CANINE TOUCH

Developed by Jock Ruddock and Ivana Ruddock, MVDr., Canine Touch is a type of bodywork in which gentle movements are made across various areas of the body. The practitioner introduces vibrations into the tissue which responds with its own vibration. This is similar to the concept of Sympathetic Resonance in stringed instruments. If a string is plucked on one instrument, a nearby string in the same key will also begin vibrating. It is thought that setting up vibrations within the animal’s body plays an important role in healing.

Canine Touch also positively affects the nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system helps the body to respond to any situation that is perceived by the animal as being dangerous. When the body is stressed, a portion of the brain (the hypothalamus) sends messages to the adrenal and pituitary glands, causing them to produce hormones. These hormones are released into the bloodstream, supporting the animal in springing into action. Canine Touch supports this system by interrupting the fight or flight response. An animal caught in a continuous cycle of fight or flight can experience decreased immune function, due to the constant presence of the stress hormone Cortisol in the body.

Cells are the basic building blocks of the body and their health has a direct bearing on the health of the entire organism. When Canine Touch movements are made across tissue, the nervous system is triggered to activate neural (nerve) pathways in the brain. This increases cellular health by encouraging the circulation of blood and lymph.

The success of Canine Touch continues to increase exponentially. Therapists working in a variety of areas find it invaluable in their work.

                                                                  

                                                       AERIAL DANCERS

Dusk was falling, and it seemed that time was suspended. The concerns of the day were

past and the ones of tomorrow didn’t exist yet. Reveling in the moment, I settled in to

watch the evening’s performance of the aerial dancers. Looking up into the warm spring

sky, I watched the dancers twist and turn, changing directions in midair as they sped

forward and back, up and down. The bats were coming out to feed!

I have always been an advocate of bat conservation—not only are they fascinating

but as the earth warms, insects are becoming more and more plentiful. Bats feed on

hundreds of thousands of tons of insects yearly. If you don’t enjoy mosquitoes buzzing

around you—then employ the most environmentally safe and effective way to rid

yourself of them—bats! All four types of bats in central Virginia are insect eaters and can

consume 600 to 1,000 mosquitoes per hour.

Bats are integral to pest control and maintaining a healthy environment. You can ensure

they stay around to keep the mosquitoes in check by providing a bat house

where they will roost during the day. Depending upon the species, bats will either

hibernate or migrate south during the winter.

                                                                      Photo Credit: Hitchhike

Bat Conservation International ( www.batcon.org ) has instructions on how to build a bat

house and also offers them for sale. If you prefer to buy a bat house from a retail outlet,

check to make sure that it is a certified bat house—bats have specific needs for roosting.

Bat Conservation International enables one to peek into the world of bats by way of a

webcam mounted inside a bat roost. Go to the website and you can enter this exciting

world!

According to M. Brock Fenton, professor of Biology and Bat Echolocation; bats produce

a variety of vocalizations: squeaks and squawks that they make to other members of the

colony while roosting; calls that mothers and young make to each other, and sounds that

bats produce to defend their feeding territory.

Last but not least, is a high-frequency vocalization known as echolocation. These

sounds are inaudible to us. Yet echolocation allows bats to “see” with

their ears.

This discovery was made in the 1700’s by Lazarro Spallanzani, an Italian scientist. It

was not until the 1930’s that it was proven by Harvard researcher Donald Griffin when he

coined the term echolocation to describe how bats emit high-frequency calls through their

nostrils or voice-box that bounce off objects and return to them, informing them where the

object is located. This explains how bats are able to catch insects in midair and turn on

much less than a dime! This is also why bats cannot get caught in a person’s hair. Their

navigational abilities are far too exact to make such an error.

Little Brown Myotis

However, bat vocalizations can be heard with the aid of bat detectors. These are

microphones that are sensitive to high-pitched sounds. Bat detectors are used to

identify bats by the sounds they emit, much like birdwatchers identify birds by their

songs. The rate of a bat’s call changes as it gets closer and closer to its target—perhaps a

June Beetle or a moth. If you watch a bat under a streetlight with the aid of a bat detector,

you will notice that the calls begin at a higher frequency and sweep down to a lower one.

As the bat gets closer to its target, the calls become shorter and shorter. This entire

process takes less than half a second.

Bats belong to the order Chiroptera, which is subdivided into two suborders:

Microchiroptera and Megachiroptera. The bats in central Virginia are

Microchiropterans—which are small insect-eating bats. The Big Brown Bat (Eptisicus

fuscus), the Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus), the Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus

borealis), and the Eastern Pipstrelle (Pipistrellus subflavus) are the four species native to

this area. They can be observed both in rural and suburban areas. Look for them in fields

and wooded areas—often around bodies of water where insects congregate, or while

taking a walk at dusk.

All four species are active during the spring, summer, and some until the early fall. All

hibernate during the winter, except the Eastern Red bat. Interestingly, only some of the

Eastern Pipistrelles hibernate—others of the same species will migrate during the winter.

Young are born during June or July. Bats give birth to delicate, helpless babies who

depend upon their mother for all their needs. Unfortunately, bats produce on average

only 1-2 young per season, which places them in a precarious position as development

destroys many of the caves, tree hollows, rocky outcroppings, and old buildings where

they would normally roost and raise their young. This is another reason why bat houses

are so vital to the welfare of these delicate animals.

Eastern Pipstrelle

 NEAR INFRARED and INFRARED LIGHT THERAPY

Light has been used in healing capacities for quite some time—records have been found of it being used in Ancient Egypt.

Kjpargeter, courtesy of Freepik

The near-infrared and infrared lights are composed of wavelengths invisible to the human eye. These wavelengths penetrate the skin and work on a cellular level. The light vibrates at the same frequency as healthy cells and encourages damaged cells to increase their vibration. The longer wavelengths penetrate deepest into the body into the cells of muscles, joints and bone. IR and NIR can be quite helpful in a wide range of conditions which include, but are not limited to:

• Stifle (knee) issues

• Chronic pain

•  Muscle spasms

• Muscle tension

• Immune system issues (autoimmune, respiratory and other systemic infections)

• Increasing the rate of healing incisions or abrasions

• Shock

• Arthritis

• And more
  

The vibration of the light also stimulates the mitochondria of the cell. This is a part of the cell that can be considered the powerhouse because it provides energy to the cell. The molecule Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is located inside the mitochondria. ATP releases energy and increases blood flow to the area targeted by the red light. Application of the light also causes protein to be synthesized, releases endorphins and serotonin into the body. In addition, it is helpful in encouraging collagen to be produced. 

 Ethereal Beings

One April day I opened my front door and my attention was immediately drawn to loud munching coming from the vine directly in front of me. I stared at the source of the sound, willing the culprit who was devouring the vine to become visible. Nothing. The sound continued unabated. I was puzzled. Why couldn’t I see the guilty party, when the source of the sound was literally right under my nose? He didn’t even try to carry out his work stealthily, but undaunted by my presence—continued his loud, defiant munching. As the minutes ticked by, I became more and more determined to find out just who or what was making the sound.

As I peered into the tangled network of leaves, I spied a small furry head with what appeared to be button-sized ears moving rhythmically with the munching. What I thought to be ears unfurled and became two feathery antennae. I could hardly believe it—yes it was! I realized that I was witnessing a moth chewing its way out of the cocoon. And not just any moth, but the stunning Luna Moth. This is the moth that has earned the moniker “Kings and Queens of the Night” because they are so stunning.

My attention still firmly fixed on the vine, I gazed in open-mouthed amazement as a pink and green body appeared with two tiny crumpled wings. As mere seconds passed, more of the moth’s body appeared until a good six inches were visible. This was shaping up to be an ENORMOUS moth—what was happening?

Next, the moth climbed up to a twig a few inches above its former home. Immediately the length of its body shortened to about four inches. What a trick! This happens because the moth pumps fluid from its body into its wings. After 20-60 minutes, the wings reach their full size. The Luna spends an additional few hours clinging to a twig and       drying its wings.                                                        Luna moth with purple edging on                                                                                                             wings

In the space of a few hours the tiny crumpled wings became works of art. Each one measures up to 2-1/2 inches in width—that means a 5 inch wingspan!! The wings end in long tails— like a gentleman’s coattails--that extend beyond the moth’s body. They are a deep lime green—so green that you could get lost in the wide expanse of color. A margin of pink, magenta, purple or yellow outlines each wing.

                                       Luna moth with magenta edging on wings,

                                       resting on a boot

                                      Photo credit:Wikiphotos

Each one carries a life insurance policy. It is in the form of a large transparent spot with a dark border that broadcasts to potential predators that the moths will taste nasty if eaten.

By nightfall the wings are dry and the Luna is ready to fly off in search of love. As with all moths, Lunas are most active at night.

The feathery antennae are well adapted to picking up scents called pheromones which are chemicals emitted by moths to broadcast their gender and help them to find a mate. Luna moths can detect mates from as much as a mile away.

                                          

                                                     Close-up of feathery antenna

Photo credit: Mike McCaffrey GFDL-WITH-DISCLAIMERS; Released under the GNU Free Documentation License.

They will live for one week.

During her last week the female Luna busies herself laying eggs that will mature into caterpillars. The caterpillars that aren’t picked off by predators will pull leaves together and spin a cocoon around themselves. In 2-3 weeks they will emerge to begin their lives as stunning Luna moths. Which brings us back to that sunny April day on my porch!

Jill Deming

Canine Therapy Services

jilldeming8@gmail.com

 Ethereal Beings of the Night

One April day I opened my front door and my attention was immediately drawn to loud munching coming from the vine directly in front of me. I stared at the source of the sound, willing the culprit who was devouring the vine to become visible. Nothing. The sound continued unabated. I was puzzled. Why couldn’t I see the guilty party, when the source of the sound was literally right under my nose? He didn’t even try to carry out his work stealthily, but undaunted by my presence—continued his loud, defiant munching. As the minutes ticked by, I became more and more determined to find out just who or what was making the sound.

As I peered into the tangled network of leaves, I spied a small furry head with what appeared to be button-sized ears moving rhythmically with the munching. What I thought to be ears unfurled and became two feathery antennae. I could hardly believe it—yes it was! I realized that I was witnessing a moth chewing its way out of the cocoon. And not just any moth, but the stunning Luna Moth. This is the moth that has earned the moniker “Kings and Queens of the Night” because they are so stunning.

My attention still firmly fixed on the vine, I gazed in open mouthed amazement as a pink and green body appeared with two tiny crumpled wings. As mere seconds passed, more of the moth’s body appeared until a good six inches were visible. This was shaping up to be an ENORMOUS moth—what was happening?

Next, the moth climbed up to a twig a few inches above its former home. Immediately the length of its body shortened to about four inches. What a trick! This happens because the moth pumps fluid from its body into its wings. After 20-60 minutes, the wings reach their full size. The Luna spends an additional few hours clinging to a twig and drying its wings.

In the space of a few hours the tiny crumpled wings became works of art. Each one measures up to 2-1/2 inches in width—that means a 5 inch wingspan!! The wings end in long tails— like a gentleman’s coattails--that extend beyond the moth’s body. They are a deep lime green—so green that you could get lost in the wide expanse of color. A margin of pink, magenta, purple or yellow outlines each wing.

Each one carries a life insurance policy. It is in the form of a large transparent spot with a dark border that broadcasts to potential predators that the moths will taste nasty if eaten.

By nightfall the wings are dry and the Luna is ready to fly off in search of love. As with all moths, Lunas are most active at night.

The feathery antennae are well adapted to picking up scents called pheromones which are chemicals emitted by moths to broadcast their gender and help them to find a mate. Luna moths can detect mates from as much as a mile away.

They will live for one week.

During her last week the female Luna busies herself laying eggs that will mature into caterpillars. The caterpillars that aren’t picked off by predators will pull leaves together and spin a cocoon around themselves. In 2-3 weeks they will emerge to begin their lives as stunning Luna moths. Which brings us back to that sunny April day on my porch!

 

HARBINGERS of SPRING

It was mid February and I was out for a walk on a snowy and cold monochromatic day that seemed to defy movement and color. Everything was still—so still. Suddenly out of the corner of my eye I caught an impression of deep blue as several blurs of movement flashed past me. Five male Virginia Bluebirds, resplendent in their cobalt blue topcoats and tails They were busy scouting out appropriate territory for their ladies to nest in. 

In a few weeks the women will arrive. When they do, the males will sing and sing in an attempt to attract a female to their nesting site, and to keep other males out. If the female feels that the selected nesting site is suitable, by April she will begin the arduous task of building a nest. Comprised of dry grass or pine needles, the nest is shaped like a cup.

Photo courtesy of Skyler Ewing
Male Eastern Bluebird

Each day the female lays a single egg, until three to six are nestled snugly in the nest. Usually the eggs are a delicate turquoise, but sometimes are white. Once all the eggs are laid, she begins incubating them. She is a very conscientious mother, and exhibits great devotion to her task. In twelve to fourteen days the eggs begin to hatch

Photo courtesy of Skyler Ewing
Eastern Bluebird Eggs

Each day the male and female are kept busy stuffing hundreds of fat juicy insects into the mouths of the ravenous young.  Eighteen to twenty-one days after hatching, the baby birds are ready to leave the nest (fledge). The male continues to care for them, teaching them to hunt for insects. The female begins building another nest prior to laying eggs again. This will be her second brood. Depending upon the availability of food and other factors, there may even be a third brood! The bluebird nesting season can extend from the middle of April through the end of July.

Bluebirds are timid birds that will always acquiesce to other birds when there is competition for a nesting site. This factor and the existence of urban sprawl has contributed to their precarious population levels. This is why bluebirds need our help during nesting season. Providing them with a place to nest helps to ensure their population level.

Bluebirds prefer open spaces, such as open (not wooded) yards and pastures. Place a bluebird nest box in a location that is nearby (50 to l00 feet) a tree or shrub so that the fledglings can easily reach it when they first leave the nest box. If the tree hangs over the box, predators can easily drop onto the box., retrieving eggs or young. Raccoons, Opossums, snakes, Ravens and cats are just a few of the predators bluebirds face. Nest boxes must be placed on a metal pole (not a fencepost or tree) 4-6 feet above ground, and fitted with a predator guard to provide the bluebirds with protection. Bluebird nest boxes are available at “Wild Birds Unlimited” in Central Park, but if you prefer to make your own, the Virginia Bluebird Society has simple box designs at: www.geocities.com/virginiabluebirds. It is important to have the nest box in place by early February or sooner. Otherwise, the bluebirds may not find it in time for their nesting needs.

 Photo courtesy of CheepShot, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Male(L) and female (R) Eastern bluebirds

Virginia Bluebirds usually do not migrate and travel together in flocks when not nesting. During the winter they will often roost together in empty tree cavities, which are becoming increasingly harder to find as urban sprawl continues to spread. Sometimes as many as 10-15 birds can be found roosting together, in an attempt to conserve body heat. Another benefit of nest boxes is that the bluebirds will often roost in them during cold nights.

Bluebirds are adaptable in their diet—they prefer insects, but will eat berries during the cold winter months when insects aren’t available. They will not eat seed, but are very interested in mealworms. Why feed mealworms you say?  Feeding mealworms can entice reluctant birds to use the nest box. However, this is only a supplementary food and should not be fed more than once or twice a day. Suet and fruit are also important to offer at all times. And remember water—not only do the birds need it for drinking, but bathing in it keeps their feathers clean and in proper alignment for flying. Provide them with a shallow dish of water in an area several hundred feet from brush so that predators cannot hide and pounce on an unsuspecting bird. 

Now that the bluebirds are getting ready to nest, I know that there is hope. Winter is winding down and spring can’t be far behind!

 HOW MASSAGE and BODYWORK INCREASE HEALING from CRANIAL                       CRANIAL CRUCIATE SURGERY

 One sunny Saturday morning Solo and Mike were returning from a walk. Solo trotted along and gently waved his plumed tail, tennis ball proudly held in his mouth. Periodically he would drop it and Mike would bend down and pick it up, only to have Solo anxiously begging for it.

“I’ll only give it to you if you hold onto it this time” Mike remonstrated.

Solo responded with a wide grin and frenzied tail-wagging. Mike proffered the tennis ball and Solo enthusiastically grabbed it out of his hand.

Once they reached home, Mike noticed that Solo was oddly moving. He would hold up his right hind leg, only briefly touching his toes to the ground. After several days of this, Mike took Solo to the veterinarian. 

 Solo had ruptured his cranial cruciate ligament. The cranial cruciate ligament attaches the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia). Its primary role is to support the knee (stifle) during movement. If this ligament is partially or completely torn (ruptured) this results in pain and instability. In an earlier article, I mentioned that Cranial Cruciate ruptures are a contributing factor in the development of arthritis. 

On the left, the diagram shows an intact Caudal Cruciate Ligament. On the right, it has ruptured.

A Cruciate rupture is a condition that requires you to contact your veterinarian immediately. If your dog has a simple tear, it can tear further and further with any additional movement. A complete tear (rupture) requires surgery, whereas a partial tear may not.

Following surgery to restore the mechanics of Solo’s leg the veterinarian suggested a series of home exercises (and in some cases canine rehabilitation) to return Solo to his former activity level. Find out if Canine Rehabilitation would be helpful for your dog's recuperation by clicking here.

Massage and Bodywork were both a part of Solo’s recovery. Massage stimulated his body to produce chemicals that would increase the quality and speed of healing.

Candace Pert, PhD., in her book, Molecules of Emotion shows how a waterfall of chemicals is released when touch receptors in the body are stimulated. When skin receptors are touched, they transmit messages to the brain. Once the brain receives these messages it initiates the production of chemicals that feed major body systems such as the blood, muscles, nerve cells, tissues, and organs.

Massage is a vehicle that stimulates the skin receptors and releases the chemicals necessary for the body’s optimum performance. The scar tissue that results from surgery is necessary to restore stability to the stifle (knee). Scar tissue left unaddressed can cause many problems in the dog’s body. This is because as the incisions begin to heal,  the body sends many types of cells swarming to the site. The body is unable to lay the cells down in an organized fashion and they end up being distributed willy-nilly, in bunches and clumps.  To get them to lay down in an organized fashion, fascial work (CranioSacral, Myofascial Release) is necessary.

As Solo’s leg was healing, various parts of his body were stressed as he compensated for his inability to move as he had previously. This created a dysfunctional movement that was imprinted in his fascia. 

Fascia is a bodystocking of connective tissue that exists from the brain to the toes. It exists just under the skin and extends three-dimensionally throughout the body. Fascia surrounds every muscle, bone, organ, and all other structures and innervates many of them. Visualize grabbing an area of your T-shirt. Now notice how surrounding areas are also affected. In your dog’s body, as time goes on more and more areas of the fascia will become affected unless you intervene. If this compensation is not addressed, it becomes increasingly debilitating and the dog has difficulty functioning.  

 Scar Work

Another benefit of bodywork is to increase movement. Untreated scars can reduce the ability to move the body optimally, by adhering to the fascia. Scar work can help scars to release so that mobility can be increased. If the dog has more than one scar on the body, the scars tend to grow toward each other, further restricting movement in the area of the body affected. Bodywork can interrupt this process and restore mobility.

Fascia is the bodystocking found just under the skin and exists 3-dimensionally throughout the body.

                                                                                                                                           

All cells in the body which comprise organs and other structures, emit an electrical charge. The electricity in the body is necessary for optimum health. Scars interfere with the transmission of electrical waves. Bodywork can help to interrupt this damaging process, aiding in re-establishing optimum flow. Massage and Bodywork are two extremely accessible tools that provide a myriad of benefits in healing.

Benefits of massage include:

•  Produces beneficial chemicals that nourish organ systems, increasing the quality of healing.

Fascial work (Craniosacral Therapy and Myofascial Release) addresses the following:

• Aids in laying down cells (that will form scar tissue) in an organized fashion

• Increases movement where the scar is located

• Frees adhesions in fascia and promotes movement in adjacent areas

As your dog recovers from cruciate surgery, you will find massage and bodywork helpful tools to get him or her on the road to recovery.

• Re-establishes electrical flow that has been interrupted by the presence of the scar

For more information, please contact Jill Deming at jilldeming8@gmail.com

Common Imbalances in the Canine Body

Common Imbalances in the Canine Body

Nowadays it has become commonplace to see dogs who have developed imbalances in their bodies which can result in dysfunctions. Simply walking down the street it is easy to spot them. To illustrate what I am referring to I have drawn arrows on the body of the Chocolate Lab in the photo below and will explain what you are seeing.

When a dog's lower back is raised it may indicate that the dog has tight muscles on either side of the spine. Notice that in his right front leg his elbow is slightly turned out, not in line with the leg (pointing toward his hind leg) as it should be.

The majority of these issues can be addressed with massage and bodywork. They are great preventatives for active dogs. Issues can be addressed as they arise, nipping them in the bud before they become a problem. Below I'll touch on some issues that I see most frequently. I have separated them into physical, neurological (specifically, nerves constricted by tight muscles and fascia) and behavioral categories to provide a view of the dog as a whole.

BACK:

Lordosis is a curvature of the spine that is usually an inherited condition. The back sags in the middle (thoracic region). This is due to dysfunction in the spine and puts undue pressure on the hip, shoulder and back muscles. In contrast, a "roached back" can be observed when the lower back (lumbar region) arches up. The back muscles and those in the hindquarters are usually quite stressed. Although both these conditions can be congenital, they are often the result of trauma or a dog trying to find pain relief by taking weight off the back muscles.

In this photo, if you draw a straight line between the dots they should be even but they aren't. This is due to imbalances in the limbs and the resulting effort by the dog to compensate. This results in dysfunctional movement. He holds his head slightly cocked to the left, indicating a problem with the occiput (knob of bone at the base of the skull). It is jammed on the left, whereas there is more space on the right side

STIFFNESS:

Massage and Bodywork are very effective in alleviating joint pain, increasing blood flow and carrying oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. Shaking of the hind legs—especially in senior dogs can be a sign that not enough blood flow is getting to those muscles.

TRIGGER POINTS:

 Trigger points are muscle fibers that have constricted into a taut band within the muscle. As the muscle and fascia (tissue directly under the skin which encompasses all internal structures from head to toe) tighten, nerve endings in the muscle will be squeezed more and more. Left untreated, this can result in muscle atrophy (loss of muscle).

FASCIAL DYSFUNCTION:

The fascia is a body stocking that exists just below the skin and extends from the nose to the tip of the tail. It extends 3-dimensionally down through the body, encompassing all structures within the body. Trauma to the body can result in physical changes to the fascia that will be transmitted to additional areas of the fascia if left untreated. Massage and bodywork can help restore function.  For more information on fascia, visit my blog.

SCARS:

All organs in the body emit an electrical charge. This is true of scars as well. When there are 2 or more scars on the body they will grow towards each other. When the scar tissue connects with another scar on the body the scars bind together, reducing muscle flexibility by up to 50%, resulting in restricted movement. Another problem scars pose in the body is that their presence interrupts the electrical charge of other organs, disrupting the body's optimum performance. Bodywork can effectively turn off the electrical charge of scars, improving the dog's ability to function.

PAIN:

Continual panting and pacing can often be signs of pain.

DOGS THAT APPEAR WELL-MUSCLED:

Rock-solid muscles are extremely unhealthy. The muscles have become shortened and contracted. This is often seen in Bully breeds.

MOVEMENT ISSUES:

•  A dog who limps

•  Is hesitant to jump onto an object

•  If you see excessive movement in a dog’s hindquarters as they walk away from you,

that can be a sign of pelvic or hip issues

•  Holding the head low is often a sign of lameness before it appears in the gait

•  Cannot move the head as far to one side as on the other side

• Wagging the tail more on one side than the other often indicates a problem in the pelvis

There are imbalances in the left side of the body. On that side the skull is higher than on the right, beneath it the left side of the neck bulges out which indicates that the left side of the neck is thrown into compensation for the left side of the skull. To continue with the body's attempt at compensation the left shoulder is higher than the right and the left ribcage is thrust to the left. The tail is resting to the left, which points to a pelvic imbalance on that side. In an attempt to accommodate the dysfunctions in his body, this dog sits with the left foot forward and his right hip on the ground.

Skeletal issues:

Dogs who sit with their knees pointing forward are sitting in a way that is most correct for their bodies.

Photo by Jorge Zapata on Unsplash 

 Dogs who do the lazy/puppy/sloppy sit (sitting with the foot of one hind leg on the ground and the knee pointing forward) and the other hind leg is bent with the thigh resting on the ground and the knee pointing to the side). This can be seen in the Pug on the left. It is normal in puppies due to loose connective tissue but may indicate back, hip or knee problems in dogs two years and older.

Photo by Justin Aikin on Unsplash 

Dogs who sit without their feet under their knees may also be showing signs of an issue. See the photo above. This puts pressure on the knees and hips and may result in problems in the future. Have the dog checked out by your veterinarian.

• Dogs who wag their tail more on one side than the other. This can indicate pelvic problems, which I work with. However, it can also indicate a neurological issue. In this case, a vet would need to be consulted. Afterward, it is helpful to have the dog evaluated by a canine rehabilitation specialist. For more information, see canine rehabilitation.

• Licking and chewing may frequently be an attempt to relieve internal pain such as Arthritis.
  

Behavioral Changes/Issues:

If behavioral changes occur, always contact your vet first to ensure that there are no underlying physical problems causing pain.

In this photo, if you draw a straight line between the dots they should be even but they aren't. This is due to imbalances in the limbs and the resulting effort by the dog to compensate. This results in dysfunctional movement. He holds his head slightly cocked to the left, indicating a problem with the occiput (knob of bone at the base of the skull). It is jammed on the left, whereas there is more space on the right side

BREED CONFORMATION:

      Breeds or mixes of breeds such as Chihuahuas that have a mouth too small to accommodate their tongue, frequently develop very tight muscles in the skull, jaw and cheek muscles.

• Shepherds with sloping backs develop issues in their backs, hips and shoulder muscles as they try to compensate for the angle of their lower back and hips.

• Long backed breeds such as Dachsunds and Corgis often develop tense back and hindquarter muscles to support their movement.

       Anxiety:

• By addressing the nervous system, bodywork helps the dog to slow down and move from the branch of the nervous system that supports fight or flight (the sympathethic) -- to the parasympathetic branch (rest and digest). The more frequently a dog with anxiety or fear moves into the parasympathetic system (which is a more peaceful state) an increasing number of nerve connections (neural pathways) are made in the brain which results in the peaceful state becoming stronger. This is accomplished by doing bodywork repeatedly so that the calmer state increasingly becomes part of the dog’s behavior. An additional benefit of bodywork for the anxious dog is stress reduction by reducing the amount of cortisol (a stress hormone) entering the bloodstream.

Now look at your dog. Does anything jump out at you?

                          For more information or to schedule an appointment,

                                 contact Jill Deming at jilldeming8@gmail.com