English Bulldog Massage

Your vet may be able to help you massage your dog in a firm and practical way, but for those who want to try it at home, here are some basic steps.

Make sure your dog is on a firm but soft surface, such as a carpeted floor. Starting at the head, gently move your hands in smooth, slow movements up to the tail.

As your dog begins to relax, you can gently rub around the ears, forehead, cheeks, under the chin, over the nose, and between the eyes.

In a gentle but firm circular motion, slowly lower yourself onto your neck, shoulders, and chest.

Feel the difference between the areas that have thick muscles under the fur, such as the chest, and the areas that have very little, such as the nose. You can use a stronger massage in the areas that have muscles, but it should be gentle on the areas that do not have them.

Starting at the top of the front leg, gently tighten the length a couple of times. If the dog is not afraid of being touched by its paws, you can gently massage the paw in a similar way to your own hand. Gently rubbing the padded areas and stroking from the wrist joint to the toenails.

Go back up to the neck and stroke from head to tail two or three times, with a firm hand. Imagine that the dog is wet and that you are trying to remove the water from its coat. Slow but firm strokes.

Now place your hands on the thickest muscles on either side of the spine and, in a strong circular motion, begin to work your way down the spine towards the base of the tail.

Going down, start at the thickest muscles in the chest and, using the same strong circular motions, massage towards the tail once more. This time massaging the outside of each thigh.

Gently squeeze the back legs as you did the front legs, massaging the back legs as well.

Finish by gently stroking the dog’s entire body, starting at the nose and working your way back to the tail. If the dog doesn’t mind, continue along the tail and each leg.