Hi

I've heard about a dog training method called the Teddington Touch or something similar. I've searched Google and drawn a blank using that spelling, so what is the correct name. And does it work!  I'd like to try it on Charlie the westie.

John

John

It is called the Tellington Touch, try a search again on Google, it will bring something up this time ;)

Sandra

Hi there it is actually called the Tellington TTouch and you can find more information on http://www.ttouchtteam.co.uk/ you can find out about courses and workshops that they hold. I personally think that it works but would like to hear some info from someone who has actually been on one of the courses. hope this helps

sarah xxxx

I have been on 2 week long TTouch courses at Tilley Farm and have had great results both with my own dogs and others (dogs + other animals). I have an 8 year old very nervous dog who used to bark manically at anyone who approached her, was afraid anything new and couldn't be walked without a halti. She is now doing agility, going over obstacles that last year she wouldn't have even gone near, relaxed in a room full of strangers and walking on a "balance leash" (ordinary lead looped over the chest to balance dog).

The beauty of this approach is that anyone can do it - and the basic touches are very quick to learn. It works on the principle that we all have a lot of unused neural capability and that non-habitual actions and movements stimulate these unused neural pathways into action. So learning is accelerated and facilitated - and it enables animals to think rather than simply react. Similar approaches are used with dyslexic children - they are encouraged to do non-habitual actions, balancing exercises etc and it has been shown to help their learning. Animals of course can't do it for themselves so the touches do it for them - with the same effect. The basic TTouch is a one and a quarter circle repeated over the body. It is different to massage in the sense that the intention is not to physically release muscle tension but to move the body in such a way that the nervous system is stimulated.

Combined with the other elements of the approach (ground work exercises, body wraps) it can have amazing effects - but even the basic touches can make a huge difference. In training we work with dogs of all kinds, as well as cats, rabbits, owls, reptiles etc. Some of the most profound responses have been from the "wilder" animals - perhaps because you expect dogs to respond? But when a barn owl that has not been handled for a year and is flapping upside down on its handler's glove ends up cuddled into the handler with its eyes closed completely relaxed after a half hour session, and a 4 foot python which is wrapping itself round someone's arm and completely tensed up ends up stretched out across the knees of four people totally chilled - then you feel there is definitely something in it!!

I love it as an approach because it is completely non-confrontational - you meet the animal where it is and don't force anything on it - if it can't cope with being touched with a hand you do it with a feather or even at a distance until it is ready. It also does not require you to know "history" - assessment of an animal is done by looking at it as it is now - not by trying to work out why it is that way. Tension is held in the body so you can tell a lot by learning to read tension patterns, posture etc. - and similarly if you can release the physical tension, change posture etc. then you can change behaviour.

Would recommend anyone interested in this to find a weekend workshop run by a qualified practitioner and give it a go. Personally I think it is well worth it.

Janet

I think it's Tellington Touch, but could be wrong. :o

Edit: Ooh, loads of us posting at the same time!

Hi JG,

You'd think we all had nothing to do :D   I for one have had a very lazy day so better put the supper on .......

Teri :P

Hi John,

Think it's the "Tellington" Touch you should be looking for ;)  I've heard some swear by it and others think its gobbledy gook but haven't tried it personally.  Tried what I believe is a *similar* massage technique at a K9 workshop before and must admit the dogs seemed to enjoy it but when tried on my own lot they think it's too boring :rolleyes:

Amazon have the lady's book I think.  Best try Google again :P

regards, Teri

oooooops, all typing at the same time :D

Wow that was weird! Well, great minds think alike! :D

Sarah xxxx

:D :D :D