SHARE:  

July 2024 Canine Newsletter

Message from Jupiter:


Hi, hi, hi! Can you tell this is Jupiter and not Nellie? I’m ready and raring to write to you this month and Natalie is scribbling away, fur-iously trying to keep up. (Haha, get it? Get it? Do ya?) Fur-iously! 


This month we are talking about how Masterson Method techniques can help performance and agility dogs, especially with the Olympics right around the corner. Well, let me tell you - I feel great! Ready to run and keep Nellie on her toes! She’s pretty good on the balance beam, but my favorite sport is track. I can track a horse, or track Jim, or run around the track several times without anyone catching me! 


(I think maybe I wore Nellie out...but then again, perhaps this is her "floor" routine!)

This month we focus on agility and performance dogs, and our new social media pages for pooches.


We also have a great video of Jim working with a service dog at the Western States *$^#% Expo (I don't want to say the H-word). At least he worked with dogs too!


So settle yourself down to read another great Canine Newsletter and I’ll run around the house a couple of times and then join you on the couch! See you at the Jimlympics! 


Until next time, like me and Nellie,


Enjoy your humans,


Jupiter

Masterson Method for Agility

It’s not only human athletes who benefit from bodywork, our canine athletes do too! Some events require dogs to be fast and agile, while others don’t need as much physical effort from those less athletically inclined (we’re talking about you bulldogs!). 


Whether your dog is an occasional ball-chaser or a flyball fanatic, there are Masterson Method techniques that will help. Here are some tips if you have a competitive dog:


- Before a competition spend some time on light work, like the Bladder Meridian technique, focusing on release points rather than movement. 


- Don’t spend more than 30 minutes working on your dog before an event. 10 to 15 minutes is probably all you need to help them loosen up and relax.


- Keep a light touch if you find an area of excessive tightness or restriction. Don’t try to ‘fix’ something right before an event. 


- Don’t rush! The time for speed is during an agility race. You want your dog to feel relaxed and comfortable. 


- Muscle tension can be common in dogs that regularly compete in agility-type classes, so focus on techniques that help relax the neck, shoulders, and hind end. 


Remember the Beyond Dog Massage Book has a section dedicated to bodywork for competitions and sports, so if you haven’t gotten your copy yet, you can order it from our website via the link below. 

Beyond Dog Massage Book

Let's Get Social

We're thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram dedicated exclusively to canine bodywork!


On the new pages, you’ll find: 


- Tips on canine bodywork

- Fun and inspiring ideas to enjoy with your dog

- Heartwarming success stories

- Updates on canine workshops and events


Click the links below to follow our new pages and stay connected.

Follow on Facebook
Follow on Instagram

Meet Jim on July 20th

Book Signing This Month


Jim Masterson and Dr. Robin Robinett, DVM, will be at the Houston Dog Show for a Beyond Dog Massage book signing! 


Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 20th so Jim and Dr. Robinett can add their "paw prints" to your book!


Book Signing Info

Our Service Dog Heroes

Heroes don’t always wear medals! There are around 500,000 service dogs in the US which, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), are “dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities”. They do amazing work aiding mobility, assisting with daily tasks, or even alerting their owner to an oncoming seizure. 


Jim recently met a service dog at the Western States Horse Expo and, naturally, had to say hello. The sweet pup, usually afraid of men, didn’t mind Jim giving him some attention. Check out the video below and see him give a little release after Jim worked around his head. What a sweetheart! 

Watch the Video

Meet the Instructor

Each month, we introduce you to one of our Read and Release course instructors. This month, meet professional dog trainer Valissa Willwerth, who is also teaching the July Read and Release course. 


Where’s home? 


"We currently live in south New Jersey, on a small farm with our five dogs and two horses."


Tell us about your dogs:


"The canine family includes a Golden Retriever, a Golden/Lab cross, 2 rough collies and an Aussie/Poodle mix, ranging in age from 2 to 15 years old. No matter how you slice it, it’s a LOT of hair! And play time can get a little nuts."


How did your journey with The Masterson Method begin


"My Masterson journey came about as a result of desperately seeking help for a TB mare I owned at the time. I wish I knew then what I know now, as I could help her SO much now thanks to my Masterson training. Gosh, our journey could have been so different and her comfort level would have been immeasurably improved. Nevertheless, she served as the catalyst for my journey and now I can help innumerable horses like her, so her suffering created quite a legacy.


I attended a Jim and Mark clinic that was the turning point for me. It literally changed the course of my life. Entirely."


What do you most enjoy about teaching the Read and Release course?


"I LOVE the Read and Release courses! Such a unique opportunity to meet folks from all over with different backgrounds, all coming together to explore the possibilities of MM to help our dogs. I’ve particularly enjoyed the camaraderie that develops between all of us, even though we’re far apart geographically and onscreen. Being there to support each other through the learning process and sharing in the Ah-Ha moments has been inspiring."


Check out the Canine Course page to learn more about Valissa

and our other instructors. 

Meet the Instructors

Read and Release Courses!

Book your spot now for new Read and Release courses,

starting in July, September and October. 


In these live online courses, you will learn to release tension, improve mobility and build trust with your dog. Everyone’s a winner on this course! 


Tuesdays 5:00 pm CT, July 2, 9, 16, 23 with Valissa Willwerth


Saturdays at 10:00 am CT, Sep 21, 28, Oct 5, 12 with Stef Watts


Mondays at 8:00 am CT, Oct 28, Nov 4, 11, 18 with Leslie Kennedy


Book Now

Glasses On, Open Book...READ (and release)!

Facebook  Instagram  YouTube