Did you know that dogs benefit from massage in many of the same ways we do?

According to Athena Arnado, creator of Take 5 for FIDO, an instructional program that teaches dog owners to master a 5 minute doggie massage technique, massage can yield many positive benefits for your beloved furry friend.

“My clients experience relaxation and a decrease in anxiety, increased oxygen to the brain, muscles and vital organs,” says Arnado who became a certified massage therapist after suffering from a repetitive motion work injury that doctors believed would debilitate her for life. Seeking alternatives to surgery, she managed her pain with routine massage.

“The bonding time alone will be gratifying but done properly, your dog can experience improved blood circulation, relief from pain and muscle tension, improved joint flexibility and increased range of motion.”

Here are some things to keep in mind when giving your dog a massage.

1. Check with your veterinarian first: There are some illnesses, ailments and conditions that are contraindicated to massage and your vet can tell you if your dog suffers from any of them.

2. Keep it quick and simple: You are more likely to do it and your dog is more likely to reap the benefits. If it takes too much of your time and is complicated to learn, you may not do it at all and then your dog will suffer.

3. A little knowledge goes a long way: You don’t need to know everything about your dog’s anatomy and physiology to make a difference but it is important to have a good idea of where their bones and main surface muscles are so that you can stretch the muscles away from the bones without pressing on the bones, which can be very painful.

4. Pay attention to your dog’s reactions: Because they don’t speak our language, we need to understand theirs. If your dog gives any indication of discomfort, stop immediately. Some dogs have areas of sensitivity. The only way for us to know where those are is to pay close attention. They may have an old injury, a new injury, an issue on the inside that affects the outside, (e.g; a kidney infection that causes sensitivity to touch around the mid-to-low back), etc. If your dog grimaces, snaps or jumps at any time during the massage, don’t get angry. It’s just their way of informing you that it hurts. Stop immediately. Apologize and give them some TLC. Then, adjust your massage accordingly. You can massage the area with less pressure or even just a gentle petting can bring relief to the area without exacerbating the pain. Depending upon your dog’s reaction the second time around, you may want to avoid the area of sensitivity altogether and check with your veterinarian in case it’s serious.

5. Good Intentions can do more than touch itself: Dogs are very sensitive to your energy. If you’ve had a bad day or are angry about something, change your energy before you touch your dog, or anyone for that matter. For the innocent little beings that they are, waiting patiently all day for you to come home from work so you can share a moment of love and bonding, always touch them with pure love.

For more information about doggie massage, visit www.Take5ForFido.com.