 Stretching out in a "bow" or downward facing dog | Typist: Wilhelm After agility class last night, I was getting my post-workout massage and doing my stretches and I thought "I should share my stretching techniques and favorite massages in my Fit Dog Friday blog post." So, here I am, letting all the Fit Dog Friday blog hoppers know that fit dogs need stretches and massages just like fit humans do. I enjoy stretches, range of motion exercises and massages before and after every long walk, run and agility workout. Have you ever seen trainers stretching and massaging athletes before a game? It's kind of like that only my I'm a wiener dog athlete. |
It used to be called giving the dog a "once over." Checking for injuries, pain, ticks, etc. Now I call it getting massaged and stretched. Lucky me! My feet often pop and crackle when squeezed and rubbed and counter stretched (that's fancy trainer speak for bent the other way or backwards.) Getting my feet rubbed is one of my favorite massages and one of the most important range of motions exercises a fit dog can get.
 A counter stretch for my paw |  A massage for my paw |
I also love to have my spine stretched and massaged. To stretch my spine, I do a "bow" or downward facing dog. I also get a massage from the base of my skull all the way to the tip of my tail. My trainer puts fingers on either side of my spine and rubs along my whole long body. I am sure with a larger dog, more fingers/hands and pressure would work for a great spine massage.
 Rubbing on either side of the spine from the neck |  Pressing along the spine to the base of the tail |
I also get massaged and stretched at my shoulders and hips. My trainer rubs from the base of my skull, along my neck, to my shoulder blade and all around my shoulder blade. She then checks the range of motion in my shoulders by lifting my leg, supporting high on my leg, cradling my shoulder blade and making small leg circles. I get rubbed all the way down my front legs to my feet. She does this on both sides. I also love laying on my back and getting massaged on my neck as well as between and around my shoulder blades. My hips get a similar treatment with special emphasis on the hard working jumping muscles of my haunches. I especially enjoy a gentle little "rump lift" for a nice low back stretch. "Rump lifts" take a lot more effort for larger dogs but it feels so good!
 Laying on my back for a shoulder massage In conclusion, being a fit dog isn't just about eating right and exercising. To ensure a lifetime of fitness fun, giving your dog a good old fashioned once over after each work out is not only essential to a dogs health and happiness but a great experience for your dog and you too. In fact, you and your dog will probably so enjoy your post fitness stretching and massage time, you'll make it a twice over! |  Enjoying a hip massage and "rump lift" low back stretch |
A hip stretch or Upward Facing Dog in the grass
A happy, flexible & fit dog
None of the Cascadian Nomads are SAMP or veterinarians, though we have learned a lot from ones we know. The information in this post is purely for petting and bonding with your dog purposes and should not be used to treat or prevent problems or injuries.
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