What is the Tellington TTouch® Method?

Tellington TTouch®

is a method of working with animals that has proven effective in reducing stress, fear, aggression and anxiety; as well as modify behavior, increase flexibility and—when combined with veterinarian care—aid in recovery. The approach is gentle yet systematic and helps animals to better cope with different and novel situations. It improves confidence, focus and learning.

With the use of gentle touches, body wraps and groundwork (a variety of exercises with equipment) we engage and calm the animal's nervous system as well as teach the animal to move in non-habitual ways. Since an animal that is stressed or anxious cannot learn, the incorporation of TTouch® allows me to aid an animal (in my case dogs, cats, birds and rabbits) by teaching them how to relax. The animal can then focus on learning new ways of coping with situations in which he previously reacted with fear, concern or anxiety.

Another terrific benefit of TTouch® is that it provides the guardian with the tools to engage with their animal in ways that are non-threatening—establishing or deepened the trust between them. As part of a TTouch® session you will learn how to use wraps and perform bodywork.

This service could be incorporated into a training session with your dog or as a TTouch® only session.

Monday, February 18, 2013

The Rolling Dog Project

The Rolling Dog Project's goal is to provide people who cannot acquire a cart for their disabled pets a cart free of charge.

Jerry West, who created this project, custom builds dog wheelchairs using pvc pipe. All carts are donated and he does not have any desire to sell them. Jerry started building them nearly 2 years ago when one of his dogs became paralyzed from cancer.

He does accept donations in the form of gift cards to stores where he purchases supplies from and 100% of the money goes to helping animals whose people cannot afford to purchase a cart.

To learn more about The Rolling Dog Project, please visit here: http://www.facebook.com/TheRollingDogProject

Monday, September 10, 2012

3 DAY INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP TO THE TELLINGTON TTOUCH® METHOD


3 Sessions, Wednesday 6:30 - 7:30pm
Dates: Oct. 3rd, 10th and 17th 2012
Instructor: Almudena Ortiz Cue M.A. CTC, CPDT-KA, Tellington TTouch Practitioner
Fee: $85 + tax (multiple family members are welcome to attend)
Space limited to four dogs and their handlers
NOTE: Dogs attend all classes.

Tellington TTouch® is a method of working with animals that has proven effective in reducing stress, fear, aggression and anxiety; as well as modify behavior, increase flexibility and—when combined with veterinarian care—aid in recovery. The approach is gentle yet systematic and helps animals to better cope with different and novel situations. It improves confidence, focus and learning.
With the use of gentle touches, body wraps and groundwork (a variety of exercises with equipment) we engage and calm the animal's nervous system as well as teach the animal to move in non-habitual ways. Since an animal that is stressed or anxious cannot learn, the incorporation of TTouch® becomes an initial first step to any learning. Your dog will learn how to focus and better cope with situations in which he/she reacts with fear, concern or anxiety.

This workshop is ideal for guardians/owners who want to learn the basics of the TTouch® method by working with their own dog on a particular issue. During the workshop we will be working with TTouches, wraps and groundwork.
 
 

Pre-requisites:
• Dogs must be crate trained OR be able to remain comfortably behind an “x pen” for periods of time during the workshop.
• Dogs must be comfortable (no lunging, barking) while working in the proximity of other dogs on a leash and people.
• Each dog must have a handler, but multiple family members are welcome to attend.

What to bring everyday to the Workshop:

A six-foot long leash (no flexi leashes please), flat collar, harness or head collar. No prong collars or pinch collars. If your dog has a flat collar but you normally walk him with a harness or head collar please bring both to the workshop.
A bed or mat for your dog.

One 4” ACE bandage (NOT the self-adhesive).
A frozen (with food inside) KONG of the appropriate size for your dog or something else your dog likes to chew on such as a bully stick, antler, etc.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Available for Adoption at Santa Fe Animal Shelter


Duke has been staying in our home for a week now. I decided to give this poor boy a break when I received a message in  my inbox from the Santa Fe shelter profiling some of their animals that needed a foster home.

I went to the shelter to meet him and he readily warmed up to me and the delicious treats that I had at hand. We followed my brief assessment with Duke meeting Laika and Duece (my dogs). The deal was closed! All puppies where happy and respectful of each other.

For the first few days at home, Duke would not eat if left alone and was clearly still decompressing. Below you will find some cute pictures of him as he is learning to relax.

I crate trained him in one evening. He also learned how to use a doggy door and relived himself outside. Yesterday we went sheepherding - an activity that I do with both my dogs. I had a suspicion that Mr. Duke would probably enjoy that too and oh my did he! Thanks to Mary, my herding instructor we discovered that Duke has a strong herding gene. Even though herding breeds are bread to herd different livestock not all herding dogs have strong skills that can translate into a working dog or a trial herding dog. On top of his herding skills, he is super gentle, affectionate and has a big zest for life.

Please read more about Duke below:

DUKE - ID#A050362

“Staff named me Duke and I am a neutered male, black and white Australian Shepherd. The shelter staff think I am about 4 years old. I am now available for adoption. I was lost but my owner has not found me."
 
Shelter Staff made the following comments about this animal:

Hello! My name is Duke and I'm a handsome gentleman looking for a new forever home. I am about 50 pounds and all finished growing up. I am quite the character and am looking for an active, patient family to go home with. I am smart and my ideal forever family will do lots of fun stuff to challenge me, like training to keep my mind sharp. If you have dogs at home bring them by for a meet and greet!

For more information about this animal, call:

Santa Fe Animal Shelter and Humane Society at (505) 983-4309

Ask for information about animal ID number A050362


 

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Praise for the Woof Gym


"Thanks for giving Ben such a wonderful experience yesterday!  He didn't seem to be overly tired after, he slept in the car on the way home and when we stopped at the store.  But when we got home and he went in the backyard with Daisy, he litterally pranced around the yard like he was the king of the dog world!  It was as if he had a sense that he had done something really marvelous!  

I had a fantasy that it would be really cool if dog parks had setups like that that people could walk their dogs through, of course the downside would be they might not know what they were doing without a trainer to guide them.  You are a fabulous trainer!  I will recommend the gym to my friends that have dogs.  I would also like to bring Daisy sometime".
Danielle Marceau, Santa Fe, NM