Dandy's TTouch journey...

Dandy in his crate waiting to go to TTouch....

  

Dandy has been busy, busy, busy with TTouch! In the coming days you will see the progress that he has made over the last couple of months. We began taking Dandy to TTouch in the hopes of building his confidence and helping him to find some comfort living in his body. Dandy suffered a good amount of abuse before coming into foster care with us so he's an underconfident, fearful, anxious boy who doesn't trust that he won't be hurt.

When Dandy first started TTouch with his practitioner (Lori Stevens) he was apprehensive about being touched and wrapping was not an option because of his fear. So, there was a lot of trust building and moving at Dandy's pace. Once Dandy realized that he could trust Lori he quickly exceled in his sessions and we began to see a more confident and more relaxed Dandy.  Lori also started working on Dandy's back end - tail and legs.  Dandy carries a ton of tension (and there was a lot built up) in his back end.  His back legs stick straight and he had no concept that the bend. 

For those of you new to TTouch here are my past entries of Dandy's TTouch journey:

http://cattierattie.blogspot.com/2012/06/i-took-dandy-to-his-first-ttouch.html

http://cattierattie.blogspot.com/2012/06/whats-dandy-been-up-to.html

http://cattierattie.blogspot.com/2012/08/whos-this-dog.html

http://cattierattie.blogspot.com/2012/08/dandy-is-all-wraped-up-in-pink.html

http://cattierattie.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-is-ttouch.html

http://cattierattie.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-ttouch-workshop-part-1.html

http://cattierattie.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-ttouch-workshop-part-2.html

http://cattierattie.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-ttouch-workshop-part-3.html

http://cattierattie.blogspot.com/2012/08/dandy-is-all-wraped-up-in-pink.html

http://cattierattie.blogspot.com/2012/09/ttouch-workshop-part-i.html

http://cattierattie.blogspot.com/2012/09/ttouch-workshop-part-i_19.html

http://cattierattie.blogspot.com/2012/09/dandy-boy-who-has-come-so-far.html

 

You may ask the question "what exactly is TTouch?" Here's a brief overview: 

 

There are 3 basic components of TTouch:

1) Bodywork - gentle, non-invasive and non-habitual pressure touch

2) Equipment and Tools (includes body wraps) - these bring awareness and change to animals

3) Movement work - this builds confidence, improves focus, and encourages balance (mental, physical and emotional)

 

Tellington TTouch is a gentle and unique method of working with both health and behavioral problems in animals. It includes both bodywork and movement exercises that positively influence behavior, performance, co-ordination, balance and well-being, while deepening understanding and the relationship between humans and animals. These, non-invasive touches & exercises influence habitual patterns of tension and posture by giving new information to the nervous system. TTouch is a method based on circular movements of the fingers and hands all over the body. The intent of the TTouch is to activate the function of the cells and awaken cellular intelligence - a little like turning on the electric lights of the body. TTouch is done on the entire body, and each circular TTouch is complete within itself. Using a combination of specific touches, lifts, and movement exercises, TTouch helps to release tension and increase body awareness. This allows the animal to be handled without provoking typical fear responses. The animal can then more easily learn new and more appropriate behaviors. As a result, animals relax and learn to make better choices. TTouch is based on cooperation and understanding rather than dominance. These techniques promote optimal performance and health without fear or force.

 

Dandy hoping that today is a TTouch session day!