Tellington TTouch- A Treat for your Dog's Mind, Body and Soul
By Annette Jonczyk, Tellington TTouch practitioner

Do you have a young dog that is hyper and hard to control, does your pal drive you crazy with constant barking or chewing, is your newly adopted best friend shy and withdrawn, would you like your canine athlete to be more focused to improve his performance, or is your loyal companion stiff from old age and has a hard time moving around? Then Tellington TTouch may be just the thing for you!

The Tellington TTouch Training is a gentle approach to influencing your animal's behavior, health and performance. Developed by world renowned animal expert Linda Tellington-Jones the method utilizes circular touches, strokes and lifts performed on the animal's skin. With those non-habitual movements and manipulations of the body we release tension, fear and pain on a cellular level, awaken new brain cells and activate unused neural pathways. We help our furry friend to let go of old response patterns and teach him that new choices are possible.

Meet Dewey, a delightful, little mixed breed dog that had been recently adopted from a shelter by a doting couple. The young dog was adapting nicely to his new home, and a dog trainer was hired to teach this playful boy some basic manners. There was just one thing that made Dewey different from most other dogs: he was blind and had the habit of spiraling in counterclockwise circles instead of walking in a straight line, in the house and also on leash walks outside. He was also very aware of heights and afraid of crossing a bridge or walking down the stairs in his home. When being carried he would cling to the person in fear. Over the course of several sessions I showed Dewey’s guardians which TTouches could be used to release tension from his shoulders and help him feel relaxed all over. We also used a body wrap to increase Dewey’s awareness of his own body and give him a sense of security. The gentle constant pressure of the wrap was calming and indeed helped this canine companion overcome his fear: a week after my second visit Dewey had gained enough confidence to walk down the stairs spontaneously. He was so proud that he did it several times in a row.

I also showed the owners a gentle way to get him used to a head collar which then served as a useful tool to give Dewey directional signals each time his nose went to the left to begin the circling behavior. We did leading exercises through an obstacle course called Confidence Course or Playground for Higher Learning. The exercises are designed to teach the dog focus, physical balance, which goes hand in hand with mental and emotional balance, and build his confidence by setting him up for success. We used no force but rather gained his cooperation through gentle encouragement and subtle yet clear signals on his collar and halter. It worked for Dewey! He has gained much confidence and the circling behavior was reduced.

Through TTouch you can connect with your animal friend on a deeper level. You may start to see his possibilities rather than his limitations, which will strengthen the bond between you.
Animals are important in our lives as they often assume the role of our teachers. They deserve to be treated with respect and understanding. So, go ahead, learn more about what TTouch can do for you and your canine companion by visiting http://www.ttouch.com . Your dog will love you for it!

Copyright © 2003 - Richard Green and Chris Vassonei