Dog Massage: A Whiskers-to-Tail Guide to Your Dog's Ultimate Petting Experience [Paperback]

Maryjean Ballner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2, 2001

Since we don't speak "Basic Bark," the best way to canine-communicate is through touch. Regular Dog Massage sessions give dogs the attention they crave and the affection they need, and the techniques explained in this book are designed to:

- Relax tense, overworked muscles
- Help puppies benefit from touch, especially during their prime socialization period
- Aid early detection of health problems
- Improve sociability and help calm a "Rowdy Rover"
- Promote cooperation during grooming and visits to the vet
- Enhance that loving bond between you and your dog

Recommended by veterinarians and dog experts, massage is an essential part of your pet's health care. Dog Massage gives you all the skills you need, including:

- Basic Massage Motions, Hand Positions, Speeds, Pressures and Moods
- Over 50 Massage Techniques from Whiskers to Tail
- Advanced Techniques and "White Glove Treatments"
- How to "Voice Massage"

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

For those who love dogs, licensed massage therapist Maryjean Ballner (Cat Massage) offers "upgraded petting that generates amazing results" in her new step-by-step, dog-approved, do-it-yourself Dog Massage: A Whiskers-to-Tail Guide to Your Dog's Ultimate Massage Experience. Intended specifically as a means of enhancing the relationship between dogs and their human friends (never try to give a massage to a strange dog, Ballner warns), this fully illustrated guide advises readers on various techniques (petting the pecs, thigh thumbing and the paw-claw caress) with cheerful encouragement, important cautions and tips on how to tell if a dog does not like a particular form of massage.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Ballner lives in San Mateo, CA, but is a New York State-licensed massage therapist. She has written this book, as well as one titled Cat Massage, to help people develop a stronger bond with their pets through touch. The reader is cautioned not to use these techniques on unfamiliar dogs and to seek appropriate veterinary care when required. Introductory chapters cover what dog massage is, various "no-no's," when and where to do massage, simplified anatomy and physiology, special considerations (such as senior dogs and post-surgical dogs), and important tools of the trade (hand parts, hand positions, motions, speed, pressure, and moods). Most of the text is devoted to specific massage techniques; arranged by area of the body, they are well defined and well illustrated. Each section is easy to read and understand, and each is accompanied by cautions. Done correctly, dog massage should be an enjoyable experience for both dog and owner. This book can be used by the average pet owner. Recommended where interest in dog books runs high.DEdell M. Schaefer, Brookfield P.L., WI
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (January 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312267274
• ISBN-13: 978-0312267278
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #250,628 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun and instructive guide to quality time with your dog!, January 23, 2005

By 

blair321 "blair" (Bay Area, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dog Massage: A Whiskers-to-Tail Guide to Your Dog's Ultimate Petting Experience (Paperback)

I gave this book to my friend, who adores her dog, and is in dog shows and competitions (Golden Retrievers)
She loves it.
She said it was fun to read, and she really is enjoying Maryjean Ballners techniques. They are well explained and easy to follow, with photos, showing the actual massages. I gave Maryjeans other book "Cat Massage" to another friend of mine, and he said all his neighbors are passing it around, and he hasn't even got a chance to read it yet!
So for me, these books make a great gift for my pet loving friends.

37 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Insipid and repetitive, September 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Dog Massage: A Whiskers-to-Tail Guide to Your Dog's Ultimate Petting Experience (Paperback)

The first 56 pages are repetitive lists of kitschy phrases like "no-mo" and "fast n'frisky," plus endless warnings to stop if your dog isn't interested or doesn't like it (especially fur ruffling!). Well, duh. It's really written for someone who doesn't know their canine "companion" very well at all (oh the irony), and it's completely goofy. Linda Tellington-Jones writes much better animal therapy books.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great guide to Dog Massage!, March 2, 2006

By 

Margaret H. Bonham "skywarrior" (Montana, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dog Massage: A Whiskers-to-Tail Guide to Your Dog's Ultimate Petting Experience (Paperback)

This is one of those books which should be on every dog owner's shelf. Dog Massage gives you a complete guide plus careful instructions for getting your dog used to massage and getting him to enjoy it. A real winner!