TTouch is a gentle and unique method of working with both health and behavioural problems in animals. Developed by internationally known animal expert, Linda Tellington-Jones, TTouch is based on cooperation and understanding. These revolutionary techniques promote optimal performance and health without fear or force. It utilizes bodywork as well as groundwork exercises.
What is body work?
TTouch bodywork uses a combination of circles, slides and lifts to increase awareness and sensation, reduce stress and relax tension held in the body. This allows the body to function to its full potential in the healing process. As the body comes into balance, we find that the mind and emotions follow. TTouch works via the neurological system of the body. Just as the brain sends messages to the body, the reverse is also true. Therefore, if there is tension in the body, there is a blockage of information to the brain. TTouch uses non-habitual movements to activate unused neurological pathways to the brain. This indeed turns uncooperative animals into willing partners. By stimulating different parts of the brain, we teach the animal to think and realise it has a choice of behaviour.
When would one use TTouch
- For improving behaviour or temperament
- An older animal that is in pain (i.e. arthritis, hip dysplasia, etc)
- Help injuries and surgery to heal more quickly
- To deepen the bond between you and your pet
- To improve your pet’s confidence, balance, agility or performance
- If your animal is fearful of thunder- storms and loud noises
- Sensory interaction and body awareness builds confidence
Getting a general feel for where Your pet is holding the tension and stress
We know from science that we hold emotional issues in the cellular structure of our bodies. Animals do the same. Try experiment with your pet and see if you can tell where he/she is holding his tension and issues.
Do some long steady strokes over every part of your pet’s body. Is there any area where you can’t touch? Or that your pet gives an indication that he might be concerned or uncomfortable?
The signs you might get include:
- Moving away
- Sitting especially when you get to the tail and hindquarter area
- Turning around to look at what you’re doing
- A calming signal (see Turid Rugaas’ book) such as yawning, licking of lips, scratching, chewing, sniffing etc
- Fooling around – trying to distract you
- Growl or try to bite. Please be careful and pay attention to the information your pet is giving you.
And what does this tell you? It could be several things:
- Your animal could have pain in that part of his body i.e. if he has arthritis
- He might have a memory of pain. Such as remembering a painful toe clip or having a past injury that he is still wary of in that part of his body
- Your pet could be holding emotional issues in that part of his body
- It’s important to know that this is the area where your pet feels unsafe and what we want to do is to give him a NEW experience of this part of his body. You might gently try going into these areas more frequently until he is more comfortable with touch.
Ear Slide
Place one hand under your dog’s muzzle. With your other hand, gently take the ear between thumb and forefinger and slide from the base of the ear towards the tip. Do a few slides on each ear. The pressure point at the tip of the ear is called the shock tip, and is great to calm dogs in an emergency. Doing these slides on the ears supports the immune system, beneficial for digestion and relieves nausea and upset tummies.
Connecting stroke
Gently slide your hand from the neck along the spine and down the back and ending at the tip of the tail. Slide your hands from the shoulder down the front legs ending at the paws. Slide your hand down the back legs ending at the paws.