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Basic Tellington
TTouch Getting Started |
| This is a very basic over view of some of the most common
TTouches. It is here to give people a starting point if they are trying to find out more
about this work over the internet. I have listed some more research rescouces at the
bottom of this page.
TTouch is now right at the top of my
'toolbox' and frequently used as a starting point to ease aggressive, stress related and
boistrous behaviour, as well as easing discomfort from physical problems. It eases the way
in a retraining programme and also gives the owner a way to make a positive connection in
what has frequently become a dented relationship.
TTouch is also a huge part of our puppy
and dog training courses. TTouch body work is a wonderful way for the family and dog to
form an even closer bond and if the puppy or dog is confident when physically handled he
is more likely to be happy and more confident when visiting the vets or the grooming
salon. The groundwork exercises are brilliant for helping dogs to learn to walk in balance
and walk nicely on a loose lead.
With practice and experience, the TTouches
used become more intuitive. The hands seem to just know where to go and which TTouches to
use. If an animal is anxious about physical contact it can sometimes help to just sit
quietly with him for a while, waiting for them to accept your physical presence. It helps
if they are 'attached' on a long loose lead. It is important not to focus too attention by
looking directly at or speaking to the animal much in the 'need to help this poor animal'
as it can get the sense that you are too intense and this pushes them further away. When
an animal is very reactive and touch sensitive, wands, a piece of sheepskin, cotton sock
or towel can really help them to begin to accept TTouch. ALWAYS work at a pace that the
animal can cope with. |
Before Starting To
Work With Animals & Clouded Leopard |
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Practice the most common and
basic CLOUDED LEOPARD TTouch on your own arm. Think of a clock face with 6 o'clock always
the closest to the ground i.e. the lowest point of gravity. Curve your fingers slightly
and using the pads of the first three fingers, gently move the skin in a clockwise
direction all the way round to 6 and on to 8/0 o'clock. You will have completed one circle
and a quarter. The thumb should be held apart from your fingers, gently rest it on the
animal and keep it still to balance the movement of your fingers. When you have completed
one circle and a quarter lift your fingers and thumb and move to start another. It is
essential to keep your hands relaxed and as you learn, sometimes you can be concentrating
so hard that your fingers become a little tense and start 'digging'. Remember to breathe -
it's easy to forget and hold your breath when you are concentrating and this stiffens your
whole body. The pressure needs to be just sufficient to move the skin gently. Avoid
sliding over the skin as this can be really irritating - care needs to be taken with long
coated animals or the human head (... well assuming it's got hair!). If you have a friend
or partner who is prepared to help, you can obtain useful information about your progress
in learning the TTouches. Get feed back on how it feels if you don't complete the circle
or press too hard or don't breathe evenly - this can really help to improve your
technique.
The basic circles can be
practised all over the body and have different animal names, dependant on the which part
of the hand and/or fingers are used. The CLOUDED LEOPARD uses the pads of the first three
fingers, ABOLONI uses the palm of the hand, BEAR uses the nails, RACCOON uses the tips of
the fingers and there are many more. The size of the circle is dependant on how loose the
skin is in a given area. Remember to move after each completed circle. It can be very
irritiation if you continue to circle on the same spot.
When you feel ready to work
with an animal, pick a quiet time so that you can make a connection with each other. It
helps to gently rest your other hand on the animal to connect the assist with your own
physical balance and ensure that you do not lean any weight on the animal. Begin by gently
but firmly running your hand all over the body, ensure that your breathe evenly and
observe the animal carefully. Try to be aware of what he is trying to show you, he may
move away from your hand as you touch certain areas, respect that and make a mental note
of where the animal feels comfortable or less comfortable being touched. If the animal is
anxious and moving away from the palm of your hand, he may feel more confident if you turn
your hand over and touch him with the other side. It holds less heat and also many animals
have experienced being grabbed and held by human hands so are naturally suspicious.
Find a nice, safe,
comfortable area of the body to begin your circles. As the animal becomes more relaxed
TTouch the sensitive area fleetingly and quickly move back to the 'safe' area, almost
before the animal realises what has happened. He will quickly understand that you will not
push them past theri comfort zone and relax to your touch. Prepare to take time and maybe
a few sessions building confidence in you. If the animal is extrememly sensitive, work for
a couple of minutes and give time out, then work briefly again etc. |
Ear
TTouches |
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| Are generally
enjoyable, very calming/comforting and helps with nausea. This TTouch is excellent to use
when there has been trauma and can prevent an animal (or human) from going into life
threatening shock. It helps when an animal is waking from a general anaesthetic as it
eases the way back to consciousness. You can use three different ways to work the ears.
Using thumb and index finger
of one hand, while gently supporting the head and base of the ear for flop eared animals,
slide gently but firmly from base to tip. Making sure that you stroke right off the tip of
the ear to release any tension that has followed your movement. Repeat until you have
worked over the whole ear - then work the other. If the dog is very stressed, it can also
help to shake your wrist occasionally to release any hand tension you may have picked up
from the animal. Turn your shoulder away to keep well away from their face.
Small circles, gently moving
the skin between finger and thumb in a circle and a quarter and working from the base of
the ear to the tip in vertical lines. Move up after each little circle until you have
worked the whole ear, then work the other.
Using the tips of the
fingers, make small circles and a quarter all around the base of the ear. Moving after
each little circle. There are many acupuncture points in this area and this TTouch seems
to stimulate them in a helpful way. |
| Are
used on larger areas where there is alot of skin movement. This is a lovely introductory
TTouch for an animal who is very tense. The palm of the hand is used to make the circles
rather than the finger tips. It is also used in combination with the PYTHON LIFT (below)
and is great for tension release. |
| This is a
good TTouch to use where the CLOUDED LEOPARD seems too intense to begin with, or on larger
areas where there is more skin movement. It uses all of the fingers, rather than just the
finger pads. |
| This is a
gentle upward lift rather than a circular motion. Among it's many uses it can help to
bring an animal into a state of mental and emotional balance. The whole hand is placed on
the body with just enough pressure to GENTLY lift the skin, breathe as you lift, hold for
a few seconds and then slowly return the skin to where you started, breathing out slowly
as you do so. |
Mouth TTouches |
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| Help with
fearful or excitable behaviour to aid relaxation, improve focus and restore emotional
balance. Sit so that you are behind the animal's head, cupping the muzzle gently. Stroke
back along the muzzle, taking great care not to pull the whiskers. Circular touches all
over the top of the head and muzzle are a great preparation. Move after each circle. As
the animal relaxes and accepts this, with your thumb on the outside, curl your fingers and
gently slide them under the lip. Slide fingers and thumb down simultaneously to gently
release tension int he lips. Smalle one a a quarter circles with one finger tip inside the
mouth, all around the gum line can really help to release tension. |
| Keeping
the tail in a straight line with the body, stroke down a few times to introduce touch to
this area. With one hand near the base of the tail gently circle the tail, first in
one direction a few times and then the other. To finish, slide your hand down the tail in
gentle pull and hold movements. Also work RACCOON (finger tip circles) TTouches all over
the tail. TTouches all around the hind quarters and tail is really helpful with fearful
behaviour and sound sensitivity.
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| Can be done using the hands linked
under the belly. However, a folded towel or even better a wide ACE Wrap are preferable as
they distribute the gentle pressure more evenly. Start just behind the front legs and
gently lift the abdomen, hold and then slowly release, remembering to breathe as you do
so. Move a few inches back and repeat until you are as close to the hind quarters as is
comfortable for the animal. This is a lovely TTouch for animals with digestive problems,
sore back, anxiety etc. |
| Some long coated
animals are less comfortable with the usual TTouches. Take a small clump of hair near the
base, move the coat gently in one and a quarter circles and then gentley slide the fingers
off the end of the hair. |
| Is very important
when using TTouch. Remember that this is something that you are doing FOR not TO the
animal. Think positive and gentle thoughts, work for now - don't think in terms an end
result. Meet the animal how it feels today, not how you wish it felt. He has to know that
you are trying to help and will be pleased with any improvement you can make together -
however small. This gives a basis to build on and the results can be amazing. |
| This is just a thumbnail sketch of
Tellington TTouch. There are also a series of groundwork exercises and body wraps, which
can be used to help an animal to achieve emotional and physical balance. It is difficult
to explain this work by writing, as it is very much something that you feel. TTouch is
best seen at first hand, demonstrated by an experienced person. If there are any seminars
or workshops in your area, I would urge you to try to go along. There is no great mystery
or magic to this work, any of us can learn a little of it to help our animal companions. |
Marie Miller, 61 Grange Road, Longford, Coventry. CV6 6DB
Telephone: 02476 366090
Mobile: 07774 220049 |
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©Marie Miller -
TTouch Practitioner 3 - Paws'n'Learn 2008
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