November 2024 Canine Newsletter | |
Hi Everyone,
Our four-and-a-half-day drive from Iowa to California went surprisingly smoothly—thankfully, no major hiccups along the way! My Poodle, Jupiter, was stellar throughout the trip. He slept through most of the car rides and adjusted well to the ever-changing environments of hotels, new places, and meeting unfamiliar people and dogs. This trip was truly a game changer for him; the exposure to so many new experiences really helped him mature.
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When Jupiter first came to us as a frightened puppy, he was quite wary of everything. But with consistent exposure and regular Masterson Method bodywork, he’s grown into a much more relaxed and self-confident dog.
Though he’s still skittish around new people at first, it doesn’t take long for him to warm up and become their best friend. In fact, he’s gone from being a dog who didn’t really enjoy being touched to one who actively seeks it out now—thanks in large part to the Masterson Method.
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Nellie, on the other hand, had a tougher time with the trip. Despite having done this drive twice before, she struggled to find comfort and was on edge for most of the journey, staying vigilant and alert.
Normally, she’s the calm and easygoing one, so her unease surprised me. It felt like they had switched bodies—Nellie, usually relaxed, was on high alert, while Jupiter, the one normally anxious about new situations, was totally at ease. Go figure!
Doing a few minutes of gentle bodywork after a longer trip is a good way to reset the nervous system, as you can see in this video of Jim working with Nellie. Try it with your dog the next time you travel!
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Until next time, like me,
Enjoy your dogs!
Conley
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A Worried Tijuana Street Dog | |
On another trip, Jim was introduced to Nacho, a newly adopted dog belonging to a friend of ours. Nacho had spent his early life roaming the streets of Tijuana, Mexico, before finding his forever home. Given his past, it wasn’t surprising that Nacho was wary of strangers, constantly looking for an escape route whenever he felt uneasy.
Dogs that live in a constant state of high alert can be some of the hardest to connect with. However, once you gain their trust, it often forms a bond that’s deep and long-lasting.
During their first meeting, Jim introduced Nacho and his owner to the Masterson Method. Noticing Nacho’s tendency to retreat, Jim used a “yes/no” approach to keep him engaged and “in the neighborhood.” By observing Nacho’s body language, Jim provided subtle, reassuring signals to build trust without pushing too far too soon.
At first, you could see the worry etched on Nacho’s face. But as Jim gently worked with him, Nacho’s eyes gradually softened—a clear indication that his tension was starting to melt away.
For anyone working with rescue dogs or dogs that have trust issues, Nacho’s story is a valuable reminder. By using a soft touch, gentle hands and paying close attention to even the smallest behavioral changes, you can prevent a dog from shutting down or withdrawing. In time, you can help them feel more secure, both in their environment and with you. The reward of transforming a wary dog into one that enjoys your touch and finds comfort in your presence is worth every bit of effort.
Watch the video below of Jim practicing some gentle bodywork with Nacho and see how he slowly softens.
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Starting Nov. 7, Kalin Finsand will be teaching another Read and Release course and there is only 1 spot left, so book your spot today! And, we're adding more courses all the time - check out Amelia's course in the New Year!
The course runs for 3 consecutive weeks and each class is approximately 2 hours in length. Best of all, in keeping with the Less Is More philosophy, the cost is just $195!
What a great way to treat yourself and your pup for the holidays.
Thursdays 6:30-8:30 pm CT - Nov. 7, 14, 21 (2024) with Kalin Finsand
Saturdays 11:00 am-1:00 pm CT - Jan. 11, 18, 25 (2025) with Amelia Nalli
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Fundraiser for New Life K9s | |
Join us in supporting New Life K9s, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing service dogs at no cost to Veterans and First Responders dealing with PTSD.
New Life K9s' mission is to give back to those who have served their country and communities by pairing them with highly trained service dogs who can assist with sleep support, promote social interaction, and help their owners reconnect with their families and communities. These incredible dogs bring not only companionship but also a renewed sense of purpose.
On Saturday, November 16, don’t miss a demonstration by Jim and a dog at Gentle Touch Pet Training in San Luis Obispo, CA. Entry is just $30, with proceeds from the event benefiting New Life K9s.
If you're in California, come see Jim and experience the impact of these life-changing dogs firsthand! Register using the button below. If you can’t attend but still wish to support, click here to donate.
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This month we introduce you to Dr. Robin Robinett, DVM. In addition to being a vet and one of the Read and Release instructors, Robin helped write the Beyond Dog Massage book!
Where is home?
I live in Houston, Texas, about 2 miles from our Veterinary Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Clinic, which opened in 2008.
Tell Us About Your Dogs.
We have 4 dogs. A Golden Retriever/Lab mix that turned 14 in June named Drew. Drew was brought to VCRC in 2010 by a rescue group when he was 4 months old because he had a spinal cord infection and could not use his hind legs. We were able to get him up and walking and, of course, ended up adopting him, and he is still up and walking 14 years later.
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We also have a 7-year-old Corgi named Cora. Cora has lots of energy, thinks she is a retriever and wants to play all the time. Then we have a 4-year-old French Bulldog named Stella who was signed over to us by a client. She was 9 months old when she injured herself playing with other dogs and couldn't use her hind legs. Her owner brought her to our clinic to see if we could help. We were able to get Stella up and walking quickly, but ultimately the owner signed her over to us because of Stella's issues needing long-term care. She tells me when she needs treatment by coming and sitting on my foot while I am relaxing in my recliner. She has me trained well and is the funniest dog I have ever had!
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A few months ago, my mother-in-law asked if we could help find a home for her friend's Chihuahua, Milly, because she was moving into an assisted living center. Milly has breathing issues and coughs a lot because of having an enlarged heart and heart murmur, with a collapsing trachea and bladder stones. So, it looks like we now own a Chihuahua. Milly is now doing great on her medications, Chinese herbal supplements, and whole food diet and loves her chiropractic and Masterson Method treatments.
How did your journey with the Masterson Method begin?
In March 2014, I was taking an Equine Rehabilitation Certification course and met fellow student Becky Tenges, who is a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner for horses. The following year, Becky visited us and introduced me to Masterson Method equine techniques, and we discussed how we would do these techniques on dogs. In 2016, my clinic sponsored a Weekend Course, which I attended along with some of my clinic staff, and the following year, we sponsored an Advanced 5-Day Course, which I took.
In 2020, Becky and Jim came to Houston for my certification testing and to discuss collaborating on the Beyond Dog Massage book. After the book was released, I have continued to be involved with Masterson and am an instructor for the canine courses.
What do you most enjoy about teaching the Read and Release course?
I enjoy teaching people about integrative veterinary medicine and things they can do to help their pets themselves. So, when I started to integrate Masterson Method techniques into how I treated my patients at my clinic, I also started to teach my clients how to do some of these techniques. The clients enjoyed seeing how much better their dogs did between their chiropractic appointments.
When teaching the course, I enjoy watching the students' faces when the "light-bulb" moments happen. My whole goal as an integrative veterinarian is to help my patients and improve their lives, so I love that I can help pets from all over the USA and other countries. I like to watch how happy the students and their dogs are and how the bond and trust between them increases during the course. I am sure that after the course, their dogs let them know when they need a session, just like mine tell me.
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Woof and Answer Wednesday | |
Each week, we answer your questions in our Woof and Answer Wednesday feature on social media. With this month being Adopt a Senior Dog Month, we thought we’d focus on a technique that can help older dogs who might develop conditions such as hip arthritis or dogs with hip dysplasia. It’s also a technique you can use on your dog to relieve any tension in the hind end, which you might not necessarily notice.
Question: A few months ago, my dog had an issue with his hip. He’s fully recovered now, but I’d like to help him release any lingering tension around that area. Is there something I can do to help him?
Answer: It’s wonderful to hear that your dog has recovered! Even after healing, tension can still build up in the muscles around the hip. With the Masterson Method Canine Bodywork, you can use the Search Response Stay Release Technique to help release this. See more...
Watch the video where our Read and Release instructor, Amelia Nalli, demonstrates how to locate the pelvic and hip points and gently relieve stress.
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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. | | | | |