adopting a new healthy behavior.”

    Mental Health

    Other researchers are looking at the benefits of pets or exposure to therapy dogs for disorders like depression, post traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder.

    Caring for an animal keeps people active and can help prevent someone from becoming withdrawn. From companionship to silly antics that make you laugh, a dog or cat can be a mood booster.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401b7c8e1bef0970b-800wi

    Dodie is a real service dog in training. 

    Therapy and Service Dogs

    Don’t be surprised if you find a dog at a medical appointment in your future. Dogs have an amazing sense of smell – 1,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than ours. Medical detection dogs are now used to alert doctors to human conditions from hypoglycemia in diabetics to skin, bladder, and ovarian cancer.

    Some of these canines work with professionals in medical research settings, others are trained to alert their person to spikes and drops in blood sugar levels in diabetes, or to protect and try to get help for someone with a seizure disorder.

    You’ll also see service dogs who act as guides and helpers for people who are blind, deaf, confined to a wheelchair, or unsteady on their feet. And there are emotional support dogs who help a person stay calm in stressful situations.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401630566ca7e970d-800wi

    These geese wrangler dogs work in the Public Garden.

    Working Dogs

    Beyond animals that serve as companions, there are hundreds of working dogs that deserve our thanks. They help law enforcement officers track criminals, locate drugs, guns, contraband, and bombs. They work protecting livestock on farms and offering comfort to victims in courtrooms and in the aftermath of a crime or disaster.

    Yes, these same creatures can be a source of stress when they misbehave or are ailing themselves. However, overall, scientists are showing that we should be giving thanks for our dogs, cats, and other furry and feathered critters when we count our blessings.

     

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    (Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)

  • Thanks to the Animals!

    When you counted your blessings on Thanksgiving, did you include the creatures that settled under the table or wound themselves around your legs? Are you thankful for your own companion animals and all the service animals that make our lives safer, healthier, and more fulfilling?

    IMG_5941

    Pets Are Good for You

    Study after study confirms that having companion animals is good for your health. Certainly city dwellers with dogs seem more likely to enjoy the fitness benefits of daily exercise.

    The National Institutes of Health has funded studies that showed people who walked their dogs “… were more physically active and less likely to be obese than those who didn’t own or walk a dog.” For individuals age 71-82, “Those who regularly walked their dogs walked faster and for longer time periods each week than others who didn’t walk regularly. Older dog walkers also had greater mobility inside their homes than others in the study.”

      IMG_4352

    Heart Health

    Stroking a cat or dog has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and increase a feeling of calm. The American Heart Association issued a scientific statement about pet ownership and cardiac risk this year.

    They reported that, “Owning pets is associated with reducing your risk of heart disease, and there are a variety of reasons that may be at work that influence this relationship. It may be that healthier people are more likely to be pet owners or that people with dogs tend to exercise more. Pets also play a role in providing social support to their owners, which is an important factor in helping you stick with a new habit or adopting a new healthy behavior.”

    Mental Health

    Other researchers are looking at the benefits of pets or exposure to therapy dogs for disorders like depression, post traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder.

    Caring for an animal keeps people active and can help prevent someone from becoming withdrawn. From companionship to silly antics that make you laugh, a dog or cat can be a mood booster.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401b7c8e1bef0970b-800wi

    Dodie is a real service dog in training. 

    Therapy and Service Dogs

    Don’t be surprised if you find a dog at a medical appointment in your future. Dogs have an amazing sense of smell – 1,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than ours. Medical detection dogs are now used to alert doctors to human conditions from hypoglycemia in diabetics to skin, bladder, and ovarian cancer.

    Some of these canines work with professionals in medical research settings, others are trained to alert their person to spikes and drops in blood sugar levels in diabetes, or to protect and try to get help for someone with a seizure disorder.

    You’ll also see service dogs who act as guides and helpers for people who are blind, deaf, confined to a wheelchair, or unsteady on their feet. And there are emotional support dogs who help a person stay calm in stressful situations.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401630566ca7e970d-800wi

    These geese wrangler dogs work in the Public Garden.

    Working Dogs

    Beyond animals that serve as companions, there are hundreds of working dogs that deserve our thanks. They help law enforcement officers track criminals, locate drugs, guns, contraband, and bombs. They work protecting livestock on farms and offering comfort to victims in courtrooms and in the aftermath of a crime or disaster.

    Yes, these same creatures can be a source of stress when they misbehave or are ailing themselves. However, overall, scientists are showing that we should be giving thanks for our dogs, cats, and other furry and feathered critters when we count our blessings.

     

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    (Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)

  • Holiday Visiting Etiquette for Dog People

    Holidays can be stressful and sometimes the issue of dogs and cats can be divisive, especially if one person considers them family members and another can’t stand animals in the house. We have always considered our dogs family members and that our home is their home. However, we don’t expect other people to open their homes to our dog.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401bb081c81d5970d-800wi

    We also are very specific when we make invitations to friends with dogs. For years dogs were included because our Maggie Mae loved having company and was great about sharing. Poppy, on the other hand, will bark at any dog in her territory, so we’ve been reluctant to test her reaction to other dogs in her home.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401b7c7e85862970b-800wi

    When someone invites us to visit, we assume that invitation does not include Poppy. Even when she would love to come and has dressed for the occasion to convince us to take her as she did in the photo above.

    We would never ask anyone, even people who have dogs or who love dogs, to include her in our visit. What’s more, sometimes a dog or cat waiting for you at home might just give you the perfect reason to limit the time you spend visiting one of your less amusing relatives.

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    (Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)

  • Holiday Visiting Etiquette for Dog People

    Holidays can be stressful and sometimes the issue of dogs and cats can be divisive, especially if one person considers them family members and another can’t stand animals in the house. We have always considered our dogs family members and that our home is their home. However, we don’t expect other people to open their homes to our dog.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401bb081c81d5970d-800wi

    We also are very specific when we make invitations to friends with dogs. For years dogs were included because our Maggie Mae loved having company and was great about sharing. Poppy, on the other hand, will bark at any dog in her territory, so we’ve been reluctant to test her reaction to other dogs in her home.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401b7c7e85862970b-800wi

    When someone invites us to visit, we assume that invitation does not include Poppy. Even when she would love to come and has dressed for the occasion to convince us to take her as she did in the photo above.

    We would never ask anyone, even people who have dogs or who love dogs, to include her in our visit. What’s more, sometimes a dog or cat waiting for you at home might just give you the perfect reason to limit the time you spend visiting one of your less amusing relatives.

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    (Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)

  • Winter & Holiday Preparations for Families that Include Dogs

    When you think about preparing for winter, your first thoughts might be about snow tires or weatherproofing windows, but there are some dog related items you might want to add to your winter preparation list.

    IMG_5884_preview
    Maxie looks great in her winter sweater!

    Before all the de-icing supplies for your building are purchased, you might ask that pet safe de-icer be used rather than salt or other toxic chemicals. This will not only benefit your dog, but also all the dogs who pass your home. It may even help some inside kitties since the people in the family won’t track in potential poisons.

    CHE_5853 - Version 2 - 2015-02-04 at 13-28-11

    Poppy loves winter more than we do. This is her response when we say she's been out too long.

    If your winter gear is in storage, it’s time for a switch. Put away the beach gear, life jackets, and sun shades. If you haven’t taken a good look at your dog’s winter supplies, such as jackets, boots, sweaters, and your own cold weather walk equipment, now is a good time to assess and resupply before a sudden storm calls for full winter gear.

    If you have a car and your dog travels with you, winter requires protection for seats from snowy, muddy paws. If you use car services, be sure to bring a towel or waterproof pad when your dog shares your ride. We always contact the driver to say we’re bringing a dog and something to protect your car seat.

    Poppyinzipcar - Version 2 - 2013-09-23 at 12-22-56

    Zipcar requires that members use a travel crate or bag when they take a pet along. In addition to the crate, we cover the back seat with waterproof pads so that Poppy can walk to her crate without leaving behind paw prints, sand, mud, or salt.

    Here are a few more of our winter tips for dog families:

     IMG_2101

    Marley is a well-traveled dog and a perfect guest in any home.

    Travel Plans

    The holiday season often requires special arrangements if you plan to travel or spend time with nearby family or friends.

    Even with hotels and other lodgings you have visited with your pets in the past, confirming current policies and fees can prevent a nasty surprise when you arrive. We find that some fees are unreasonable. For example, Disney recently decided to allow pets in some of their hotels. However, they are charging a $50 per night cleaning fee.

    Should you plan to have your favorite pet sitter, boarding kennel, friend, or family member take care of your critter while you are away, it’s a good idea to discuss this now before all spots are filled or other plans are made.

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    (Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)

  • Winter & Holiday Preparations for Families that Include Dogs

    When you think about preparing for winter, your first thoughts might be about snow tires or weatherproofing windows, but there are some dog related items you might want to add to your winter preparation list.

    IMG_5884_preview
    Maxie looks great in her winter sweater!

    Before all the de-icing supplies for your building are purchased, you might ask that pet safe de-icer be used rather than salt or other toxic chemicals. This will not only benefit your dog, but also all the dogs who pass your home. It may even help some inside kitties since the people in the family won’t track in potential poisons.

    CHE_5853 - Version 2 - 2015-02-04 at 13-28-11

    Poppy loves winter more than we do. This is her response when we say she's been out too long.

    If your winter gear is in storage, it’s time for a switch. Put away the beach gear, life jackets, and sun shades. If you haven’t taken a good look at your dog’s winter supplies, such as jackets, boots, sweaters, and your own cold weather walk equipment, now is a good time to assess and resupply before a sudden storm calls for full winter gear.

    If you have a car and your dog travels with you, winter requires protection for seats from snowy, muddy paws. If you use car services, be sure to bring a towel or waterproof pad when your dog shares your ride. We always contact the driver to say we’re bringing a dog and something to protect your car seat.

    Poppyinzipcar - Version 2 - 2013-09-23 at 12-22-56

    Zipcar requires that members use a travel crate or bag when they take a pet along. In addition to the crate, we cover the back seat with waterproof pads so that Poppy can walk to her crate without leaving behind paw prints, sand, mud, or salt.

    Here are a few more of our winter tips for dog families:

     IMG_2101

    Marley is a well-traveled dog and a perfect guest in any home.

    Travel Plans

    The holiday season often requires special arrangements if you plan to travel or spend time with nearby family or friends.

    Even with hotels and other lodgings you have visited with your pets in the past, confirming current policies and fees can prevent a nasty surprise when you arrive. We find that some fees are unreasonable. For example, Disney recently decided to allow pets in some of their hotels. However, they are charging a $50 per night cleaning fee.

    Should you plan to have your favorite pet sitter, boarding kennel, friend, or family member take care of your critter while you are away, it’s a good idea to discuss this now before all spots are filled or other plans are made.

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    (Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)

  • Does Your Dog Have a Favorite Spot?

    We may think we are the masters of our animal companions but, time and again, we see that they are the decision makers. We buy designer crates for our dogs and multi-level perches with hidden nests for our cats. We try to protect old joints with orthopedic pet mattresses. But our resident cats and dogs have their own ideas of the perfect resting spot.

    IMG_4003

    Even on a restaurant patio, Poppy will scoot under the table.

    Dog Caves

    We have always had terriers – dogs designed to “go to ground.” One residual behavior for this inbred trait is the desire to be under things. Each of our dogs figured out a spot where she could happily nest away from pesky people. For Poppy it’s Ed's desk or our dining table.

    This desire to have a hiding spot is said to have come from their ancestors who, as wild animals, would rest or hide in a den. It’s the reason crate training can work so well for dogs. If not overused, the time spent in a crate can be restful and calming. A crate can be a dog’s place of safety and security.

     

    And, for the human side of the equation, today’s crates have come a long way from the wire cages that you see at dog shows, animal hospitals, and grooming shops. Some are designed to blend into your living room. You can have a wooden crate that looks like an end table in a mahogany finish; a Mid-Century modern oval fiberglass crate; or a sleek, shiny, steel circular one that can double as a cocktail table.

    But, even if you succeed in training your dog to love his crate, don’t be surprised if he finds another spot around the house that he claims as the best and most wonderful place in the world.

    Image-1

    Poppy also loves to snuggle into the corner of our sofa.

    Cozy or Cool

    For other animals, it is the lure of warmth or cold that directs their instincts to a favorite place. One friend has a cat who loves the bathroom sink. In the hot weather, she’ll find him sprawled in and about that marble surface.

    And we all know both cats and dogs who will follow a sunbeam across the floor basking in the warmth coming through a window.

    IMG_8428

    If it's cold at the beach, Poppy loves to share a chair and a sleeping bag with Penny.

    Home Away From Home

    That bathroom sink cat also loves to lounge in his cat carrier. That’s fortunate because it makes him more comfortable in it, when the carrier is used to transport him somewhere.

    We’ve always used a crate in the car and in hotel rooms when traveling with dogs. In the car, a sturdy crate keeps my dog safer and more secure if we’re involved in an accident. It also keeps the dog from distracting the driver.

    In hotel rooms, a crate will protect your dog from escaping if a staff member should enter the room for some reason. And, if the crate is used at home and contains a favorite blanket or pillow, it will also lend a sense of security and hominess for your pal.

    Yes, many companion animals would rather be on the sofa with you most of the time. But, if you think about the dogs and cats who have shared your life, I’ll bet you’ll smile as you name a favorite spot that each of them chose as their own.

     

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    (Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)

  • Does Your Dog Have a Favorite Spot?

    We may think we are the masters of our animal companions but, time and again, we see that they are the decision makers. We buy designer crates for our dogs and multi-level perches with hidden nests for our cats. We try to protect old joints with orthopedic pet mattresses. But our resident cats and dogs have their own ideas of the perfect resting spot.

    IMG_4003

    Even on a restaurant patio, Poppy will scoot under the table.

    Dog Caves

    We have always had terriers – dogs designed to “go to ground.” One residual behavior for this inbred trait is the desire to be under things. Each of our dogs figured out a spot where she could happily nest away from pesky people. For Poppy it’s Ed's desk or our dining table.

    This desire to have a hiding spot is said to have come from their ancestors who, as wild animals, would rest or hide in a den. It’s the reason crate training can work so well for dogs. If not overused, the time spent in a crate can be restful and calming. A crate can be a dog’s place of safety and security.

     

    And, for the human side of the equation, today’s crates have come a long way from the wire cages that you see at dog shows, animal hospitals, and grooming shops. Some are designed to blend into your living room. You can have a wooden crate that looks like an end table in a mahogany finish; a Mid-Century modern oval fiberglass crate; or a sleek, shiny, steel circular one that can double as a cocktail table.

    But, even if you succeed in training your dog to love his crate, don’t be surprised if he finds another spot around the house that he claims as the best and most wonderful place in the world.

    Image-1

    Poppy also loves to snuggle into the corner of our sofa.

    Cozy or Cool

    For other animals, it is the lure of warmth or cold that directs their instincts to a favorite place. One friend has a cat who loves the bathroom sink. In the hot weather, she’ll find him sprawled in and about that marble surface.

    And we all know both cats and dogs who will follow a sunbeam across the floor basking in the warmth coming through a window.

    IMG_8428

    If it's cold at the beach, Poppy loves to share a chair and a sleeping bag with Penny.

    Home Away From Home

    That bathroom sink cat also loves to lounge in his cat carrier. That’s fortunate because it makes him more comfortable in it, when the carrier is used to transport him somewhere.

    We’ve always used a crate in the car and in hotel rooms when traveling with dogs. In the car, a sturdy crate keeps my dog safer and more secure if we’re involved in an accident. It also keeps the dog from distracting the driver.

    In hotel rooms, a crate will protect your dog from escaping if a staff member should enter the room for some reason. And, if the crate is used at home and contains a favorite blanket or pillow, it will also lend a sense of security and hominess for your pal.

    Yes, many companion animals would rather be on the sofa with you most of the time. But, if you think about the dogs and cats who have shared your life, I’ll bet you’ll smile as you name a favorite spot that each of them chose as their own.

     

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    (Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)

  • Keep it to Yourself, Don’t Spread Canine Diseases

    Last summer as we approached Howie, one of our neighborhood’s sweetest, best-behaved dogs, his guardian stopped us from allowing our dog to get close to his. The gentleman told us he was keeping Howie away from others because the pup was being treated for kennel cough.

    IMG_3236 copy

    Naturally, we thanked him for being so proactive, considerate, and helpful. He is exactly the kind of person we all hope to have as part of our dog community. He has raised a dog to be a good citizen, he follows the rules that govern being out and about with a dog, and he is as careful with our dog as he is with his.

    Happily, Howie made a quick recovery and our Poppy was able to have a sniff fest with him again.

    IMG_3221

    It helped that Howie pays attention to his person when asked and we were able to slip by without contact.

    Know What Is Contagious

    You should not only know what is contagious among dogs, but also how the disease is spread and what you can do to prevent your dog from becoming sick. For example, Mary Fuller, DVM, writing about Kennel Cough for Vet Street wrote, “This extremely contagious respiratory disease, also known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis, isn’t always caused by a single organism.” Your dog can get it from inhaling the virus or bacteria left behind by a sick dog at places where dogs congregate.

    Other highly contagious canine diseases include: distemper, adenovirus [hepatitis], parainfluenza, and parvovirus. These all have vaccines that your dog may have been given by your veterinarian. Once initial immunity is established, you can do titer testing for all but rabies to be sure your pup is protected from one year to the next.

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    Our cat friends should also be protected from contagious diseases. (photo courtesy of American Veterinary Medical Association)

    You may be offered vaccinations for other contagious diseases including coronavirus, leptospirosis, bordetella, lyme disease, and canine influenza.

    There are also parasites that one dog can pass to another. We know that fleas and ticks love to ride on one dog and jump over to another like subway riders switching from the Red Line to the Green.

    Other unwanted guests like roundworms, hookworms, sarcoptic mange, and giardia can be transmitted via feces, on soil, or in standing water including shared bowls.

    IMG_3274

    Puppies like this one plus elderly and frail dogs need special protection from contagious diseases.

    Doing Your Part in Prevention

    In general, it’s a good idea to keep your dog away from other dogs when he is not feeling well and ask your friends to return the favor when their dogs are a bit under the weather. Something that a very healthy pup can shake off could be a death sentence for a frail or elderly dog.

    We are often alerted when some sort of canine gastrointestinal issue that may be contagious is going around the area. You just have to observe the smears on the sidewalk where people with the best intentions try to pick up after a sick dog.

    While our little Poppy has been a very healthy girl, we did face more health issues with our last dog Maggie Mae. Because of this, we know how difficult it can be to clean-up after your dog if they are suffering from an upset tummy or diarrhea.

    We found that slipping a newspaper or a couple of paper towels under her would often catch most of the what she released. We’d then deposit the mess in a plastic bag and take it to the trash.

     

    Today we still carry small absorbent puppy pads to do this sort of job just in case we ever need one. We have used these at home and in rental places to keep from soiling furniture and carpets, just as when Maggie was ill.

    Thanks to all who do their best to alert us to sick dogs and clean-up as best they can when out and about. 

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    (Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)

  • Try Touch Therapy for Your Sunday Dog

    At Poppy’s last annual check-up, her doctor was concerned because our dog’s heart rate was low. We had a quick explanation. While we waited for our appointment, Poppy was on Penny’s lap getting a Tellington TTouch massage.

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    Petting, massage, or touch therapy are all good ideas if you and your dog both enjoy the experience. (photo by: yannick974 used under creative commons license)

    Over the years, we’ve used TTouch on our own dogs and with some of the skittish rescue pups we have fostered. Mardi Richmond described the classic TTouch massage in an article in Whole Dog Journal, “… your fingers are slightly curved and you use the pads of your fingers to create the circles.” She has found this “particularly useful for anxious dogs.”

    Petting, massage, or touch therapy are all good ideas if you and your dog both enjoy the experience. Some dogs melt into your lap or snuggle up beside you and soak up strokes like arid soil in a gentle rain. Others squirm and can’t wait to get away and get on with more interesting things.

    Some people can’t help but automatically stroke any willing dog within reach. Others will have to work at sitting still and giving their dog a massage when needed.

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    Even as a tiny pup, Poppy was very relaxed at Vet visits after some gentle massage.

    When to Apply Touch Therapy

    Obviously a reassuring touch in a scary setting, like a veterinary office, may help calm an anxious animal. Again this will only work for critters who are receptive to it. Trained experts in TTouch may be able to work with reluctant and highly agitated dogs, but most of us have to choose which dogs we massage with foresight and knowledge of their personality.

    How do you tell if the dog is willing? Start with a few gentle rubs. If the pup settles in and seems to enjoy it, continue. There are some dogs that will lean into anyone willing to give them some pats. That’s another sign that they are okay with some gentle massage.

    Once you have established that massage is welcome, you can think about using it for anxious situations like a thunderstorm or when company comes.

    IMG_6342

    If your dog is like Chip and willing to curl up on your lap, you can use that as an opportunity to do a gentle check of his body. 

    Daily Check Up

    We bet you’ve used a gentle massaging technique to see if your dog is injured. Carefully running your hands over an animal’s body when they are limping or showing pain is how most of us find out what’s hurting.

    If you were to spend a few minutes each day giving your pet a slow, gentle massage, you would quickly learn to recognize what is normal for him or her. Then when the daily session turns up a sensitive spot, swelling, or change in skin or coat, you’ll be able to monitor it and take action.

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    Before and After Exercise

    A nice massage may be the perfect warm up or cool down for an exercise session. If you and your dog are about to take a long hike, an all over rubdown can warm up the pup. And who wouldn’t like a massage after hours of walking and running?

    Naturally this calm session of meditative, slow, gentle, physical contact with another living creature will also benefit you. You’ll find yourself relaxing. Your own heart rate should slow, your blood pressure may decrease, and your breathing will fall into a slow, steady pace.

    You can start out simply patting your animal gently. If, from there, you want to learn more tested and advanced techniques, there are books, videos, and classes that will help you learn more about simple massage or something like Tellington TTouch.

     

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino