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Basics of Canine Massage

Basics of Canine Massage

Learn to understand and support your dog's well-being through massage.

Dates: March 20 - 21, 2027

Delivery: Olds College Campus

Hours: 16 hours in the classroom

Tuition: $459 + GST

This entry-level introductory course combines theory-based learning with hands-on canine massage practice. No prior knowledge of canine anatomy or physiology is required. Through demonstrations, guided practise and hands-on learning with live dogs, participants will develop a foundational understanding of canine massage and learn techniques they can apply to their own dogs.

Students will learn to:

Understand canine body language and recognize signs of comfort, stress and discomfort
Understand the benefits, precautions and contraindications of canine massage, including when veterinary referral is necessary
Learn basic canine muscular anatomy and use key bony landmarks as reference points to locate and identify muscles on live dogs
Learn and practise individual canine massage techniques through guided, hands-on instruction
Identify commonly tight muscle groups associated with different canine sports and activities
Recognize signs of muscle tension, soreness, sensitivity and understand their relevance to massage
Practise massage techniques on both sides of the body and combine them into a structured, full-body canine massage routine

Please ensure you bring the following:

Your canine best friend
One flat bed or blanket for your dog to relax on during their massage
Plenty of tiny treats
Optional: Floor pillow for the student
Optional: Lickimat/snuffle mat for dogs who may need a distraction or who struggle to relax
Kennel is required

Meet Your Instructor

Angie Auger

Angie Auger is a certified canine bodyworker (CIECBW) and Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach (CSCC) through NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. With over six years of experience in canine bodywork and 15 years involved in dog sports, Angie works with dogs ranging from family companions to high-level canine athletes.

Her experience includes serving as a canine healthcare provider for Team Canada at the 2022 IFCS World Agility Championship and travelling to Czechia and Germany with a local IGP handler over the past three years to provide bodywork support for dogs competing in IGP. Angie combines her professional training and practical experience to help dog owners better understand canine muscular health and learn hands-on massage techniques to support their dogs’ well-being.

For more information:

Industry Training & Continuing Education

Phone: 403.556.4740
Toll-Free: 1.800.661.6537
Email: itce@oldscollege.ca