Touch between you and your dog is a phenomenally wonderful way to communicate and bond. While we agree that petting your dog is a wonderful expression of love and that touch feels good, the focused methods of touch with intent of massage brings a different level of communication and physiological reponses not attained with spontaneous petting.  Remember, our dogs learn and communicate through body language, senses and touch.  Tapping into these senses bring us into their world instead of us humans always trying to bring our dogs into ours.You will also learn how massaging your dog at home integrates with professional massage.

Introduction to Canine Massage
This basic hands-on class is the most fundamental, yet vital information you will gain in your quest into learning massage and touch.  Principles of touch, palpation, canine behavior and assessment techniques will be covered.   At the end of this class you will know the what, why and how of providing a basic relaxation massage for your dog.  The class is fun, informative and the dogs LOVE IT!  This 3-hour class is a recommended prerequisite to all of our specialty pet parent classes.
Dates to be announced.
Send us an email if you would like to be notified Contact@caninemassagechicago.com

Specialty Workshops
Pet parents may also register for specialty workshops that teach specific techniques applied to specific areas.  Specialty Workshops include:

Senior Dog Massage: The Golden Years Touch
This workshop is aimed for the older dog that experiences chronic stiffness, lack of mobility and discomfort due to conditions such as arthritis and others that comes with aging.  Special focus on working with chronic conditions such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, obesity and loss of senses are targeted along with palliative approaches to other specific diseases.  Learning how to make your dog comfortable and getting them moving is a major component.  Again, movement is life.  Movement feels good, movement heals, movement is what dogs live for!!!!
Cost: $150.00
November 6th, 13th & 20th 1pm-3pm.
Hosted by AnimalSense Training and Behavior 
Location: Oak Park Canine Learning Center,behind PetVets 
340 W. Harrison St, Oak Park, 60304 
To register go to:  www.animalsense.com

Camp Canine: A Day of Sports and Massage
A full day of fun, play and learning for you and your dog. This workshop consists of agility and focus classes supported by learning and practicing pre and post massage on your dog. You will also learn the correct way to stretch your dog that will make all the difference in the world for your dog's joint health. Principles of exercise and supporting health topics will also be covered. Coffee, bagels and donuts will be served for breakfast and a boxed lunch for you and your dog will be provided.
Cost: $150.00
Location: Integrative Pet Care, Chicago, IL
Dates: October 24, 2010, 9a-5pm

Massage for the High Anxiety Dog
Is your pup still acting like a crazy immature puppy well into their adult years?  Does your nutbag dog cause YOU to go crazy???  If you answered yes, this class is for you!!! 
This 3-hour hands-on workshop teaches you touch and massage techniques coupled with specific training modalities that you can use with your dog everyday to calm them and help them cope while increasing the bond between you. 
Remember, life itself and everyday events can be stressful for the anxious dog.  Even good stress like play and going to fun new places can be stressful and too much of any kind of stress can have a negative effect.  You will learn a bit about the physiology of stress and how this affects your dogs behavior while learning how to manage your dogs stress level. 
Please bring a blanket, toy to keep your dog busy like a bone or stuffed kong and tiny yummy training treats.  Note: Dogs must be at 8 months of age to attend. 
Location: Bellyrub Klub, Doggy Day Care and Training 
Hosted by the Bellyrub Klub 
612 Western Ave, Lombard, 60148 
600-542-3559 
Dates: September 25, 2010, 1pm-4pm
To register go to:  www.bellyrubklub.com

Massage for the Anxious and Shy Dog
This 3-hour workshop incorporates massage and relaxation techniques coupled with specific training modalities that you can use in everyday life to help your dog adapt to uncomfortable or stressing situations. If your dog is easily stressed, anxious, or has a hard time adapting to everyday situations, this is a workshop you can't miss! We recommend bringing a crate, blanket, toys and treats to be used to soothe your dog when he/she is not training or being massaged.
Cost: $50.00
Location: For Your K9, Melrose Park, IL
Dates: November 20, 2010, 9am-12pm

One-on-One Instruction
If your dog is anxious around other people or dogs, recuperating from injury, illness or surgery, or if you would simply rather get one-on-one instruction with your dog, our therapists are available to provide private therapeutic sessions for you and your pet. We offer one-on-one instruction for pet parents who want to be more involved in their pet’s care and will teach you everyday techniques so that you can support whatever treatment plan your dog may have. This program can be specifically tailored to you and your dog and is recommended for gaining trust, increasing the pet-parent bond and for learning basic massage techniques. Palliative, transition, end of life care and counseling is also available.  For more therapeutic and in-depth care, we recommend taking a more advanced program of study or letting CMC provide services for you. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Massage@caninemassagechicago.com.