April 2026 Canine Newsletter | | |
Hi Everyone,
Around here in Iowa, talking about the weather is pretty much how every conversation starts. But lately, it feels like everyone everywhere is talking about it. We even had friends from Florida call to tell us it was warmer here than down there. That was right after we had a 40-degree drop the day before. Go figure.
With the warmer weather, Jim and I have been busy catching up on all the things that got pushed aside during the cold, snowy winter. The tractor’s been running, the chainsaw’s out, and yes, even the manure spreader is getting its turn. So I’ll keep this note a bit shorter than usual.
I added the American Kennel Club (AKC) list of the top 10 most popular dog breeds of 2025 below. I have to say, I was a little surprised to see the Poodle bumped out of the top five. I’ve always had a soft spot for Poodles. Ours have always been true farm dogs. Super obedient, and aside from needing regular clipping, not shedding is a real bonus.
Many, many years ago, Jim and I, and one of our Instructors, found our way to the local animal shelter to see how Masterson Method techniques could work on dogs. It was our first foray into research beyond our own dogs. We were happily surprised to see how well it worked. Listen to Jim's point of view on what happened that day below.
I also included a couple of our Masterson Method Canine “Woof and Answer” videos from Facebook. These come out every Wednesday. If you would like a question answered, email us at dog@mastersonmethod.com.
In one, Stef Watts (our instructor in the UK) talks about why dogs sometimes fall asleep during a session. In the other, Dr. Robinett, DVM and co-author of Beyond Dog Massage, explains why working on the front end of a dog can help when they’re having hind-end issues. I added an anatomy photo from the book to help make that clearer.
And finally, I’ve highlighted two of our International Certified Practitioners Canine, one from the UK and one from Spain.
Alright, I’d better get back on the tractor before the four days of rain in the forecast roll in.
Like us,
Enjoy your dogs!
Conley and Jim
| |
The 10 Top Popular Breeds -
According to the AKC Website:
French Bull Dog Took the Lead!
| | |
The top 10 dog breeds are popular for a reason, and typically don’t shift too much. This year, the top five did see a shift: the Dachshund moved up in popularity from No. 6 to No. 5, pushing the Poodle out of the top five most popular dog breeds.
- French Bulldog
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Dachshund
- Poodle
- Beagle
- Rottweiler
- German Shorthaired Pointer
- Bulldog
Big Shifts of Popularity for 2025
With 202 breeds in the rankings, 2025 saw some major shifts in breed popularity. Some breeds saw climbs of nearly 30 spots, while others fell in popularity by the same amount. It’s important to note that while some breeds move down in the rankings, it may not mean that they’ve become less popular — it may just mean that another breed has become more popular and moved up.
Some breeds also stayed in the exact same spot, which in most cases means the rankings shifted around it in a way that kept it in the same spot. For example, one breed may be at No. 30 year-over-year, but that could mean that one breed moved up in popularity while another moved down, cancelling out any obvious movement for certain breeds.
| | |
"Woof and Answer" from our
MM Canine Facebook Page
| | |
Question: "I’ve tried some of the techniques with my dog, and he usually ends up falling asleep. Am I overdoing it? How long can I do The Masterson Method® with my dog?"
Answer: If your dog ends up falling totally asleep and he’s not giving you any responses, he’s definitely finished with the session. Instructor Stef Watts shares from her experience that around 40 minutes is often a natural window for a session.
That’s usually when:
🔸 Your dog may drift into a deep state of relaxation, so deep that they stop giving responses to your touch.
🔸 Or their body shifts into a “sorting-itself-out” mode, where they’re processing and integrating what just happened.
🔸 Or they simply let you know they’re done, giving a big wake-up shake or asking to leave the room.
Every dog is different—and they’ll let you know (in their own way) when enough is enough.
| |
Jim Talks About His First
Time Working at a Rescue Site
| |
"Woof and Answer" from our
MM Canine Facebook Page
| | |
Question: "My dog struggles with his back legs and seems really tight in his chest and shoulders. Is that connected?”
Answer: Yes, this is very common. When dogs have hind-end mobility issues, they often rely much more on their front legs. Over time, that compensation can create significant tension through the sternum, rib cage, and pectoral muscles.
In the video, Dr. Robinett explains that when she first worked in this dog’s sternum, he had a very big response. After that initial release, she didn’t see the same level of response there again, because the tension was no longer present. This is often what happens once deep, long-held restriction has been released.
| | See below: Page 74 of the Beyond Dog Massage book shows the anatomy. Follow along to page 77 where Jim gives you a step-by-step overview of the technique. | | Canine Zoom Courses for 2026 | | |
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 emotional needs. In this course, you and your canine companion will build connection, enhance movement, and improve comfort.
Saturdays at 9:00 am CT June 6, 13, 20, 2026 with Leslie Kennedy
| | |
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.
Thursdays at 6:00 pm CT April 9, 16, 23, 2026 with Amelia Nalli
Sundays at 11:00 am CT, April 12, 19, 26, 2026, with Stef Watts
| |
Read and Release Testimonial from
Owner Dana on Her Dogs
| | Listen to Dana, owner of Beau and Daisy talk about how the two dogs have changed in different ways due to the Read and Release Course: | |
Newly Certified Practitioners - Canine
Need Help For Your Dog?
| | |
Find a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner (MMCP) Canine near you. Our Certified Practitioners are dedicated professionals who have acquired highly attuned skills in partnering with the dog to release tension and increase range of motion, thereby restoring healthy posture and performance. Add an MMCP Canine to your dog’s wellness team by visiting the Masterson Method Website (top right corner of home page) and look for the link to find a Certified Practitioner Canine near you.
We will be highlighting new Certified Practitioners so you can get to know them!
| |
Sonia Bascuñana Borrás
Barcelona, Spain
In the equine world, people talk about your 'heart horse' when you meet that special horse with which you grow, learn and share so much love that they become key in your life.
I didn’t think that this could happen with dogs too, until my dog Trufa accidentally came into my life 5 years ago, and turns out there can be a 'heart dog' too in your life. I had to learn so much and so fast about dogs, but it was impossible not to when they share so much joy and love with you.
Since I had already certified as an Equine Masterson Method Practitioner, I had no doubt that this method would also work beautifully with dogs, so I decided to take the courses and earn the certification.
Through this bodywork, dogs are given the space to soften, rebalance, and feel more at ease in their bodies, always at their own pace and through their responses.
The reason to learn and practice it is the same for dogs as for horses: they give us SO much that I feel we almost owe them back, so we can help them feel comfort and release tension, keeping them healthy and happy for the longest time. Can you think of a better reason than that?"
| |  |
Catherine Anthony
Bedford, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
Having been an MMCP Equine for many years this was a natural progression to bring Jim’s work to the Canines.
Dogs have been as much a part of my life as the horses growing up in a family where we had pet dogs and other dogs which seemed to find us looking for a home: rescues, unwanted, strays and injured.
Dogs enjoy this gentle yet effective therapy where we are working with them to release tension and stiffness. It complements the other modality which I practice Tucker Biokinetic Technique – an Energy Healing Therapy.
Being able to treat these amazing animals is a pleasure being guided by them to what they need at this time through observation, connection and communication.
| | | | | |
