Time for Pooch Canine Massage

How are your dogs reacting in the heat? Toffee would like to lay out in full sun and snooze all day but given she’s not allowed to do that she is happy just snoozing in her bed.

We go for a paddle in the brook 2/3 times a day to cool down but she has not asked for a walk once.

I just wish I had the freedom to snooze all day!!

I’ve not walked my dogs since Monday because of this heat.

It’s now Thursday.
And do you know what they’ve done?
They’ve slept. That’s it.

And I’m not sat here thinking…

“Oh my God, my dogs are bored. I need to entertain them. I need to do something with them. I need to keep them occupied.”

Nope!

They’re animals.
They already know what to do.

When it’s hot, they rest.

But humans struggle with that.

We feel like we have to be doing something all the time, and then we put that onto the dog.

"The dog needs a walk.”
"The dog must be bored.”
"The dog needs something to do.”

Does it really?

Or are you just feeling guilty because you haven’t done what you normally do?

Because dogs aren’t laid at the gate thinking…

"Come on mate, take me out. I want to smell the dandelions and watch the sunset.”

That’s human thinking.

For the dog. The walk represents the hunt.
To fill that belly.

That's why you get rodents moving around your garden at night.

They’re not out there having a nice little evening stroll. They’re just looking for a meal.

But your dogs food comes in a bag.

So if it’s too hot, calm the f**k down.
Let the dog rest.

And stop thinking you need to replace a walk with more excitement/entertainment.

Sometimes the most natural thing a dog can do…

Is doing absolutely f**k all.

Top tips from Conor on coping with the heat. Hydrate is up there on the list but interestingly he says don’t add water to food but keep separate.

🐾☀️ Why Dogs with Inflammation Can Struggle More in a Heatwave ☀️🐾

When we think about hot weather, we often focus on keeping our dogs cool and hydrated. But did you know that dogs with arthritis, joint problems, or other inflammatory conditions may find heatwaves particularly challenging?

🔥 Inflammation creates heat within the body. One of the key signs of inflammation is increased blood flow to affected tissues, which generates warmth as part of the body's natural response.

This means dogs with chronic inflammation are often coping with:
• The heat outside 🌡️
• The heat generated within their own bodies 🔥

At the same time, many of these dogs are less mobile, making them less likely to move to a cooler spot or seek out water when they need it.

💧 Hydration becomes even more important.

For dogs with arthritis or inflammation, try:
✔ Adding water to kibble meals
✔ Offering fresh water in multiple locations
✔ Providing ice cubes or frozen dog-safe treats
✔ Using paddling pools or gentle water play for cooling and enrichment
✔ Encouraging rest in cool, shaded areas

As a canine massage therapist, I often see how hydration, alongside appropriate movement and bodywork, can help support comfort and wellbeing in dogs dealing with chronic inflammatory conditions.

If your dog is older, arthritic, or recovering from injury, keep a particularly close eye on them during this heatwave. Sometimes small changes can make a big difference to their comfort. ❤️🐾

Does your dog love ice cubes, paddling pools, or frozen treats? Share their favourite way to stay cool below! ⬇️

🐾💙

🐾 Keeping Dogs Hydrated During the Heatwave ☀️💧

When the weather heats up, it's not always enough to simply put out a bowl of water and hope for the best. Many dogs—especially seniors and those dealing with arthritis, inflammation, or other chronic conditions—may not drink enough to meet their increased hydration needs.

Here are some simple ways to encourage your dog to take in more fluids during a heatwave:

💧 Provide multiple water stations
Place fresh water bowls in several locations around your home and garden. The easier water is to access, the more likely your dog is to drink regularly.

🧊 Add ice cubes to water bowls
Many dogs enjoy playing with and licking ice cubes, turning hydration into a fun activity. You can even freeze low-salt bone broth into ice cubes for an extra treat.

🐕 Make water play part of the day
Paddling pools, sprinklers, and gentle hose play can help dogs cool down while encouraging them to drink during and after play sessions.

🥣 Boost moisture in meals
Particularly important if feeding dry kibble. Make sure to add water to food or offer moisture-rich foods.

🍉 Offer dog-safe hydrating treats
Frozen pieces of cucumber, watermelon (seedless), or specially made frozen dog treats can provide both hydration and cooling relief.

🚶 Carry water on walks
Even short walks in warm weather can increase fluid loss through panting. Take a portable water bottle and bowl wherever you go.

🌳 Encourage regular rest breaks
Dogs often become distracted by play and activity. Frequent breaks in the shade with access to water can help prevent dehydration.

For older dogs and those with inflammatory conditions, staying well hydrated is particularly important. Water supports circulation, joint health, nutrient delivery, and helps the body cope with the additional stress that heat places on already sensitive tissues.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and give your dogs plenty of opportunities to drink throughout the day. ❤️🐾

Wow! “Almost all the parasiticides that are preventatively applied to pets are unnecessary."

The article goes on to explain not only are they necessary to dogs but they are also damaging the environment. Chemicals in flea and tick prevention have been banned for agricultural use due to their levels of toxicity. And yet someone thought they were ok to use in our beloved pets.

The article is well worth a read, not only will it save you money but it will help your dog live a healthier life.

Two parasiticides found in most spot-on treatments to kill fleas and ticks on cats and dogs have been flagged as toxic to wildlife by some scientists.

Read more: https://bbc.in/3RQLXk9

Meet the lovely Poacher, he has been having regular massages to help with age related stiffness.

He was particularly chilled today and allowed me to give him a lovely deep massage. There was a lot of snoring, and it looked like he was staying for the day - he was most reluctant to move at the end of the session!!

Massage is great for older dogs
🐾it helps get the circulation going and move inflammation out of the joints,

🐾it reduces stiffness and improves the flow of synovial fluid making daily movement easier

🐾Regular massage also helps reduce cortisol levels thereby lowering pain sensitivity.

All this leads to a happier dog 🐕

People keep asking me how young Toffee is doing and the answer is - she is doing really well.

Now 9 months old she has calmed down a lot, thankfully, I couldn't have go on much longer as we were! 🧘‍♀️

👑She is the queen of wiggles and everyone is greeted VERY enthusiastically with a wiggle wiggle wiggle!

Her crate is needed less and less these days as she has moved to a grown up a bed AND learnt not to chew it (after a couple of thwarted attempts!)

👩‍🌾She has proven herself to be an first class digger and our garden now features several very deep holes! I was thinking maybe she could get employment with a local gardener for hole digging??

She still steals things but her heart just isn't in it anymore. No longer are we chasing her round the garden to retrieve our glasses or TV remote! These days she steals insignificant things and drops them in her bed. 👓

That said she does have a naughty walk... if she comes in walking double speed you can guarantee there is something in her mouth that shouldn't be there 😂

🐄Cows aren't a problem, she walks quite happily through a field of cows without chasing which is important where we live.

🪰She is an excellent fly catcher which is going to be most welcome in the Hickling summer! No doubt there will be high demand for her services....

We still have plenty to work on, namely recall - nothing is more exciting than finding a dead thing out on a walk and then all recall goes out the window!

From a health perspective she is showing early signs of pain which we need to address so muscles are all being used properly, and not pulling on her joints.

All work in progress and we wouldn't be where we are today without the help of K7 - Dog Training Services. and Lily Moffatt Veterinary Physiotherapy, thanks Ladies. Thanks also to her first owner who made sure young Toffee knew nothing but love, it has made her the secure confident pup she is today.

I had a early morning visit from the lovely Rufus today. Ru sees me regularly to help with stiffness that comes from ageing. Today however he needed different approach.

⛈️Poor boy had been scared of the big storm we had in the early hours (and it was a cracker of a storm!) Consequently he was holding a lot of tension in his body and was unable to switch off and relax now the threat had passed.

Using a series of techniques from I worked deeply and gently with Ru to help his body relax and let go of the tension. He responded really well and was soon twitching in his sleep 💤 leaving me to address the areas of inflammation.

🧘Ru comes along with his doggy housemate Enya who is more then happy to just chill out in my room while Ru gets all the attention. Post massage its off for a stroll along the canal, ending with a sausage The old wharf tearoom. What's not to love!

If you need help calming your dog please give me a call to see how I can help.