Cat & Dog - Tellington Touch (T-Touch) Massage

What is T-Touch®?

Tellington T-Touch® was developed by Linda Tellington Jones as a method of behavioural modification and animal treatment without the use of force. Today it is used on animals and people to reduce tension and also treat some stress related problems.

What is involved?

The technique consists largely of controlled massage procedures, many of which, through their relaxing effects, help the animal to learn new and more appropriate behaviours more easily.

What sort of problems benefit?

T-Touch® is used as a training aid in dogs, cats and other animals. Conditions in which benefit has been noted include excessive barking and chewing, lead pulling, jumping up, aggressive behaviour, fear, shyness, excitability, car sickness and also some problems associated with ageing.

It is often advocated as part of general relaxation in many training programmes for both dogs and cats especially in very tense individuals. Thus it has been found useful in therapy programmes for anxious dogs who fear events over which they have no control, e.g, fireworks, thunderstorms or even the imminent departure of their owner from the premises.

What is involved?

As with any basic behaviour modification technique improvement is gradual. First the animal has to learn to relax as a result of the T-Touch® technique selected. The technique is then employed when the animal is confronted with the problem triggering the unwanted behaviour. Thus a dog that vocalises, soils inappropriately or becomes destructive on being left may be conditioned to relax in a normal environment as a result of one of the T-Touch® massage techniques. Once that has become established previous triggers signalling the immediate departure of the owner are put in place., e.g. putting on shoes, picking up car keys etc. The T-Touch® technique is then employed before any departure is made. The pet is thus gradually desensitised to the problem often using other established densensitisation techniques.

If, after reasonable rehearsal the animal does not relax then a less challenging procedure should be used, e.g. picking up the keys and then putting them down before massaging the dog etc.

Is special training necessary before I can administer T-Touch®

It is important that you are personally relaxed and the easiest way to achieve this is by controlled deep breathing. In this way you do not communicate tension to the animal. When tense it is impossible to apply the 'touches' properly since in effect T-Touch® involves a partnership between you and your pet.

Every animal varies and the right pressure for one may not be the same for another. This is part of the skill of the therapist. Practice with a friend in order to get feedback as to whether you are generating the right feel. Remember the 'touches' have to be repeated several times over different parts of the body.

Are there many different T-Touches®?

There are a whole range of T-Touches® that have been found to be helpful. In consequence they have been given specific and in many cases evocative names in order to identify them. For example the Clouded Leopard is a basic circular movement that is used in many animals especially highly muscled dogs. Press one hand on the animal and gently cup the other like a paw. The pads of the thumb and the fingers should be in gentle contact with the body but not moving. The three middle finger pads should be held together. The skin is then moved in a clockwise direction starting with an upward motion, moving in a small circle about half an inch in diameter. After making one and a bit revolutions you then move to another part of the animal's body and repeat the process. Rapid circles appear to increase alertness and slower ones release muscular tension and enhance breathing

There is also the Lying Leopard which is very similar to the Clouded Leopard. This involves the same circular movements but the hand is held a little flatter so there is more hand surface in contact with the animal's body. The increased contact with the dog appears to improve the relaxation generated particularly in fearful or easily startled dogs. If very excited start by making a few circles quickly and then slowing down as the dog calms down. This particular touch is reputed to help relieve the pain associated with some injuries.

A further modification of this circular motion is the Abalone, also used to calm anxious and excitable animals. The full hand is placed in contact with the animal and moved in a one and a quarter circle but the stroke ends with a reverse action.

Another touch which is frequently used is the so-called Tarantulas Pulling the Plough. Here a fold of skin is taken between the thumb and forefingers of each hand with the thumbs behind the fold touching one another. The fingers are then walked against the natural lie of the hair with the thumbs gently pushing the fold along from behind. This is often used in animals that are very sensitive to touch.

Other techniques include ear and mouth work, again endeavouring to calm and relax the animal.

Will it help if I try to employ some of these techniques?

It is our experience that T-Touch® does help a large proportion of animals. Obviously, particularly with ear and mouth work caution has to be employed. We will be more than happy to advise on this and to work with you to evolve efficient procedures for you to work through.

T-Touch®, when employed with confident and relaxed actions by the therapist often helps to avoid problems that can arise with nervous animals. For example it is useful easing the tension of animals in the veterinary surgery.

What are the sources of further information?

Linda Tellington-Jones' site in the USA http://www.tellingtontouch.com gives a world of information about T-Touch®.

The Tellington-Touch® (1992), Tellington-Jones L and Taylor S published by Cloudcraft Books (UK)