DOG

SHIATSU

by
Little Arfin Eddie
Contents

Forward
What exactly is Dog Shiatsu?
Why Shiatsu For Your Dog
The Psychology of performing Shiatsu on Your
Dog
Shiatsu Techniques
How to Proceed with Your Dog's Shiatsu
Treatments
Shiatsu Treatments by Zones
Conclusion
Chart Illustrations

Parts of the Dog

The Skeletal System
Circulatory System
Nervous System
Shiatsu Points on a Dog
Side View
Front
Top View
On The Back
Front and Hind Legs
Foreword

When you talk about friends, a strong case can be made

for the statement that the best friend man's best friend has
is his veterinarian.
Your dog's Vet has studied long and hard to learn
how to help your dog with his health problems, and
works long hard hours at it. He must love dogs very
much to put up with some of us dog owners.
For the sake of your dog it must be understood that
the artful science of Shiatsu is in no way meant to be a
substitute for your Vet. Neither are we claiming that
Shiatsu is a ”miracle cure'’ for all that ails your little
friend.
Anytime your dog has any kind of health problem,
your Vet is the first person you should contact. Neither
will Shiatsu undo the sad effects of poor nutrition, lack of
exercise and stressful conditions to which some owners
subject dogs.
A proper Shiatsu program for your dog will have him
feeling physically better than he ever has before,
additionally it will also increase his resistance to disease.
The bottom line is that the only thing Shiatsu can do
for your dog is make him a healthier and happier animal.
WHAT EXACTLY IS DOG SHIATSU?

To understand how your dog can be the beneficiary

of Shiatsu treatments can be most easily accomplished by
first gaining an understanding of the artful science of
Shiatsu itself.
Shiatsu means nothing more than the name implies..
in Japanese. SHI means finger. ATSU means pressure.
In Japanese the word SHIATSU means simply, finger
pressure.
The honor of the discovery of modern Shiatsu theory
belongs to a Japanese gentleman, one Tokujiro
Namikoshi, who devoted over forty years of his life
developing the scientific practice of this health art.
About 80 years ago he founded the Nippon Shiatsu
School in Japan and has since helped more than a
hundred thousand ailing persons on the road to better
health and greater happiness.
Shiatsu has often been called needle-less acupuncture
and indeed the similarities must be pointed out.
Both sciences, Acupuncture and shiatsu, owe their
origin to the ancient idea of something called "Zone
Theory"... which many believe go back to primitive times
when people used to rub it where it hurts. From there it's
not hard to see that over the centuries an understanding
grew that there was a relationship between certain parts
of the body and certain vital organs.
Another more amusing theory on the origin of
acupuncture holds that in ancient times, when one
received a non fatal arrow wound, that several days later
following the extraction of the arrow, a chronic pain in
another part of the body would disappear permanently.
This, combined with the innate ability of the human
organism to heal itself if certain principles are observed,
forms the foundation of drugless health therapy of which
many believe Shiatsu to be one of the most effective.
It is very easy to see that these principles are very
naturally transferable from humans to canines when one
studies the comparative anatomy of both species.
Our charts show that the anatomy of dogs bears such
a close similarity to humans that for the most part the
bones and muscles are given the same names.
This of course does not come as any great surprise to
any of you readers who have studied High School
Biology and learned that all mammals have many things
in common, not the least of which is a nervous system
and a circulatory system, in addition to similar intestinal
and muscular and skeletal systems.
In most cases what is harmful to one type of mammal
in the way of trauma, physical or mental, is very likely to
be harmful to another. The artful science of Shiatsu has
proven itself to be a viable alternative as an aid to good
health in human beings.
Since its discovery it is gaining adherents by the
thousands each year. It seemed only natural for us to
study ways to adopt this wonderfully effective but
harmless method to the benefit of man's best friend.
We accomplished this by first studying canine
anatomy and combining that knowledge with our own
pre-Shiatsu experiences with our own two dogs.
After a long period of observation and careful, non-
traumatic experimentation, we developed the Dog
Shiatsu principles which are put forth in the following
pages of this book.
While many Shiatsu practitioners who treat people
claim that it can cure ailments and relieve pain, we
believe that it would be misleading to state the same for
dog Shiatsu. For one thing, dogs are less prone to certain
psychosomatic ailments, and since they are incapable of
human speech, they cannot let us know where and when
it hurts or stops hurting.
Using the principles described in this book, we urge
you to play an active role in keeping your healthy dog
healthy by instituting a program of Shiatsu in addition to
a sound nutritional and exercise program in a stress-free
environment.
WHY SHIATSU FOR YOUR DOG?

If your dog was free range-roaming animal in the

wild state, like the wolf, fox, or bear, he would have no
need of a health program because the harsh rules of
survival of the fittest require that he be in perfect health.
He would therefore most likely be lean, mean, and clean,
('mean’ which is to say, a hunter for food, and ‘clean’
which is to say free from diseases of civilization).
But a house dog is another story, many times a sad
one— loving owners overfeed them, elderly, infirm or
lazy owners under-exercise them, and sadly to say some
inconsiderate owners mistreat them.
Even a dog who is lucky enough to have a
considerate, intelligent and well-meaning owner is still in
trouble today in his overheated apartment, and diet of
chemical-adulterated foods.
Is it any wonder that Vet's waiting room is so
crowded?
We cannot emphasize too strongly that giving your
dog Shiatsu is no substitute for the things he should be
getting. Neither can it relieve the effects of the things he
should not be getting.
Enter into a program of Shiatsu for your pet with
attitude and understanding that it will help keep his nerve
energy flowing at the maximum force of which it is
capable.
This in the final analysis is what will lead to insuring
his well being and good health.
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PERFORMING
SHIATSU ON YOUR DOG.

Think it over for a minute and you will realize that

your dog has already been instinctively attempting to
train you properly in Shiatsu.
Have you ever noticed how he waits until things calm
down, (usually it's the same time every day, perhaps its
when the dinner dishes are done and you are sitting in
your easy chair) before he approaches you for what you
think is a petting session?
Have you noticed how he positions himself in front
of you so that when you reach out you are finger
pressuring the places he most wants stimulated? (usually
the neck or the jowls)
What does he do next? Often he turns in such a way
that you find yourself rubbing his back and then his ribs.
Then if your attention has not returned to the TV or
your reading, in which case he walks away, he plops
down in front of you so that you may finish the job on his
stomach with your hand or slippered foot.
THAT IS SHIATSU!
Your pet almost, without you realizing it, has forced you
to observe the 3 cardinal rules of Shiatsu.
1. RELAXATION
He waits until you are accessible and available and
agreeable.
2. CONCENTRATION
He knows exactly how much time you can give him so
he choreographs his movement to receive the maximum
coverage in minimum time.
3. OVERAL BODY ATTENTION
By giving you his undivided attention he insures the best
chance of getting yours.
For his own good it is now time to turn the tables on
the little rascal.
The first thing we recommend is that you stick to the
same schedule your dog has instituted.
Your dog has already determined which time of day
is best for both of you.
Do not attempt to perform an entire Shiatsu treatment
at the first sitting, but rather have your dog think that you
are simply extending his petting session. After all, how
would you feel if some giant suddenly pounced on you
and grimly stared poking you in some very strange
places.
Gradually with each session, change the conditions as
described in the following pages so that your dog and
you will both be most comfortable and hence the Shiatsu
will be most effective. After the first couple of attempts
you will notice that your dog senses that a plot is afoot,
but since he also senses that it is for his benefit, he will
cooperate.
After he realizes that he feels so much better with
Shiatsu he will come a-running when you call him for his
session.
SHIATSU TECHNIQUES

1. THE THUMB
The basic Shiatsu tool for humans is the thumb and
although its use is not usually recommended for small
dogs, the same principal as for the thumb applies to all
fingers.
First: be sure that all your nails are trimmed so as to not
have your dog think that you are trying to injure him.
Second: All pressure must be applied with the ball of the
finger and not the tip. Pressure must be firmly directed
downward for the duration of the time prescribed. (Do
not wriggle your finger as if you are pressing a button for
a stalled elevator).
Third: Especially for dogs, never apply so much pressure
that your dog recoils from you or twitches. Little doggie
bones are more fragile that you imagine and joints and
nerves are very sensitive.
Don't be like the well meaning but misguided mother
who figures that if 1-a-day vitamins are good for her
child, 5-a-day will be even better.
Fourth: The duration of pressure at each point on your
dog must not exceed two seconds. More time can seem
oppressive to the dog. Less time can have no beneficial
effect.
2. THE FINGERS
Use only the thumb, index and the middle and the ring
finger of either hand. The little finger or pinky is never
used.
3. THE HAND
When the use of the hand is recommended , all pressure
must be applied with the heel of the hand. The hand is
usually used for the abdominal areas.
For certain areas either the thumb or finger will be
used individually. And for others, thumbs, fingers and
hands will be used simultaneously and in conjunction
with each other.
One reason for using several hands of fingers at the
same time is that if you apply pressure on one side of
your dog only, because of your greater weight, you will
be pushing him away and not be properly applying
pressure.
Since one hand is used to support the opposite side,
that hand may as well earn its keep be also applying a
treatment.
Also two hands can do a job in half the time. Even
the most patient animal isn't going to sit still forever.
WARNING: At the risk of appearing redundant, use
extreme caution when applying finger or hand pressure
on a pet. Their bones, joints, and nerves are infinitely
more delicate than humans. Do not apply Shiatsu to your
animal unless you can give him your completely
undivided attention so that you may constantly read his
reaction.
There is a old Chinese proverb which says:
“Impossible to watch The Good Wife on TV and give
good dog Shiatsu at the same time.”
If your dog does not like to be touched at a certain
point, do not touch that spot. With dog Shiatsu, we do
not observe the ‘'Take it, it's good for you'’ syndrome.
Finally... do not even contemplate Shiatsu for any
dog who is suffering from any kind of aliment; chronic or
acute, is pregnant, or is under treatment of any kind.
Shiatsu is not a cure-all, it's a preventative only in the
sense of being a health promoter.

THE VOICE
While you are giving Shiatsu you should talk to your dog
as you do when you pet him. The only difference is that
you should verbalize to the dog what you are doing and
why.
The benefits of talking are twofold.
First, your dog will associate Shiatsu with the same
love and affection he does when he is being petted.
Second, as you verbalize the Shiatsu drill you will
gradually commit the procedure to memory and will soon
be able to administer the treatments more effectively as
you are more able to concentrate on the pressure you
apply.

YOUR POSTURE
It doesn't make any sense if you give yourself a
backache while you are making your furry friend feel
better, does it?
Well then, always try to position yourself so that your
own spine is properly aligned with your body. If standing
or sitting have both feet positioned flat on the floor or
ground, and your carriage upright. We do not recommend
attempting Shiatsu on a pet while you are sitting on the
floor cross legged or lying on a bed propped up on one
elbow, as we do not believe that one can get enough
leverage this way to properly transmit the energy and
power to do a proper job.
Lastly spend as much time as you can studying the
charts on the following pages as well as all of the
illustrations in this book. The clearer idea you have of a
dog's makeup the more effective your Shiatsu will be.
HOW TO PROCEED WITH YOUR DOG'S
SHIATSU TREATMENTS.

Don't even think about touching your pet to begin

Shiatsu until you have read this book in its entirety and
have studied all of the charts until you feel you have
understood them, and feel completely comfortable about
all of the procedures suggested. What we are dealing
with here is a wonderful and beautiful living creature and
not a broken toaster.
First Session: Begin by talking to and petting the dog.
Explore his body with your hands to ascertain and
determine the Shiatsu points in conjunction with the
dog's anatomy.
Constantly refer to the Shiatsu charts and
illustrations, and at the same time observe your pet as
you explore for the Shiatsu points. You will notice that in
most cases when you have properly located a Shiatsu
point, the dog seems to enjoy a pleasant sensation and
stands very still for it. However if you press this point for
too long a duration, the dog will try to move away from
your pressing finger. When you have located a Shiatsu
point, verbalize it to the dog, --say, ‘'Shiatsu''. He will
soon associate the word Shiatsu with the pleasure and
well being it gives him, the same way he comes running
when you say, ‘'Din Din'’ or ‘'Out". Isn't it amusing the
way non-dog owners think dogs don't understand words?
 A word about the Shiatsu points in the illustrations.
At best the points indicated in the illustrations are
approximate. Since dogs come in the widest variety of
breeds and sizes, to say nothing of mixed breeds and
mongrels, You would be best advised to use these
illustrations as a starting point for locating the pressure
points on your own particular dog.
Obviously, the locations of the pressure points on a
Great Dane and a tiny Chihuahua are not identical.
Only when you and your dog have a better
understanding by proceeding in this way should you
begin the treatment sessions.
SUBSEQUENT SESSIONS

When you are giving your dog regular Shiatsu

treatments, attempt by degrees to get him to assume the
positions recommended according to his size.

1. SMALL DOGS
2. By small dogs we mean to say any one which can be
easily picked up. It is best to administer Shiatsu to a
small dog by placing it on a coffee table, counter, bench,
bed or chair, so that you may work either in a standing or
sitting position.
2. MEDIUM SIZE DOGS
We call medium size dogs any dog which can be picked
up, but usually isn't. Medium size dogs can also be
placed on a coffee table, work counter or bench, You
may then work in a sitting or standing position.

3. LARGE DOGS
If you cannot, or don't care to pick him up, you have a
large dog indeed. If you can convince him to hop up
upon a sturdy bench or window seat.. so much the better,
Otherwise it's the floor for ‘Marmaduke'. You can work
either sitting on a small stool or camp seat or in a
kneeling or squatting position in your knees can take it.
 Lastly, before beginning any Shiatsu session, a good
way to bring your life forces and energy to focus onto
your hands and fingers is to give yourself at least 60
seconds or brisk ‘open-shut-them’ exercises followed by
briskly rubbing the palms together for about 15 seconds
to increase your chi and hand heat energy.
SHIATSU TREATMENT BY ZONES.

1. THE HEAD AND NECK ZONES.

Begin with the head-- and with what most dogs like best,
the point under and behind the jaw. (where he himself
never seems to tire of scratching).
With one hand, on either side, press with both the
index and middle finger--press one time for two seconds,
and then a second time for two seconds, (to time two
seconds, just say, ‘'One thousand and one, one thousand
and two'', in a normal cadence).
Next, with your thumbs, press the two sightly
depressed spots over the eyebrow ridge, one time for two
seconds. Unless we state otherwise, all pressure is for no
more than two seconds.
 Now move your thumb down to the location under
the cheekbone ridge on both sides below the eyes and
press there.
For the nose, cradle one hand under the jaw and reach
over the nose with your other hand as shown and press
the three spots with index, middle and ring fingers.

For the spots on the other side of the nose--simply

reverse the hand positions.
 Use each thumb at the same time for the two spots on
top of the head over the eye ridges.

Supporting the head with one hand, use the thumb for
pressing the three spots on top of the head.
With the index fingers press under the base of the skull
on either side of the ‘'Medula Oblongata", then give a
light massage to the medula oblongata for about three
seconds. Note: This is the only time and place a massage
technique is recommended.
Compliment the dog for his cooperation. Every time
you complete Shiatsu on a zone, it is a good idea to
compliment him in a jubilant voice while petting and
hugging him.

2. NECK AND THORAX ZONES.

Using either thumb or fingers,( whichever is most
comfortable for you and your dog, depending on whether
you are standing or sitting, and whether the dog is on the
floor or a raised platform according to his size) press the
spots on the neck on both sides of the throat, and work
down one spot at a time to the shoulders. Then go to the
back of the neck at the base of the skull and work your
way down on both sides of the spine to the shoulder
blades (See Scapula: on the Skeleton chart)
 With the thumb and fingers of one hand very gently
and with lighter pressure press the spots on either side of
the windpipe while supporting the dog with the other
hand on the nape of the neck, then work down the the
brisket with normal pressure, and the spots just in front
of each armpit.

3. THE SPINAL AND HINDQUARTERS ZONE

With the thumb and index finger, press the spots on
both sides of the spine beginning at the base of the neck
between the shoulder blades and work down to the sacral
area. The free hand may be used to keep the dog in
position ( Do not press or attempt to manipulate the
spinal bones). Using the three fingers of each hand at the
same time, beginning at the shoulder blades, press the
spots between the ribs on one side and work towards the
hindquarters. If your dog appears to enjoy this as most
do, go back and give him seconds. Repeat the process on
the other side.
With one hand under the chest use the index finger or
thumb whichever is strongest and press the spots over the
rump or the sacral area. Shiatsu in this area is also a
doggie favorite. So its okay to repeat it.
 The hindquarters spots on both sides can be pressed
with the three fingers beginning at the top and working
your way down towards the legs.

4. THE ABDOMINAL ZONE

(See chart of dog lying on its back)
The Shiatsu points on the abdomen are pressed with
heel of the hand--provided you can get your dog to lie on
his back or at least on his side.
If, as in the case of large dogs he refused to lie on his
back with his front and back legs akimbo, get him to lie
on his side. Another alternative can be to press the
abdominal spots with the fingers while he is standing up.
In either case, begin at the sternum and work your
way down to the points on both sides of the genitals.

5. THE FRONT AND BACK LEGS SHIATSU ZONES

(See chart of front and hind legs)

Begin with the front legs at the spots on the outside of the
leg above the elbow. Then the two spots at the inside
above the elbow.Next proceed to the spots on the outside
and inside of the leg below the elbow until you reach the
wrist.
Next work on the back legs beginning on the outside
of the leg above the knee. Then work on the inside and
the outside of the leg below the knee until you reach the
ankle.

6. THE PAWS
(See chart of front and hind legs to refer to the paws)
 Shiatsu both the front and rear paws the same way.
First the three points on top of the paw. Then the points
on each of the four digits. This can be done while the dog
is standing or siting or lying down. Some dogs are very
sensitive about their paws, so the first few attempts might
meet with resistance, If the dog continues to resist paw
Shiatsu, leave it. If the dog does not enjoy his Shiatsu
sessions it will not benefit him.
Last, we come to the tail... and we leave it alone. If
there is one part your dog which has no need of Shiatsu,
it is the tail. It appears that every time it wags, he is
giving himself a better treatment than anyone else
possibly can. End of tale.

Important Warning: As you have no doubt noticed on

the Side View chart and on the cover that there is a circle
with the legend ‘Never here’ right over the heart area.
Although only the left side is shown, it applies to both
sides of the dog.
We draw your attention to the Circulatory, and the
Nervous System charts at the beginning of the book to
point out that this area rather resembles Times Square in
that many roads of both systems cross each other rather
than leading to Rome.
With rare exception, Acupressure in these areas
causes the aforementioned nerves and arteries to come in
close enough proximity to each other to cause the poor
pet enough discomfort to make him Yelp!
Please take our word for it and stay away from these
areas. Resist the urge to see if it happens with your dog.
CONCLUSION

As you increase your expertise with your Shiatsu, not

only will you and your dog enjoy it more, and not only
will you and your dog get to better appreciate the
mechanics of his body, but you will most likely notice
that due to the fact that you are increasing your
concentrative powers, you yourself are most likely
experiencing the same feeling of exaltation that you
would after a session of meditation. In a sense, when you
apply Shiatsu to your dog — you are yourself meditating.
One last important note: If you can locate a single
professional Shiatsu practitioner anywhere who smokes
anything at all, or imbibes while they are administering
treatments to any human or animal, then they are simply
not professionals. Stay away from them.
Because your dog has inside as well as an outside, it
would do your little friend a world of good if you would
read up on the latest canine nutritional theories. Your
Public Library and the internet, has a world of
information about dogs. Perhaps more than at your local
bookstore. An exceptionally fine volume we were
pleased to discover on dog nutrition, was written by Dr.
Pritikin of diet fame..
On the subject of exercise, there is absolutely nothing
we could add to what is constantly being recommended
by dog experts, except to reiterate, how can your dog
possible be happy without it?
 We mentioned talking to your dog more than once.
So we'll do it again. Dogs, being one of the most
communicative of pets, we don't think it's possible for
you to talk to them too much. They love the sound of
your voice. they even read volume in the slightest -
change of tone.
One might even say that talking to your dog
frequently is a form of psychic Shiatsu. For both of you.
Always keep in mind that Shiatsu in only a part of your
dog's life, don't let anything allow you to neglect the
other parts.
Thank you
Authors Note:

Thank you for reading this far. It tells me that you are a
true dog lover and one of my very favorite people.
Little Arfin Eddie is my pen name for this book.
Every book I write uses a different ‘Eddie” pen name.
That is because when I was working and living in New
York, I wanted to protect my privacy thinking that my
first book would sell like Gone With The Wind.
My actual name is Edward Cochanski and I am 87
years old. I am now doing all my living, writing, painting
and inventing in the beautiful Polish city of Krakow. I
am what is commonly called an Ex-Pat. And I am not
even Irish.
This will by my third book to be published on
Amazon Kindle. The first one is called EAT FREE LIVE
RENT FREE IN NEW YORK by Cheap Eddie. The
second one is called IF YOU ARE NOT WALL
STREET THEN YOU ACTUALLY LIVE ON CACA
STREET by Off-Road Eddie. Incidentally, these books
are starving for reviews.
As you can readily ascertain, Elizabeth Barrett
Browning I definitely am not. The only thing I have in
common with Lizzie is that I also write where I live.
Now here is where everyone begs for reviews from
you. I am no different. The dog world needs you to
inform it of any merits you see in this book.
If you think this book is good for dogs, please buy it
and tell all your dog loving friends to buy it.
Woof, woof! See that? Even seeing ‘Woof, woof’, in
print made you feel better for a moment. Right?

— end—