The Forward Thinking Approach The Forward Thinking Approach to Training, Handling and to Training, Handling and

RehabilitationRehabilitation

Photographs courtesy of David and Charles Publishing LtdPhotographs courtesy of David and Charles Publishing Ltd

Cookie Dough DynamoCookie Dough Dynamo

• Cookie was left outside Battersea Dogs Cookie was left outside Battersea Dogs and Cats Home when she was ten weeks and Cats Home when she was ten weeks old.old.

• She bit and growled when handled and She bit and growled when handled and was in a constant state of arousalwas in a constant state of arousal

• She came to me on foster when she was She came to me on foster when she was twenty weeks oldtwenty weeks old

SkipperSkipper

• Skipper is a young terrier who was under Skipper is a young terrier who was under socialised in his previous homesocialised in his previous home

• He lunged at dogs, bit strangers, had a He lunged at dogs, bit strangers, had a high chase drive and disliked being high chase drive and disliked being groomedgroomed

• His dedicated owners were desperate to His dedicated owners were desperate to help him but were considering the option help him but were considering the option of re-homing himof re-homing him

Problem BehaviourProblem Behaviour

The majority of unwanted behaviours are The majority of unwanted behaviours are usually more of a problem for the usually more of a problem for the owner/carer and society than the animal owner/carer and society than the animal itselfitself

The unwanted behaviours will have The unwanted behaviours will have served a purpose for that animal served a purpose for that animal

• They may have enabled the animal to They may have enabled the animal to protect valuable resourcesprotect valuable resources

• Deal with stressDeal with stress• Helped him to feel safeHelped him to feel safe• Reduced boredomReduced boredom• Kept people and other perceived or real Kept people and other perceived or real

threats awaythreats away• But may limit the animal’s chances of leading But may limit the animal’s chances of leading

a happy and contented lifea happy and contented life

Changing habitsChanging habits

• In order to improve an animals behaviour In order to improve an animals behaviour you need to give him an alternative and you need to give him an alternative and more appropriate way of expressing more appropriate way of expressing himselfhimself

• The focus should be on what he The focus should be on what he cancan do, do, not what he not what he can’tcan’t do do

• You may also need to be aware of your You may also need to be aware of your own habits and change them tooown habits and change them too

Posture and BehaviourPosture and Behaviour

• TTouch recognises an inextricable TTouch recognises an inextricable connection between posture and connection between posture and behaviourbehaviour

• As tension is released from the body As tension is released from the body unwanted behaviours diminishunwanted behaviours diminish

• Self carriage, self control and self Self carriage, self control and self confidence are linkedconfidence are linked

Posture is influenced by:Posture is influenced by:

• Frustration and/or stressFrustration and/or stress• ConfusionConfusion• FearFear• Injury and diseaseInjury and disease• DietDiet• Birth traumaBirth trauma• BehaviourBehaviour

Behaviour is influenced byBehaviour is influenced by• PosturePosture• Stress, confusion, fear, pain, diseaseStress, confusion, fear, pain, disease• Previous experiences (or lack of them)Previous experiences (or lack of them)• Behaviour of other animals and peopleBehaviour of other animals and people• EnvironmentEnvironment• HormonesHormones• DietDiet• Natural instinctsNatural instincts

Tellington TTouchTellington TTouch

• The Tellington TTouch is a unique way of The Tellington TTouch is a unique way of working with all animals working with all animals

• It is kind and respectfulIt is kind and respectful• It enables humans to develop a deep It enables humans to develop a deep

understanding and appreciation for our understanding and appreciation for our animal companionsanimal companions

• And it enhances the lives of both the And it enhances the lives of both the giver and the receivergiver and the receiver

ObservationsObservations

• Responses to stimuliResponses to stimuli• PosturePosture• Coat patternCoat pattern• MovementMovement• RespirationRespiration• Body languageBody language

Flat hand assessmentFlat hand assessment

• Responses to contactResponses to contact• Temperature Temperature • Texture of coatTexture of coat• Mobility of skinMobility of skin• Mobility of ears, tail, limbsMobility of ears, tail, limbs• Muscle developmentMuscle development

EquipmentEquipment• Specific equipment can be useful in Specific equipment can be useful in

helping animals over come their concerns helping animals over come their concerns and their habitsand their habits

• The aim is to give the animal a new The aim is to give the animal a new experience, increase awareness of his experience, increase awareness of his posture/behaviour and change his posture/behaviour and change his expectationexpectation

• It can also be used to keep the handlers It can also be used to keep the handlers safesafe

SkipperSkipper

GroundworkGroundwork

• Ground work exercises for dogs and Ground work exercises for dogs and horses help to trigger the ‘feel good horses help to trigger the ‘feel good factor’factor’

• They improve physical balance which They improve physical balance which influences mental and emotional balanceinfluences mental and emotional balance

• They improve focus, increasing the They improve focus, increasing the potential for the animal to learn new and potential for the animal to learn new and more appropriate behavioursmore appropriate behaviours

Body WorkBody Work

• The TTouches break down into three The TTouches break down into three groups - circles, slides and liftsgroups - circles, slides and lifts

• They improve mind/body awarenessThey improve mind/body awareness• Release tensionRelease tension• Encourage deep breathingEncourage deep breathing• Enable the animal to over ride its Enable the animal to over ride its

instinctive behavioursinstinctive behaviours

Skippers UpdateSkippers Update

‘‘We are now able to take Skipper out without We are now able to take Skipper out without the muzzle and let him off lead in the the muzzle and let him off lead in the company of other dogs. He plays happily with company of other dogs. He plays happily with all sizes, colours and breeds and is even all sizes, colours and breeds and is even happy to share his toys but still returns to us happy to share his toys but still returns to us when called. He also loves to swim in the when called. He also loves to swim in the ponds, even in the chilliest of weather. He ponds, even in the chilliest of weather. He also now stands quietly while the horses with also now stands quietly while the horses with riders pass and (on the whole) ignores all the riders pass and (on the whole) ignores all the wild ponies and cattle grazing on the heath.wild ponies and cattle grazing on the heath.  

.  

He allows us to hold his paws to trim his nails and happily stands to be bathed and groomed.    The opportunity to introduce him to children has been limited but he is firm friends with the 8 year old daughter of a close friend of ours. It was truly a fortuitous day when we met you and the team and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts’ Meryl and Trevor

Skipper’s story is typical of the dogs that Skipper’s story is typical of the dogs that have been helped by TTouch have been helped by TTouch Practitioners around the worldPractitioners around the world

Cookie Dough Dynamo has matured into Cookie Dough Dynamo has matured into the most amazing dogthe most amazing dog

And lives with meAnd lives with me

Thank you ICAWC for getting in TTOUCHThank you ICAWC for getting in TTOUCH

www.ttouchtteam.co.ukwww.ttouchtteam.co.uk