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December 2024 Canine Newsletter

Hi Everyone,


Our time in California is coming to a close. By the time you're reading this, we'll be packing the truck for the 4½-day drive home to Iowa. It's been a transformative getaway for all of us—new experiences, different environments, and unexpected growth, especially for Jupiter, our 1½-year-old Poodle.


Jupiter's story began with uncertainty. At four months old, he came to me as a scared, under-confident dog. In retrospect, not meeting him before he arrived was a mistake—one made in the fog of grief after losing our red Australian Shepherd, Popper (known to you from the photos in the Beyond Dog Massage book). Nellie and I were hurting, which led to a hasty decision to bring in another dog. Despite extensive efforts to socialize him with people, other dogs, and new environments, his timidity persisted through adolescence.


Thankfully, I wasn't alone in this journey. Two of our Canine Instructors provided crucial guidance: Valissa Willwerth offered support by phone when Jupiter first arrived, and Kalin Finsand shared valuable insights when he reached eight months. It was Kalin who suggested "scent training" as a confidence-building tool. Though she provided the tools and detailed instructions while we were still in Iowa, I struggled to implement them effectively.


Fortune smiled on us in San Luis Obispo, where we discovered a nearby canine training facility, Gentle Touch Pet Training. We enrolled Jupiter in both Agility and Scent training. While Agility didn't quite capture his interest, something magical happened with scent training. Under the expert guidance of our instructor, Betty Scattini, Jupiter flourished.

The transformation has been remarkable. The combination of training classes and post-class beach visits became true game-changers. At the beach, Jupiter emerged as a social butterfly—running for balls, splashing in the ocean, and approaching every new dog with friendly enthusiasm. He truly became the "ambassador of the beach," eagerly introducing himself to each new canine friend and initiating play.


At the beach, Nellie, by contrast, remained singularly focused on her beloved ball. Other dogs came and went, but she only had eyes for the game of fetch. When I didn't have a ball handy, she'd seek out other humans throwing them, oblivious to any territorial disputes this might cause with their dogs.


Our California adventure expanded beyond the beach—mountain hikes and accompanying Jim to horse barns exposed Jupiter to novel environments, scents and new people. Slowly he has come out of his shell and engages easily with others – both humans and dogs.


Now, as our journey winds down, they will both take turns resting in the truck for our long trek home. 

While the drive is long, Jim's "techniques of opportunity" will come in handy as we stop at dog-friendly hotels along the way. Surprisingly, after a full day of driving, the dogs are just as exhausted as we are.


There's something special about ending these long travel days in rooms with big beds and large screen TVs – they create the perfect setting for working on the dogs. The stress of the day's travel melts away and we can all get a good night’s rest. 



Happily, both dogs, but especially Jupiter, carry back to Iowa new confidence, experiences, and joy from our California adventure.


Other News:


I wanted to share a clip of Jim’s ‘Masterson Method Canine Presentation’ at the Gentle Touch Pet Training center in November. A good group of dedicated dog owners came to watch Jim work on dogs and learn techniques they could go home and try immediately. If your club is interested in a presentation, please email dog@mastersonmethod.com, and we will be in contact.

Read below for the updated calendar of “Read and Release” courses for your first stop on your Masterson Method journey, and our plans for the next level courses – “Introducing Movement”.

Lastly, please send us a photo (or video) of you and your dog practicing (or studying) the MM dog techniques. This photo was sent to us, and the funniest part about it is that the dog takes up more space on the couch than the people do!


Talk to you next month, until then, like me,

snuggle with your dog.


Conley

Introducing Movement Course

We’re thrilled to announce the next step in the Masterson Method canine journey our eagerly awaited Introducing Movement course!


By learning the movement techniques, you will be able to work with your dog in a way that promotes natural alignment and balance, addressing areas of tension, stiffness, or

discomfort that may not be immediately visible.


Who will benefit from attending the course?


  • Graduates of the Read and Release course looking to continue developing their skills.
  • Students wishing to pursue the Masterson Method Certified Practitioner Canine certification.
  • Dog professionals and trainers seeking new techniques to add to their training toolkit and improve performance.
  • All dog owners who want to improve their dog's mobility and longevity and build a deeper connection with their dog.

To register for Introducing Movement, you must first complete the Read and Release course. If you haven’t attended yet, don’t worry—we have upcoming dates available. Keep scrolling to see these!


Enjoy the learning process, and get ready to witness some amazing transformations as you incorporate Masterson Method movement techniques into your dog’s wellness routine.


Fridays at 10:00 am CT, Jan 31, Feb 7, 14, 2025 with Coralie Hughes


Mondays at 5:00 pm CT, Mar 10, 17, 24, 2025 with Valissa Willwerth

Register Now

Read and Release Courses

Help your dog thrive in 2025! Sign up for a Read and Release Course next year and learn proven techniques to release tension and strengthen trust — all while enhancing your dog's quality of life.

 

We’ve added new course dates so take the opportunity to sign up now!


Saturdays at 11:00 am CT Jan 11, 18, 25, 2025 with Amelia Nalli (full)


Wednesdays at 6:00 pm CT, Feb 5, 12, 19, 2025 with Kalin Finsand


Sundays at 12:00 pm CT, Feb 16, 23, Mar 2, 2025 with Stef Watts


If a course is full, please email dog@mastersonmethod.com to be added to the waitlist.


If you’re thinking about joining a course, be inspired by this testimonial from Jo – a dog trainer and behaviorist, and recent Read and Release course graduate:

“I started using The Masterson Method because it’s a form of bodywork you can do with any dog. I attended the online Read and Release Course, that’s a live course where you learn with other dog lovers under the guidance of an instructor. You can literally see the relief as your dog relaxes and connects with you more deeply. It’s a tool that respects the dog’s comfort level, which I love, and it brings a whole new layer to the training work I already do.”

Register Now

Woof and Answer Wednesday

Each week, we answer your questions in our Woof and Answer Wednesday feature on social media. In this question, we address something that affects most dog owners – nail trimming! 


Dog paws have many sensory receptors that make them sensitive to touch, pressure, and temperature changes. Some dogs don’t mind having their toenails trimmed, for others it’s a big deal. Even if your dog isn’t worried about it, it’s always beneficial to get them used to having their paws and nails handled and there’s a technique that can help with this. 

Question: Our dog hates getting his nails trimmed, and I’ve noticed he seems a bit sensitive afterward. Is there a Masterson Method technique that could help him feel more comfortable with his toes?


Answer: You might be surprised at how sensitive a dog's paws and toes can be! They’re small, contain many joints, tendons and ligaments, and they support the dog’s entire weight.



Here's a technique you can do with your dog: it is called Toe Micromovement and you can do it facing the dog and working with the leg on the near side or on the opposite side.


  1. Support the leg with one hand and gently slide the thumb and fingers of your other hand down to the toes.
  2. Using very soft fingers, gently wiggle each toe and toenail through a tiny range of motion, watching for any blinks in your dog's eyes.
  3. When you've gone through all the toes, set the leg down and see how your dog responds. If he needs to move around, yawn or stretch, let him do so.


Watch this video of Jim demonstrating this technique with Suzy the dog.

Remember to follow us on Facebook, and Instagram for more Woof and Answer Wednesdays, useful tips, and upcoming courses. And if you have a question you’d like us to answer, email us at dog@mastersonmethod.com

Happy Holidays!

From all of us at The Masterson Method,

we wish you and your dogs a healthy and happy holiday season!

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