How to Give a Dog a Head Massage

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How to Give a Dog a Head Massage

Easy

10 - 15 Minutes

1 Week

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Introduction

Massage your dog’s head! Isn't that what petting is for? Well, not exactly, while your dog may love to have his head stroked and petted, massaging his head utilizes focused techniques to relax the head, neck, and facial muscles, organs, and tissues, to benefit your dog's health.

While we traditionally think of massage as being about the back, body, and limbs, remember that the head contains muscles as well as your dog’s brain, eyes, ears, glands, teeth, gums, sinuses, and multiple nerves and blood vessels that can all benefit from increased blood flow provided by massage. The muscles in the head, neck, and face, are just as susceptible to tension, knots, and spasms as muscles elsewhere in the body. Stimulating pressure points on the head, neck, and ears can also provide benefits elsewhere in the body, as nerves from the cranial area connect throughout your dog’s body. Massaging your dogs head can help relieve stress, anxiety, and fatigue and provide overall health benefits.

Dog's Perspective

Most dogs love to be massaged; they love the attention and, let's face it, being massaged usually feels pretty good. You will, however, need to be gentle and introduce your dog gradually to being touched in sensitive areas. When people get a massage, we understand why pressure is being applied to a sensitive spot, but your dog does not understand what is happening and it’s pretty hard to explain it to him. You will want to avoid causing your dog discomfort and introduce pressure and touching in areas that are unfamiliar to him in a slow, confident, manner so he feels comfortable with the process, especially in the sensitive head region.

The Improve Circulation Method

Effective

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Step

Massage top of head

Massage the top of your dog’s head with your fingertips to stimulate the skin and nerves and increase blood circulation in the top of the head.

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Stimulate facial area

Tap lightly on your dog’s face to stimulate the brain and increase blood circulation.

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Stimulate ears

Lightly pull ear flaps and massage them to increase circulation. Rotate flaps and manipulate them to open the ear canal and improve air circulation. Cup the base of the ear with your hand and move hands in a circular motion in both directions. Finish by gently gliding fingers down the ear flaps.

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Apply pressure above sinuses

Apply light pressure with thumbs to the bridge of the nose and above the eyes to open up sinus cavities.

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Massage mouth area

Gently rub gums to improve circulation and improve oral health. Massage and run fingers along muzzle the back of the jaw and under your dog’s chin and down his neck where there are major blood vessels and jaw muscles.

The Work Out Tight Spots Method

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Relax head

Gently massage behind the ears with two fingers then cup your dog's head and encourage him to stretch it forward to relax his head.

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Apply pressure behind ears

Palpate behind the ears pressing upwards with your thumb. If you find a knot gently apply direct pressure. Vary between applying gentle and firmer pressure.

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Massage back of neck

Gently cup your dogs head and knead tissue on the neck with your fingers, starting with gentle pressure and increasing to medium and heavier pressure. When you find a knot or spasm apply direct pressure.

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Use palm of hand

Using the palm of your hand, apply light pressure, rotating your palm and moving all over the top of head, and back of the neck area. Vary pressure with your palm, if you find spasms apply direct pressure.

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Gently stroke

End by gently stroking your dog’s neck and head to relax your dog and increase circulation.

Caution & Considerations

Wash hands before massaging your dog’s face, as smells can irritate or distract your dog. Also, you don't want to contaminate eyes or ears.
Make sure your dog is relaxed before massaging, take him for a walk or play with him to burn off excess energy.
Distract your dog with a chew toy if necessary while working on your dog’s head and neck, to gain cooperation.
Do not apply too firm pressure on sensitive spots, to avoid injuring tissues, putting pressure on nerves, or causing discomfort to your dog.

Conclusion

Your dog's head may not be the first place you think of massaging him, but think of all the important sensory organs, blood flow, muscles, and nerves that are located in your dog's head and neck area. A massage to this area is relaxing for your dog and can provide benefits all over his body. Massaging improves blood circulation, which is important where delicate sense organs are located in the ears, eyes, and nose. Don't forget the mouth and gums that can benefit from improved circulation, and the jaw muscles, which can become tight with stress or chewing activity. A massage of your dogs head and face will be much appreciated with many benefits.