Depending on how comfortable your dog is with new people and being touched, they will likely enjoy a massage.

If not straight away (especially if they are carrying a lot of tension and feel sensitive) then over time your dog will relax into it and enjoy their sessions.

It’s very important to go and the pace of the dog and build trust.

During the first session, which can be slightly longer than an hour, we will cover a full medical and behaviour history, a gait observation, palpation, trust building and initial massage.

It is important to understand that I am a stranger and massage touch is different to what your dog normally experiences either from you or from your vet so some dogs may not settle in their first session. Time may be needed to build up trust. Don’t be surprised if it takes your dog a little while to relax in that first session. There are dogs who literally fall asleep straight away, but equally there is the opposite. (Read about Bailey in ‘Before & After’).

Many things can influence how a dog responds and it varies from dog to dog.

Some dogs will settle immediately while for others the trust building that takes place in the first session is vital to pave the way for constructive work to follow in subsequent sessions.

In most cases, yes.

More often that not your dog will be more comfortable with you present. You have a strong bond with your dog and they will look to you for support and confirmation that it’s all ok.

Not immediately before.

Massage therapy stimulates digestion so please do not feed your dog right before their massage.

Ideally also try not to schedule a session at a time when it is their normal mealtime. Your dog will find it difficult to settle if they are expecting to be fed.

If the timing can’t be helped then the best thing is to feed them earlier than normal with a light meal and then some time after their massage feed them the rest later.

Assuming your dog is able to be exercised please go ahead as normal.

Your dog is more likely to settle if their normal routine has not been changed too much and they have had an opportunity to sniff and go to the toilet.

This varies from dog to dog and also depends on the reason for them receiving massage therapy. We will discuss the plan together, your goal for massage and how much you would like to do, or are able to do at home in between sessions. We will re-assess as we go and you begin to see the benefits in your dog.

I tend to see elderly and / or arthritic clients on a more regular, ongoing basis. The same is true for those I see for maintenance reasons.

Dogs who I see for recovery reasons will likely not need long term help, unless desired for maintenance.

Just like you and I, in one massage we feel a bit better but it can take a couple more before the knots, and any tension, are fully released - and bear in mind we don’t have to go through the same trust building steps as our dogs do.

If your dog has very tight muscles, then these will be uncomfortable to touch so it is important to go slowly.

I will also show you some techniques you can do at home in between sessions so over time coming to see me following the immediate need can be more of a ‘tune up’. I have had clients who have noticed such a change in their dogs’ attitude that they have only needed a few sessions. For other dogs it isn’t until the 2nd or 3rd session that they really get it and understand they don’t have anything to fear, and they begin to really enjoy it.

The first (initial) session can be slightly longer than an hour because we cover a lot of information.

Subsequent sessions are typically an hour although for some dogs 30 mins will be enough.

We will discuss the length of recommended sessions during the initial one.

It is always helpful to have approval from your vet when starting any kind of therapy.

However there are some cases where massage would not be helpful so it is important to understand that.

If your dog has a type of cancer or an underlying health condition then to make sure that massage is not contraindicated, approval from your Vet or Specialist is needed before any massage.

Dogs often feel most comfortable in their own homes which is why I offer home visits.

Ideally the massage happens in a calm space with minimal distractions. Also ideally at a time when you are not expecting deliveries or visitors.

It is sometimes possible for you to come to me if your home is too hectic - we can chat about whether that’s an option.