The TTouch Method

Level heads prevail when we're cool, calm and collected. The same is true for animals. That's the theory behind Tellington TTouch method. Developed nearly 30 years ago, TTouch helps animals relax, making them more aware of their body and surroundings, thereby creating a better sense of confidence and overall well-being.

Dancing Porcupine's Creature Teacher, Stacy J. Lewis is one of only 15 Level 2 Certified TTouch practitioners in the world. (www.dancingporcupine.com) Based in Minneapolis, the former elementary art teacher recently worked with Cappy, my rescued miniature poodle with a penchant for biting.

Before the hour-long session, I provided Lewis with a basic background on Cappy: history, weight, age, diet, health and behavioral concerns. I was asked to have the dog on a leash upon Lewis' arrival and to give him a "high-stake" item such as a bone or treat-filled rubber chew toy.

At the door, Lewis immediately recognized the physical signs of distress and anxiety in Cappy: barking, jumping, panting, licking, chewing, shaking, wagging and wide eyes.

Distracting Cappy with the chew toy, Lewis explained more about the practice of TTouch. It's not the type of behavior modification that we may be familiar with from obedience classes, she said, but a way of relating to your animal.

"It's like blowing out the candles one by one before fire consumes the whole birthday cake," Lewis said. "It's a touch and movement that calms the animal so it can relax, think and make a different choice."

Lewis said the circular TTouch movements accomplish awareness and confidence in animals three ways: slowing the nervous system, helping the body's cells communicate more clearly and engaging both hemispheres of the brain at the same time.

We moved to the floor and Lewis demonstrated a few TTouch movements I could practice on Cappy. Not scratching, not patting, the technique utilizes the whole hand or fingertips while applying constant pressure and a continuous connection with the animal's body.

The first one, Noah's March, consisted of long strokes along the length of the dog starting at his neck. The second one, the Abalone, included gently applying my whole hand to Cappy's body, and moving it in a clockwise circle, one-and-a-quarter rotations. The third, the Python Lift, was like gently pushing your sleeves up, then slowly back down again.

Due to his history of biting, I was nervous about touching Cappy on certain parts of his body, especially his front legs and feet. Lewis recognized my fears and reminded me to take deep breaths while performing TTouch.

"When you hold your breath, Cappy holds his breath," she said. "If you are tense, he will sense your fear and he will be tense."

After several minutes of breathing and massaging coaching from Lewis, something amazing happened. The anxious, stiff, stressed out little dog relaxed his leg, let out a deep sigh and closed his eyes under my hands. That level of obvious relief and trust from Cappy was rare.

At the end of our session, Lewis provided a written report with her observations, treatments, animal responses and follow-up recommendations. She also suggested decreasing the amount of protein in Cappy's diet and reminded me to breathe while practicing my new techniques.

My introduction to TTouch immediately proved beneficial and left me wanting more. Like the relaxed, comfortable-in-your-own-skin feeling you get after a massage, your pets can benefit from the healing power of the laying on of hands.