Code K9 Massage

Happy 6th birthday Code 🩵

Today, we’re celebrating the dog behind Code K9 Massage.

Here are some things you may not know about Code:

Nickname: Pip or Pippy
Favourite food: Tinned sardines
Favourite walk: Anywhere with a big open field so that he can run
Guilty pleasure: Watching someone play with a ball
Secret talent: When he’s happy, he goes “woo wooooo”
Best friend(s): Mackie, Bella and Jen (dogs) and Eleni (human)

Tonight, he’ll be celebrating with a steak for dinner!

Yesterday I shared how important sleep is for our dogs, and how poor sleep can affect behaviour, energy levels and pain.

So, how can massage help our dogs get better quality rest?

➡️ Relax and unwind by encouraging the activation of the parasympathetic “rest and digest” nervous system
➡️ Ease muscle tension and stiffness
➡️ Support comfort and mobility
➡️ Provide a sense of calm and rest

Sleep and comfort go hand in hand. When a dog is more comfortable, they are often able to settle more easily and enjoy more restful sleep. In turn, good quality sleep helps the body recover and can support overall wellbeing.

Please get in touch to find out more.

I recently listened to a podcast where Dr Lauren Davis (The Sleep Vet) spoke about something all of our dogs do… Sleep 💤

She said how, like us, our dogs sometimes may not get a good night’s sleep which can impact them with:

Their Behaviour: Being short tempered, forgetting things and having a lack of energy
Any Pain: Being more stiff or achy (both muscles and joints) and more pain sensitive

Pain, particularly, can cause a vicious cycle where a dog isn’t sleeping well, making them more pain sensitive, therefore they don’t sleep well etc.

❔ Did you know adult dogs need around 14 hours of sleep a day?

Tomorrow I will post about you can help your dog’s sleep, and how massage can help, but for now, comment photos of your sleeping dogs.

Every Friday, I am sharing one of the 5 Principles of Pain. This a helpful guide developed by the Canine Massage Guild to help owners recognise subtle signs of muscular discomfort and pain in dogs.

This week’s principle is: PERFORMANCE

Signs to look out for include:

AGILITY:
➡ Pole knocking
➡ Weave issues
➡ Turning wider
➡ Measuring jumps

OBEDIENCE:
➡ Changes in positions
➡ Weaker heelwork

HOOPERS:
➡ Slower in speed
➡ Difficulty controlling for turns

CANICROSS:
➡ Early onset fatigue
➡ Reluctance to wear harness
➡ Not wanting to pull

SCENTWORK:
➡ Reduction in stamina
➡ Reluctance to wear harness

If you are noticing any of these issues with your sporting dog, please get in touch.

Normally within three treatments, there are positive results seen from clinical canine massage therapy - and this is true with Reggie.

Reggie just had his third treatment and the differences in him have been great. His posture, gait and muscle tone have all improved. His owner has also noted that he is moving better, is less roached, and that the twitching in his skin has reduced.

If you are interested in booking a clinical canine massage therapy treatment for your dog, please DM me.

Today I had the lovely Zera for her first massage. Zera is an active Spanish Water Dog who actively competes in breed showing, hoopers and scent work.

Like many dogs, Zera prefers to take her time getting to know new people, so we worked at a pace that suited her and found a setup she was comfortable with (which meant lying on the floor!). We were both surprised by how quickly she relaxed and settled into her treatment.

By the end of the session, she was sound asleep, which was so wonderful to see 🩵

I am looking forward to attending this upcoming event, hosted by Island Dog Training Club, with speakers from Guernsey Vets4pets.

If you’re a fellow dog owner or work with dogs, this promises to be a really informative evening.

Hope to see lots of you there!

The IDTC are excited to be hosting a Vet Talk with Guernsey Vets4pets!

Spaces are limited, so book your spot here: https://idtc.co.uk/product/vet-talk/

Every Friday, I am sharing one of the 5 Principles of Pain. This a helpful guide developed by the Canine Massage Guild to help owners recognise subtle signs of muscular discomfort and pain in dogs.

This week’s principle is: BEHAVIOUR

Signs to look out for include:

➡ Reluctance to be petted, groomed or examined
➡ Disinterested in life or acting depressed
➡ Self mutilation
➡ Excessive licking
➡ Snapping when handled or towel dried
➡ Reactivity, avoidance or nervousness around other dogs
➡ Anxiety
➡ Noise sensitivity
➡ Rolling on their backs frequently
➡ Presenting an area to be petted

I’m delighted to have completed further CPD with the Canine Massage Therapy Centre, focusing on facilitated stretches and how they can help us assess joint and muscle health.

Code joined in as a demo dog and thoroughly enjoyed himself. Here he is, sleeping soundly after all his hard work during the session!

Thank you, Nat, for a brilliantly interesting day.