May 2025 Canine Newsletter

Hi Everyone,

I thought I would post a video of Jim and the family (Nellie, Jupiter and me) flying in Jim's Cessna 172 around our hometown, Fairfield, Iowa. Nellie and Jupiter are getting to be quite the experienced air travelers!

Jim's plane is what pilots call a "taildragger" with two regular wheels plus an extra one at the tail instead of the nose. According to Wikipedia; "A taildragger airplane, also known as conventional landing gear, has two main wheels located forward of the center of gravity and a small wheel or skid at the tail. This design can be more challenging to fly and land compared to tricycle gear aircraft, requiring more skill and training for pilots. It's really practical for landing on grass strips."

It's always fun to see our hometown from above. The familiar streets, parks, and buildings look so different from the air. The dogs were perfectly behaved throughout the flight. There's something magical about seeing Fairfield from a bird's-eye view - it gives you a whole new appreciation for where we live.

Both Nellie and Jupiter are good air travelers. You would think that the noise would make them anxious, but sitting in the back seat isn't as loud.

Can you see how much Jupiter really enjoyed looking out the window? Neither one seemed worried, although Nellie looked like she would have preferred sitting in the front!

Neither one was concerned during the landing or the way back to the hangar. Good Dogs!

Did you know that May 5th - 11th is Dog Anxiety Awareness Week?

I've been reflecting on how both Nellie and Jupiter have their own unique anxiety behaviors.

Nellie is fantastic for short drives in the truck, but our California trip last Fall revealed a different side of her. She became visibly anxious during the long journey, struggling to relax enough to sleep. She seemed determined to stay alert, constantly watching the road—either sitting quietly gazing through the windshield or moving back and forth across the back seat for a better view.

Jupiter is surprisingly a much more relaxed traveler. His anxiety emerges when he's left alone. When I purchased him from a California breeder and had him shipped to Iowa, I believe that experience triggered his separation anxiety. The good news is that over the past year, he's made tremendous progress! Having Nellie's calm presence when Jim and I leave the house has been a huge help—they keep each other company. He's now comfortable even when separated and alone either inside or outside the house, although it has required significant time and patience on our part.

Read more below from our "Woof And Answer Wednesday" Masterson Method Canine Bodywork page. Jim talks about the Masterson Method canine program and how it can help with anxiety in dogs.

Natural Tick Repellents

I recently had an interesting conversation with one of our Masterson Method practitioners about natural ways to repel ticks. One method I'd never heard of before involves using amber stones in a collar! I've included details below. It's certainly unconventional...I'll let you decide if it's worth trying!

Your Photos

Last month, I asked for photos of your dogs with your horses, and we received a delightful submission! You'll be just as amazed as we were when you see it. And, please keep them coming! We so enjoy seeing you and your dogs with or without horses!

Hope you're enjoying your spring walks with your four-footed friends as much as I have been!

Warm regards,

Conley

Dog Anxiety Awareness Week

From National Today Website: "Dog Anxiety Awareness Week is observed in the first full week of May and takes place from May 5 to 11 this year. The week shares information and creates awareness about the prevalence of anxiety in canines. Anxiety, a mental condition, is the body’s natural response to stress and persistent fear. Dogs, like humans, are prone to anxiety. According to doctors, anxiety is a rather healthy expression of a dog’s emotions, but it can often spiral into something disastrous at any minute. Dog Anxiety Awareness Week recognizes that the emotional well-being of your anxious furry friends is in jeopardy and a human intervention from time to time is an essential requirement.

History of Dog Anxiety Awareness Week

Dog Anxiety Awareness Week illuminates the causes, trigger points, symptoms, and treatment of canine anxiety. Anxiety is a fairly common expression of emotion that almost all dogs experience. Regardless, they must be consoled with and taken care of, especially during periods of sudden panic attacks and anxious episodes. Dogs cannot express their discomfort and anxiety as humans do, so it is important to look out for symptoms such as aggression, untimely urination, excessive drooling, destructive behavior, depression, pacing, excessive barking, restlessness, compulsive behaviors, and so much more."

MM Canine Bodywork Facebook Page:

Woof & Answer Wednesday

Question: My dog gets overwhelmed so easily. He pants, paces, or shuts down around new people or situations. Is there anything I can do to help him relax?

Answer: Yes—especially if you start by helping him feel safe in his body.

Many anxious dogs hold tension in areas like the jaw, neck, and shoulders—often without even realizing it. With the Masterson Method®, we use a very light touch to bring the dog's awareness to where they’re holding tension—light enough that they don’t feel the need to guard or brace against it.

In this way, we invite the nervous system to begin releasing that tension. There’s no pressure, no forcing—just a quiet conversation through touch, dog to human.

We’ve seen even the most anxious dogs begin to soften, sigh, and trust—one tiny release at a time.

Watch Jim in the video as he explains how this method not only helps your dog relax, but also strengthens your bond.

Tick Repellent Solution or Not?

The weather here in Iowa has now begun to warm-up, and with that, the worry of ticks and Lyme disease. I thought of this when I pulled a tick off of the corner of Jupiter's eye this morning. Yipes!

For those of you that worry that the treatment to repel ticks is almost as bad as the ticks themselves, I stumbled upon something that has a lot of advocates, and a lot of nay sayers. I am not in either camp. I would be surprised if this works, but I am game to try. We do a lot of walking in the woods, and I am handy at pulling off ticks, from the dogs and me (cringe).

The Natural Solution is Amber Dog Collars: Advocates Swear by Them

Amber dog collars are made from natural Baltic amber, a fossilized tree resin that’s been used for centuries due to its healing properties. The organic compounds found in amber, such as succinic acid, act as a natural insect repellent. When your dog wears an amber collar, the warmth of their body releases these compounds, creating a barrier that keeps fleas and ticks away.

How Do Amber Collars Repel Ticks?

The secret behind amber’s tick-repelling power lies in the natural chemical compounds found in the resin. When amber is worn against a dog’s skin, it generates a very mild static charge. This charge can disrupt the sensory mechanisms of ticks and other parasites, causing them to avoid the dog altogether. It’s a non-toxic, chemical-free way to help reduce the risk of tick bites.

But, is This Real? Let's Hear the Other Side of the Story:

Advocates of amber collars claim that static electricity created by the friction of amber against your dog’s fur can repel pests like fleas and ticks. However, scientific research does not support this claim. The static electricity generated by amber is minimal and unlikely to have any significant impact on pests. Fleas and ticks are highly persistent, and the static charge from amber collars is not strong enough to deter them.

So, Who is Right?

At one time I had a business stringing semi-precious stones together for their medicinal properties to be worn below the fetlocks of horses. Each bracelet had a combination of stones and a small tag that explained the anticipated medicinal result. I was struck by how many horse owners responded to me with strong testimonials. But, again, this could have been a case of the owner looking for the desired result. I am a believer, but who knows?

I'll let you decide!

Canine Zoom Courses for 2025

Read and Release Courses

(First in the Series)

Read and Release is the first course to start your journey with The Masterson Method Canine Bodywork. Enjoy learning from the comfort of your home.

Students will learn to recognize and use their dog’s visual responses to find and release tension. These visual responses give you insights into your dog’s physical and emotion needs. In this course, you and your canine companion will build connection, enhance movement, and improve comfort.

Mondays at 6:00pm CT, June 23, 30, July 7th, with Valissa Willwerth

Tuesdays at 11:00am CT, July 1, 8, 15, with Stef Watts

Fridays at 6:00pm CT, August 1, 8, 15, with Amelia Nalli

Introducing Movement Courses

(Second in the Series)

Introducing Movement is your next step after completing the Read and Release Course.

Adding to the foundation of using touch effectively and understanding what your dog is communicating, you are ready to start applying Masterson Method Movement Techniques. In this course, you will learn all movement techniques from the Beyond Dog Massage book and help your dog with easier and more natural movement.

Saturdays at 2:00 pm CT, May 10, 17, 24th with Kalin Finsand (full)

Wednesdays at 11:00 am CT, July 16, 23, 30 with Kalin Finsand

Mondays at 6:00pm CT, July 21, 28, Aug 4, with Valissa Willwerth

If the course you are interested in is full, please email dog@mastersonmethod.com and we will add you to the wait list.

Photo and Note Sent in From

Marja Kuhl in Germany

Hello over there,

In the April Dogs Newsletter, you asked for some Pictures of our Dogs with our Horses. Well I thought our St. Bernhard/ Leonberger Mix "Tolig" sharing the same height with our old Mini, Lady Maja is worth a share. :) 

Having a nice time and some sunny spring days! 

~Marja from Germany 

(with Tolig and Maja - and yes, he shares the height and I share the Name 😄)