Passive Touch? You mean I don’t have to do anything and it’s still a massage? Well yes…and no.
Don’t underestimate the relevance of this centering touch.
Passive Touch is a great opening touch for a massage session. It’s a sustained, stationary touch with the palm of your hand or fingers. The pressure is usually light and very supporting in nature. It can provide a calming effect on your dog and ground him at any point during the massage session. Passive touch can be used on dogs who are not acclimatized to physical contact, because it is non-threatening.
This grounding touch can be applied by one hand while administering another stroke with the other. It’s also useful for influencing heart rate and breath.
Passive Touch—How to:
1. Prepare your dog for a session. Provide soft blankets or a dog bed. Use calming music if you like.
2. Place your hand (palm down) on your dog. You can start anywhere on the body. It’s helpful to start on a region your dog if most comfortable with.
3. Hold the contact for a while. Soften your hand. Assess the reaction. Is your dog accepting of it? Do the eyes soften?
4. Slow your breathing down. Take long, deep breaths for calming. Clear your thoughts (your dog may pick up on any “mind clutter”).
5. Experiment with pressure. Make contact with just the tip of the coat. Do you feel a change in body temperature?
4. Change body areas. Use both hands. Perhaps place one hand on the shoulder area and the other on the hip. Again, be aware of the reaction.
Passive Touch can be used at any time during a massage session. It also can be administered while on a walk or at any time your dog may need a calming influence.
Experiment with Passive Touch on your dog tonight. Adjust pressure. What was her reaction? Was it comforting? What was your experience like?
