Anyone involved in the world of Show Dogs understands that breed conformation and locomotion is an important element of your dog being Judged in the Ring.

Judges are looking for an ease of gait, with good reach, drive and economical ground coverage with ease of trotting, but often we may see stiffness, leg shift on the stand or shortness of stride or any of the gait irregularities termed below. Bone structure, muscle tone, smoothness of gait, a fine coat and excellent temperament all contribute to the judging, but how can massage help you to achieve the very best for your Show Dog?

By working on soft tissue, that is skin, connective tissue, muscles, tendons and ligaments, Canine Massage is able to:

• Improve gait and stride and stiffness issues
• Improve muscle tone and ensure muscles are balanced
• Increase blood flow to dermal layer of skin to encourage shiny, healthy coat
• Calms a nervous/anxious
• Relieve areas of soreness, tension, discomfort and spasm
• Improve the attentiveness and focus of your dog
• Provides a hands on check for muscles which may be overcompensating and producing unacceptable gait irregularities

If you see any of the following Canine Massage may be able to help your dog:
Roaching of the back
Stiffness
Leg Shift on the Stand
Nervous or Touch Shy
Lack Of Drive
Uneasy Gait
Unwilling to hold up neck to full extension
Compromised Top Line
Pinning – Front Paws meet at pastern when trotting
Hackneying – Feet collide when trotting
Crabbing – Back end moves out on a sideways bias
Paddling – Leg inclines outward, tight at elbow
Winging – Alignment broken at pasterns
Pacing - Using limbs together on same side rather than opposite diagonals eg: Wrong (pacing) – front left leg and drives off with hind left leg
Correct - front left leg and drives off from right hind leg