Blog — Alternative Medicine for Dogs

I currently have my dogs on an “attention diet.” That means no touch, no talk, no eye contact—as Cesar Millan would say (and I promise you, this is both the first and last time I will ever quote Cesar!). Why do my dogs need an attention diet? Because they’ve had way too much attention indoors for most of their lives. They’ve been anthropomorphized, overstimulated, over-petted, over-cooed at, and wrapped up in a fairly co-dependent relationship with me. It’s only day two, and so far, so good. I was able to go almost completely cold turkey, and as I type this,...

The Vagus Nerve: A Shared Biology Dogs are like humans in many ways—including their biology. One of the most important systems we share is the 10th cranial nerve, also known as the vagus nerve. This nerve connects the brain to the body and plays a central role in regulating the autonomic nervous system in both humans and dogs. When everything is going well, the ventral vagal system is in charge. In this state, we feel: Safe Comfortable Social and connected Breathing is easy. Movement feels fluid and joyful. We’re in a state of flow—playful, curious, and open to interaction. But...

The Benefits of Bodywork for Dogs Many of us have experienced the relief and relaxation that comes from a great massage or bodywork session. But what many people don’t realize is that dogs can benefit from bodywork in much the same way we do. Whether it’s called Canine Massage, Canine Physical Therapy or Canine Rehabilitation, these practices offer a wide range of benefits for dogs of all ages and lifestyles. More Than Just Injury Recovery Bodywork is often associated with recovery from injury or surgery—and it absolutely plays a vital role there. It can help: Reduce pain Restore mobility Support...