glownatural
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I apologize in advance for my lack of vocabulary in this subject.
My mom breeds and shows Australian Terriers (I would post a link to her website, but they are currently re-doing it). So... I am going to visit, and she is getting ready for a dog show. She asked me to work on the dog she will be showing. Now, I will say, I give all of her dogs (and dogs she handles, when they are around) little massages every month when I visit.
So, the main thing she is concerned about is the "topline". Since these are little dogs, but also tenacious terriers, when they play rough or jump from couches and chairs... They develop kind of a kink along the spine... so the topline is not flat from shoulder to hip. The breed standard says they should be pretty straight. Now, this kink is not super pronounced, but I can see it when comparing to the other dogs.
Mainly, I just use my fingers and thumbs down the lamina groove. I start just above the shoulders, and just fiction along the spine, feeling for the kinks and just working them. Usually it only takes a few minutes (less than 10) and when it's done, I can see the results.
What I really want to know is if there is something specific I should be working on. Should I spend time also working abdominal muscles? Is the technique I'm using correct/appropriate? Are there some techniques I can use that will affect longer lasting results? I usually work while the dog is standing, should I have them lie down?
I respect what you guys do, and I understand if you don't think you can share specific information on techniques with me. But any advice would be greatly appreciated.
My mom breeds and shows Australian Terriers (I would post a link to her website, but they are currently re-doing it). So... I am going to visit, and she is getting ready for a dog show. She asked me to work on the dog she will be showing. Now, I will say, I give all of her dogs (and dogs she handles, when they are around) little massages every month when I visit.
So, the main thing she is concerned about is the "topline". Since these are little dogs, but also tenacious terriers, when they play rough or jump from couches and chairs... They develop kind of a kink along the spine... so the topline is not flat from shoulder to hip. The breed standard says they should be pretty straight. Now, this kink is not super pronounced, but I can see it when comparing to the other dogs.
Mainly, I just use my fingers and thumbs down the lamina groove. I start just above the shoulders, and just fiction along the spine, feeling for the kinks and just working them. Usually it only takes a few minutes (less than 10) and when it's done, I can see the results.
What I really want to know is if there is something specific I should be working on. Should I spend time also working abdominal muscles? Is the technique I'm using correct/appropriate? Are there some techniques I can use that will affect longer lasting results? I usually work while the dog is standing, should I have them lie down?
I respect what you guys do, and I understand if you don't think you can share specific information on techniques with me. But any advice would be greatly appreciated.