Observation
Very important part of Tellington TTouch® is observation. We must carefully observe the posture of an animal, its balance, movement, muscle structure, breathing, texture and appearance of its coat, temperature changes on the skin, position of the tail and legs... All of these factors can have a significant impact on the mental and emotional state of the animal. We must also take the time to check how the animal responds to physical contact of a human and how it moves in a space. Once we get as much data as possible, we can start to work with an animal.
It is important that we see what animal can achieve, rather than what not. Working with positive visualization makes a huge difference as well. Animals, like us humans, prefer to respond to positive motivation rather than negative.
Tellington TTouch® Method is able to recognize link between posture and behavior. During body and ground work we relax tension and therefore achieve calmness and well-being. This hugely improves self-esteem and self-control of the animal. This is also the beauty of Tellington TTouch® Method; when animal reaches a certain level of self-confidence and self-control, this consequently influences both - posture and behavior.
It is important that we see what animal can achieve, rather than what not. Working with positive visualization makes a huge difference as well. Animals, like us humans, prefer to respond to positive motivation rather than negative.
Tellington TTouch® Method is able to recognize link between posture and behavior. During body and ground work we relax tension and therefore achieve calmness and well-being. This hugely improves self-esteem and self-control of the animal. This is also the beauty of Tellington TTouch® Method; when animal reaches a certain level of self-confidence and self-control, this consequently influences both - posture and behavior.
Tellington TTouch® for horses
Tellington TTouch® Method gives you a deeper understanding of the horse on a more personal level. It is an ideal approach to eliminate unwanted behaviors, help to improve the health and psychological state, as well as to enhance communication and responsiveness of your horse.
Usually, horse’s inappropriate behavior is response to pain, stiffness or fear. Tellington TTouch® Method will help you find the cause of misbehavior and eliminate it.
The method is appropriate for both horse and its owner. You can use the method if you want more connectedness with your four-legged friend or save it from any difficulty. The positive effects of the method are also recorded in the field of sports riding. Today, we can find a lot of riders who compete in the national level or the Olympics and are using Tellington TTouch® Method on their horse. It has been established, that a rider who has used Tellington TTouch® began to look at the horse in a different way. Riders started paying attention to communication and understanding with their horse and were later able to gain horse's complete trust. Competition horses showed improvement in athletic skills and increased willingness and ability to perform.
Usually, horse’s inappropriate behavior is response to pain, stiffness or fear. Tellington TTouch® Method will help you find the cause of misbehavior and eliminate it.
The method is appropriate for both horse and its owner. You can use the method if you want more connectedness with your four-legged friend or save it from any difficulty. The positive effects of the method are also recorded in the field of sports riding. Today, we can find a lot of riders who compete in the national level or the Olympics and are using Tellington TTouch® Method on their horse. It has been established, that a rider who has used Tellington TTouch® began to look at the horse in a different way. Riders started paying attention to communication and understanding with their horse and were later able to gain horse's complete trust. Competition horses showed improvement in athletic skills and increased willingness and ability to perform.
Tellington TTouch® for dogs and other animals
Tellington TTouch® Method was initially developed to help and support working with horses. Many owners changed the relationship and communication with their horse. The method also proved to be beneficial to other animals and even humans. Today, Tellington TTouch® for dogs and other animals is the method, based on respect and recognition of animals as living beings. In Tellington TTouch® Method we rather choose cooperation over domination.
It is a unique and professional approach to training and care, which was developed by internationally recognized expert on animals and author Linda Tellington-Jones.
Method is based on a belief that animals are intelligent beings, which can understand what we want from them, without coercion, pain and nervousness. Tellington TTouch® Method aims to establish balance between psychological, physical and emotional part of an animal, which ensures a happy and cheerful life for our four-legged friends.
It is a unique and professional approach to training and care, which was developed by internationally recognized expert on animals and author Linda Tellington-Jones.
Method is based on a belief that animals are intelligent beings, which can understand what we want from them, without coercion, pain and nervousness. Tellington TTouch® Method aims to establish balance between psychological, physical and emotional part of an animal, which ensures a happy and cheerful life for our four-legged friends.
How to perform TTouch®
Linda introduces the method:
Tellington TTouch® Method is based on circular moves, slides and strokes that are performed with fingers or hands on the body of an animal or human being. The purpose of TTouch® touches is to activate cellular functions and awaken the cell intelligence - think of ‘’turning on the electric lights in the body’’. The method can be done all over the body and each circular TTouch® is unique. Therefore it is not necessary to know the anatomy of the body to be successful in successful healing of injuries, elimination of health problems or in changing unwanted habits and behaviors.
We imagine the dial of a clock with a diameter of about 1-3 cm on the body of an animal. We place slightly bent fingers in the position of "the six" or at number six on the clock and then we push the skin around to perform a full circle and a quarter. The thumb is approx. 2-8 cm away from forefinger, but we try to feel the connection between all the fingers. If it’s possible, use your other hand and gently support the animal's body. We maintain a steady tempo and pressure, regardless of whether the touch is gentle or stronger. We pay particular attention to form proper circles.
First few magic circles can be done without any special pattern. Then we work parallel along the body and between two adjacent circles we slip over the fur with our fingers. Connected circles release, and increase self-esteem.
In most cases, the magic circles in a clockwise direction are appropriate for rehabilitation of the body. But sometimes is more appropriate to work in a counter-clockwise direction. Practice magic circles in both directions and trust your fingers if they want to move in the opposite directions.
Tellington TTouch® Method is based on circular moves, slides and strokes that are performed with fingers or hands on the body of an animal or human being. The purpose of TTouch® touches is to activate cellular functions and awaken the cell intelligence - think of ‘’turning on the electric lights in the body’’. The method can be done all over the body and each circular TTouch® is unique. Therefore it is not necessary to know the anatomy of the body to be successful in successful healing of injuries, elimination of health problems or in changing unwanted habits and behaviors.
We imagine the dial of a clock with a diameter of about 1-3 cm on the body of an animal. We place slightly bent fingers in the position of "the six" or at number six on the clock and then we push the skin around to perform a full circle and a quarter. The thumb is approx. 2-8 cm away from forefinger, but we try to feel the connection between all the fingers. If it’s possible, use your other hand and gently support the animal's body. We maintain a steady tempo and pressure, regardless of whether the touch is gentle or stronger. We pay particular attention to form proper circles.
First few magic circles can be done without any special pattern. Then we work parallel along the body and between two adjacent circles we slip over the fur with our fingers. Connected circles release, and increase self-esteem.
In most cases, the magic circles in a clockwise direction are appropriate for rehabilitation of the body. But sometimes is more appropriate to work in a counter-clockwise direction. Practice magic circles in both directions and trust your fingers if they want to move in the opposite directions.
The pressure of the touch
The pressure of the TTouch® ranges on a scale from 1 to 9. To help you better understand the scale you need to learn the "pressure one". Gently place thumb on your cheek. Use the tip of the forefinger or middle finger to touch your eyelids and as gently as possible move the skin for one and quarter of a circle. Move the skin, not just rub it. Then repeat the movement on your forearm; this will give you a sense of pressure. Pay attention to how small the dent on your skin is when you press. This is what we call the "pressure one."
For the "pressure three" repeat the exercise on the eyelid, but push as much as is comfortable and safe. Then press again to check on your forearm and observe the depth of the dent on your skin under your fingers. Dent must be relatively small. This is called "pressure three."
If we double the pressure, we get "pressure six". We rarely use more than "pressure five" on dogs and cats. We use pressure nine on horses or humans sometimes but don’t triple "pressure three" and rather bend the first knuckles of the fingers so that the nails are facing straight into the muscle, and use "pressure three" (see Bear TTouch® and Tiger TTouch® ). This TTouch® is more pleasant for the one that performs it. A person can feel a deeper connection than he would in case of a normal, much stronger pressure with the pads.
Experiment with different pressures until you find the one that fits your animal best. We only use gentler touch on smaller beings. Larger and more muscular animals may respond better to stronger pressure, but it’s not always like that. If you treat pain or inflammation, start with pressure two or pressure three, and only then you decide which you will use.
When you learn more about different TTouch® touches, your inner voice will tell you which one to use. If the animal doesn’t feel comfortable with the specified touch, choose another. With a lot of practice, you will learn to experience the benefits for both; your animals as well as yourself.
The pressure of the TTouch® ranges on a scale from 1 to 9. To help you better understand the scale you need to learn the "pressure one". Gently place thumb on your cheek. Use the tip of the forefinger or middle finger to touch your eyelids and as gently as possible move the skin for one and quarter of a circle. Move the skin, not just rub it. Then repeat the movement on your forearm; this will give you a sense of pressure. Pay attention to how small the dent on your skin is when you press. This is what we call the "pressure one."
For the "pressure three" repeat the exercise on the eyelid, but push as much as is comfortable and safe. Then press again to check on your forearm and observe the depth of the dent on your skin under your fingers. Dent must be relatively small. This is called "pressure three."
If we double the pressure, we get "pressure six". We rarely use more than "pressure five" on dogs and cats. We use pressure nine on horses or humans sometimes but don’t triple "pressure three" and rather bend the first knuckles of the fingers so that the nails are facing straight into the muscle, and use "pressure three" (see Bear TTouch® and Tiger TTouch® ). This TTouch® is more pleasant for the one that performs it. A person can feel a deeper connection than he would in case of a normal, much stronger pressure with the pads.
Experiment with different pressures until you find the one that fits your animal best. We only use gentler touch on smaller beings. Larger and more muscular animals may respond better to stronger pressure, but it’s not always like that. If you treat pain or inflammation, start with pressure two or pressure three, and only then you decide which you will use.
When you learn more about different TTouch® touches, your inner voice will tell you which one to use. If the animal doesn’t feel comfortable with the specified touch, choose another. With a lot of practice, you will learn to experience the benefits for both; your animals as well as yourself.