November 2026 Canine Newsletter

Change in the Weather

In the Northern Hemisphere, fall is here, or will be soon. Shorter daylight hours and a change in weather can unsettle a dog’s circadian rhythm, which can affect your dog’s energy. Have you noticed Fido napping more often and seeming a bit lethargic of late? Pups heading into or just past middle age may show morning stiffness or struggle to get up from a rest. Barometric shifts affect joint health, making these issues more noticeable. Your dog may even hesitate before hopping up on their favorite chair or climbing the stairs. This seasonal laziness, combined with consistent food intake, can lead to extra weight gain if we’re not careful. 

What can we do to help our pups remain healthy, active, and comfortable through the seasonal changes? Keep up walks even if the timing changes. Wear reflective gear if you are out in the early morning or evenings as daylight hours shorten. Find engaging indoor activities; scent activity or puzzle games can stimulate both your dog and you in play. These can be great fun for everyone as a replacement for the daylong nap. 

Scent activity game

Items needed:

Essential oil: choose only 1 - anise, clove, or birch

1 small tin with a lid 

1 Q-Tip

Assemble:

Poke a few small holes in the tin lid

Dip the Q-Tip end in essential oil

Place the oil-soaked Q-Tip end in the tin and cover with the perforated lid. 

Directions:

Now it’s time to introduce your dog to this new game! Choose a word for the cue, keep it simple, such as “seek,” and let them have a sniff. Now place a small treat on the lid so the dog gets a good sniff as they pick up the treat when you give your cue to “seek!” Depending on your dog, you may need to repeat this several times before placing the tin down without the treat, a little further away, and directing them to seek the tin. The instant your dog touches the tin, give them the treat, toy, or whatever their motivator is. Once the two of you have established how this game works, you can begin to place the tin in less conspicuous places until you can hide it behind a door, under a chair, or elsewhere. 

This game not only gives you both an engaging activity; it turns on your dog’s sniffer and gets the olfactory factory working overtime. Now nap time will be a well-earned reward and not giving in to the Autumn lazies. Have fun!

Kalin, Dodger, Zsasz and Ecco

Craft Corner

Send in your Dog's Holiday Photo

Let us see your dog in their festive holiday spirit! Send in your holiday dog photo to dog@mastersonmethod.com to share in the December newsletter for some tail-wagging fun. 

Ecco & Zsasz in their holiday best

Health and Safety: Table Scraps

Holiday festivities are here, and that means leftovers are a juicy temptation for a kitchen dog.

Many of our typical holiday table scraps are dangerous for dogs; here is what to avoid giving to your dog over the holidays:

• Turkey bones can splinter and cause severe internal issues.
• Turkey skin is full of fat, and so are gravy and butter. Your dog will do better without this extra-rich offering, and they will still adore you.
• Many seasonings are better left off your dog’s plate, including onions, chives, nutmeg, and salt.
• Additional items such as raisins, the artificial sweetener xylitol, and flavorful casseroles will be better on the table than in the dog’s dish.
• Most of all, don’t overfeed your dog; take them for a walk instead!

Book Review

Greyfriars Bobby by Eleanor Atkinson, 1912

After the recent Masterson Method MMCP Gathering in the UK, I enjoyed a few delightful days in Edinburgh, Scotland. Dramatic Auld Reekie (that’s “Old Smoky” in Scots), bustling with tourists from across the globe, had one particular marker that stood out. Crowds of folks were queuing to get their photograph with Edinburgh’s most famed canine.

This notable wee doggie is Greyfriars Bobby, a Skye Terrier who is said to have spent 14 years guarding his master’s grave in the historic Greyfriars Kirkyard in the late 1800’s. You can easily find the bronze memorial statue on Candlemaker Row; just look for the crowds gathered there. Another marker for Bobby sits patiently within the famous kirkyard among the ancient headstones. 



Across town in St. Cuthbert’s Kirkyard lies the bronze statue tribute to Bum, the famous stray from San Diego, California, who is of the same era as Bobby. Today San Diego and Edinburgh share a canine sisterhood in honoring these stray town dogs. If you’re looking for a good read and to learn a bit of Auld Scots, I highly recommend Greyfriars Bobby, where you'll find adventure, warmth, and lessons from a wee Skye terrier on loyalty and devotion. 

Greyfriars Bobby Monument

San Diego's Burn

Dog Days/Holidays: Adopt a Senior Pet

November is National Adopt a Senior Month, raising awareness of our loyal companions this fall. If you’ve been considering adopting a dog, don't wait; make November the time. Statistics show senior dogs face significantly lower adoption rates in shelters, averaging barely 25% compared to 60% for their younger canine pals. There are lots of benefits of adopting a senior dog, including that they are usually already trained, less likely to chew your shoes, and ready for a calm, relaxing routine. 

Out here in California, there is a special shelter for senior dogs with a 100% adoption rate. Muttville is the country's first cage-free shelter and California's first senior dog rescue. It’s a new concept of what a shelter can be: a colorful, beautiful, comfortable paradise for dogs and the people who love them! Muttville’s mission is to change the way the world thinks about and treats older dogs. Check them out at muttville.org. Is there a senior shelter near you? 

What's your dog's favorite Masterson Method Read and Release technique? Dodger likes the scapula point, helping to release the tension that accumulates through the shoulder and forelimbs from all his running around. 

Canine Zoom Courses for 2026 - 2027

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.

Mondays at 3:00 pm CT, November 9, 16, 23, 2026 with Leslie Kennedy

Sundays at 9:00 am CT, January 10, 17, 24, 2027 with Leslie Kennedy - new price

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.

Fridays at 11:00 am CT, November 6, 13, 20, 2026 with Amelia Nalli

Tuesdays at 11:00 am CT, December 1, 8, 15, 2026 with Kalin Finsand

Saturdays at 11:00 am CT, February 6, 13, 20, 2027 with Amelia Nalli - new price

Find a Certified Canine Practitioner Near You!

Hope your Halloween was spooky and fun!