The Beginner’s Guide to Canine Massage is the perfect introduction to how massage can support your dog’s health and wellbeing at home. This one-day workshop offers a fun, relaxed, and informative experience for both you and your dog.

By the end of the day, you will be able to confidently perform a full-body, 40-minute Swedish massage on your own dog. This massage routine is designed to help ease stiff, sore, or tight muscles, improve comfort and mobility, and enhance your dog’s overall sense of wellbeing.

During the workshop, you will learn the basics of canine anatomy, including how to identify key bony landmarks and major muscle groups. We will also discuss the subtle signs your dog may display if they are experiencing muscular or skeletal discomfort, helping you to better understand and respond to their needs.

Please visit the shop for full details of venues, dates, and booking information.

These workshops are for personal interest only and are intended to help owners work safely with their own dogs. They do not qualify participants to treat other people’s dogs.

Who is this workshop suitable for?

Dogs

• Pet dogs of all breeds and ages

• Dogs with arthritis or hip dysplasia

• Active young dogs

• Senior or ageing dogs

• Dogs who are slowing down

• Agility, sporting, or working dogs

• Dogs who have stopped doing activities they once enjoyed (for example, getting on or off the sofa, or in and out of the car)

Owners & Professionals

• Owners wishing to improve their dog’s comfort, mobility, and quality of life

• People interested in natural or complementary healthcare for dogs

• Dog lovers passionate about the health, comfort, and longevity of dogs

• Professionals attending for Continuing Professional Development (CPD)*

• Dog trainers

• Behaviourists

• People considering applying for the Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner Programme

• *Please note: This workshop is for personal interest and CPD only. It does not qualify attendees to treat dogs belonging to the general public.*Please note: This workshop is for personal interest and CPD only. It does not qualify attendees to treat dogs belonging to the general public.

What you will learn:

The Science Behind Canine Massage

• How and why massage works

• The positive physiological (body) and psychological (mind) effects of massage on dogs

Tutorial 1 – Canine Anatomy Fundamentals

• How to locate key bony landmarks and why this is essential before starting any massage routine

• How to identify your dog’s main muscle groups (working hands-on with your own dog)

• How to recognise subtle signs of muscular or skeletal discomfort in your dog

Tutorial 2 – Swedish Massage Practice

• Nine core techniques from the discipline of Swedish massage, specifically adapted for dogs

• How to safely learn and practice passive range of motion techniques, applied gently and in alignment, to help improve joint mobility and muscular comfort

As a matter of best practice, every dog attending the workshop receives a full-body palpation. This muscular health check helps identify areas of tension, discomfort, or joint concern that may influence which techniques or movements are appropriate for that individual dog. This ensures each dog is worked with safely and appropriately.
The muscular health check is provided as a complimentary service and incurs no additional charge.

Tutorial 3 – Guided Routine & Self-Guided Practice

• A fully demonstrated and guided full-body, 40-minute Swedish massage routine for your dog

• Dedicated time for self-guided practice, with tutors and assistants from the Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner Programme available to answer questions and provide support

• Guidance to help ensure you leave feeling confident, competent, and comfortable performing the massage techniques at home