Certified Practitioner!

The Tellington TTouch practitioner training consists of 6 one week training sessions and takes about 18 months to 2 years to complete.   I am so joyous to have just completed my 6th training session and I'm now officially a P1 Companion Animal Practitioner!! 

What a week it was.  I purposefully selected Linda Tellington-Jones class in Rockville, Maryland, not just because it was "her" and it was close, but also because I graduated on my husbands' birthday ~ the guy who's been most supportive of me throughout my training.  My best friend.  Love you, Steve... and thank you, from the core of my soul.

Part of the graduation process is giving a presentation to the class.  Since 2/3's of the participants were attending their first training session, I covered a topic that I found confusing at my first training, the 'Balance Lead' configurations, how to fit a harness, and the leash configurations for the Double Diamond and the Suitcase.... leash work that is brilliant and effective with dogs who jump, twist, lunge or pull on the leash.   The class was thrilled.   The assistants, TTouch practitioners, were glowing as was Linda with how I'd presented this valuable subject.   ... Thank you my Spirit Dog, "Smoky" for being a very patient demo dog ("Smoky" is one of my stuffies, the Basset Hound).

So, what do I get to do now?  In addition to private client sessions, I can give short presentations and/or demonstrations as well as teach 1-day workshops. 

Coming dates of note in all things TTouch around East Tennessee:

August 7, 2012  ~ "Introduction to TTouch"   presentation.  Smoky Mountain Bulldog Club, monthly meeting located in W. Knoxville.  7pm

October 9 - 14, 2012  ~  TTouch Training, Chapel Hill, NC.  Introduction & ongoing companion animal training taught by Debby Potts. 

This is a beautiful Golden-Doodle who was one of the many dogs at my most recent training.  Layla is a large breed who grew fast, as they will do.  It's very common for dogs such as Layla to be clumsy or unbalanced from this rapid growth.  They simply don't know where they are in space.    Layla had a difficult time with this balance board and after a while with help and guidance that is the essence of TTouch, Layla is walking with all four feet comfortably on the balance board for the first time.    Layla's helpers are in the "Homing Pigeon" to offer Layla added support as well as the Half Wrap that Layla is wearing to bring awareness to her body.


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You might ask

Many people come to me for one session or two with the feeling that they'll be able to take away enough TTouch knowledge to teach to others in their own dog-related environment as they found the work so useful for their own dog.

I can promise that a client will go away with some new knowledge on how to connect with that animal, how to read him/her better and how to be more effective in dealing with that animal.  They may incorporate some of what they learned into their practice, but it is in no way shape or form anywhere close to the 2 years it takes to become a certified Tellington TTouch practitioner.  

However, it's great advertising!   Rock on and keep doing your circles.

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"Hey, didn't you move your practice to Lenoir City?"

Yes.  I did.  While I was in DC for my final week of training the governor of the property decided we should leave, asap.   What happens now?  Well, I have a very nice shaded gravel driveway and shaded yard with a wonderful view that are perfect for doing TTouch.  It's totally weather dependent of course, but if you enjoy a quiet outdoor surrounding and a nice view of the lake, it's a nice place to learn TTouch.   ...Bug repellant is a must for mosquitoes but there are few ticks.  That is a perk! 

My TTouch tools are coming home to roost and a new office is forming to run our various entities and businesses.  Considering how much I love being around my garden, this move is good.   I feel the grounds here are more reasonable and pleasing than where I was.... just a bit harder to find, is all.

I'll have to find a "place" for workshops, though.  If you or your organization/business would like to host one let me know! 

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"How's the Lyme Disease?"

Well, I'm pretty sure we're past that now.  Having been "down" for six weeks knocks the stuffing out of ya, but I'm coming back gracefully in that respect.  My diet and GI took a real beating with the illness and meds, which persisted long after the meds were history.   I'm enjoying regular doses of yogurt and probiotics in addition to having made peace with and enjoying my new (very healthy and somewhat reduced!) diet.    ... My skin is still quite thin and burns easily.  I don't know if this will bounce back or not.  My skin gets less elastic with each passing year.  I don't mind the change and welcome shade.

The Lyme Disease Trip ~ Part 2

My test results came back negative but this is no surprise to me and I'll tell you why.  

Lyme Disease is a tiny bacterium that invades the body fully and causes havoc as well as great pain for the human.  The bacterium are too small to be detected in a typical blood test ~ but the body's natural antibodies against the bacterium CAN be detected in a routine blood test.  SO, if the person has had Lyme Disease for a long period of time there will be plenty of antibodies running around.  IF the person caught the disease recently (as I did), there are not enough antibodies present in the blood to be detected, so a 'negative' blood test can result and be rather deceiving.    .... Since my test was negative, that says that I have not been living with this disease for a long period of time (Yay!) and that the treatment should be effective (Yay!  Again). 

What is the typical treatment for Lyme Disease?  Massive doses of antibiotic for a long period of time.   Up until this time, the most potent antibiotic I've had was about 20mg doses over a 5 day period for a sinus infection.  That seemed pretty potent.   The antibiotics for Lyme is 100mg doses over a 20 day period.   Twenty days.   Nothing foreign within my body will survive this onslaught.   Dairy must be avoided within a 4 hour window around each and every dose, twice a day.  That's half my day 'dairy free'.   Why?  Dairy binds with the antibiotic and reduces its effectiveness.    Sun exposure is to be avoided as well as this antibiotic thins the skin and increases sensitivity.... so, either stay inside or lather on the sunscreen, don a hat and covering clothing.   So I stay inside and drink a lot of water.   LOL

The first 3 days of treatment were the worst and even then it wasn't too bad.  The disease itself is far worse, symptomatically.   With the antibiotic I just feel tired and as the days progress my stomach gets more edgy and unhappy ~ no doubt the declining number of bacteria in my gut.   Yogurt cups are carefully timed and consumed each and every day!  .... Sure, it's a pain with all the discomfort and inconvenience, but I will say that the disease is SO much worse that 20 days of chemical crap is a small price to pay.

I hope this little jaunt into what Lyme Disease is and how it feels will be helpful to someone.  I hope MORE that you'll join me in taking every precaution in avoiding getting bitten in the first place ~ and knowing the signs if you do.

Speaking of pooches ~  Dogs get Lyme Disease too!  
According to all I've read, dogs do not show the tell-tale rash like we do (plus they have all that body hair to hide it, even if they DID!).   So, what's an owner to do?  Watch for the signs:  8 to 12 days after infection the biggest sign is extreme tiredness and maybe reduced appetite.   Lyme Disease can be fatal to dogs.   The best advice is to faithfully use monthly preventative. 

The Lyme Disease Trip ~ part 1

I'm lying in bed, the only place that's truly comfortable right now, all snugged between well softened sheets coated in handmade quilts, a soft breeze and welcome 'white noise' of a fan gently blowing from the other side of the room.
I'm bored!  I've been here way too long.  I'd rather be doing ANYTHING else.
I'm sipping soup and wishing the phone would ring.  I've been asleep all morning since taking my antibiotic.  That helps the time to pass and removes me from my discomfort for a while.  I'm waiting to hear from the doctors office.  I'm waiting to be told what I already know.  I have Lyme Disease.

I know so little about it, but I (thankfully!) took note of the symptoms, apparently.  At least I knew to worry.  Here's my journey:


I got home from Chapel Hill, North Carolina and my 5th TTouch training on Thursday March 29th.  Sometime that weekend (April 1st) I found a tick on my groin.  I was pretty freaked about that.   Less than a week later I removed a tick from my right shoulder/upper back, that was April 7th.  I remember the date of this bite because I was frustrated that I had gotten bitten by 2 ticks within a week and no doubt it was my dogs who transported the little vampires into my vicinity.  I shared my frustration on FaceBook, "I really appreciate that modern flea and tick repellants work so great for our pets. I'd really like my own tick repellant, PLEASE!!... I feel so left out... I feel so vulnerable. I'm developing an unnatural reaction to every little itch!"

Both bites itched for about a week, a normal reaction to being bitten by a tick.  The first bite on my groin was back to normal after a week with no color or skin disturbance where the bite had been.  Whew.  But, I continued to monitor it ~ all the while the bite on my shoulder still distracted me with its itch, but I had been bitten there later, so it didn't really register.

(April 14th, seven days later)  The bite on my shoulder still itches and is still red and a bit raised, the area is about an inch in diameter.  I can feel bumps in the skin around it, like small welts that haven't broken the surface of the skin.  They itch too and I assume its contact dermatitis.   I mysteriously get poison ivy in this area several times a year thanks to a snugly Dachshund, or scratching an itch while gardening.  Since I have an itch in the area I'm pretty sure I've added poison ivy to the mix.  So, I'll make it a point to not scratch directly, maybe gently rub through a t-shirt when the area is bothering me... which is frequent.

(April 16th, nine days later).   The bite is about the same, though since I can't see it easily, I don't think about it much.  It still itches.  The dermatitis isn't going away, but I don't expect it too, yet.  My knees are terribly sore and aching today and I take several 'breaks' going up or down the steps on the front walk.  It must be the rain coming in, my arthritis is going nuts.  I decide that I must cut back on sugar & sweets because me knees feel so swollen.  I attribute all my aches and pains to the change in weather pressure, arthritis and diet.   I'm unusually tired all day and simply help myself to more caffeinated beverages.  Than call it an early night for a change.  No thoughts of 'a problem' have entered my subconscious. 

(April 18th, eleven days later).   Today I feel like I'm walking through thick molasses with lead ankle weights.  Absolutely exhausted and listless the and more achy than usual.   After resting most of the morning, I gather myself up and decide it's high time to give the dogs a bath, they certainly need it, anyway.  Nestle has gotten into something.  It's bath time!   
I can not believe how physically demanding and difficult it is to bathe the dogs!  I can barely move!  It is surreal, like an out-of-body experience.  My limbs are like lead and I can not move without a great deal of effort.   It takes me 90 minutes to do the 30 minute job of washing both little dogs, trimming their nails and blow drying them.  I've done it a thousand times.  I'm astonished at how slow and difficult it was!   My subconscious puts on her reading glasses while seated behind her executive desk and begins reciting the symptoms of Lyme Disease to me, "extreme exhaustion, feels like you can't hardly move, body aches and pains...".   I look at the bite on my groin, it's history by all appearances.  The area looks fine, the one on my shoulder just has poison ivy... I rationalize my thoughts without thinking to take a look at it in the mirror.  The thought had begun to trickle in and my subconscious keeps up her symptomatic lecturing as I busy myself.
After cleaning up from the enormously long dog bathing routine, I decide to take a shower.  My husband arrives home and comes in the bathroom to greet me.  He parts the shower curtain to say hello when he sees my shoulder.  "Oh my, Kat.  You should have a took at that tick bite...."   Oh, my God.  The color drains from my face.  Lyme Disease.  I don't mention my symptoms to him.  I must see the bite.  I quickly finish my shower.
I turn my back to the mirror once I'm out of the shower and dried off.  Wow!  An area the size of a silver dollar around the bite is yellowish orange and puffy.  Around that is a huge red ring of welts, all told about 4-6 inches in diameter ~ and it itches terribly.  Oh my God.  That's NOT poison ivy.   I get dressed and head to the living room.  It's 6:30.   The doctor's office won't be open.
My daughter, Sarah, is on her computer.   "Sarah, please go to Google Images and look up "Lyme Disease" and compare what you get to this", I turn away from her and pull up my shirt to show her my bite.  I catch the hitch in her breath when she sees it.  I feel the same way, too.
"Yeah, that's it.  Mom."   Is all she can say in breathy utter astonishment.  I really wished in that moment that the doctors office was open, or that this warranted a visit to the ER.  I really don't want to do research on the Internet and learn my fate in this moment so I head off to the kitchen and prepare dinner.   I take a moment to post on Facebook.   Since no one is sure, it doesn't seem worth worrying about....yet.  But folks should know I'm harboring deep worry for my health.
I check on FaceBook after dinner and I'm astonished with the response!  I really don't want to believe this is serious.  I'm scared.  Symptoms are starting to increase and I'm beginning to understand what they mean by "flu like symptoms", the only thing absent is the vomiting and fever.   The level of tired is astonishing.  Maybe this is why my knees ache so much and the overall discomfort in my bones is increasing rapidly.  I'm very uncomfortable and tired.  Thankfully the sleep induced tired takes me away from the discomfort and I find the urge to take naps welcoming.

(April 19th ~ twelve days later)   I wake feeling fine, but I know that this will end by mid-morning if not sooner.  I can't wait to get to the doctor!  After dropping off the kids I head straight to Urgent Care and thankfully they're already open and not busy.  It won't be a long wait.  Already I'm physically uncomfortable with the aching.  My hips are still screaming at me from the drive.  My knees really want me to go lie down and they join the aching chorus.  My muscles feel like noodles.  I really want to get this over-with and go home.
Dr. R is his usual chipper self and greets me with a warm, "it's been a while".  I smile, I've been healthy and accident free for quite some time and so have the kids.  I tell him why I'm there and he has no doubt, he knows I do my homework and my symptoms are spot on.  ...Glad we're on the right track but I so wish it were a different train...   Dr. R. gives me the option of just going ahead and treating it or getting the test as well.  I opt for having the test done as well and he adds that they'll check for Rocky Mtn. Spotted Fever in addition to Lyme Disease.  Oh yeppie, I hadn't even considered that one.
I'm home by 10:30 and take my first antibiotic.  The roofers are much farther along than I had anticipated.  I get settled in and scoot out to the back porch to clean up dog poop before the roofers are working over there ~ ick.  It needs doing anyway.   While in the midst of that, I hear it coming and without a glance I ran like hell.  A large sheet of metal roofing is sliding down the roof barreling right towards me!  I turned to see if I was clear of it when it slams into the side of my face.  My head ducked and my arms deflecting it surely saved the day.  I run inside, shocked to see blood and spend the rest of the morning icing my face and doing TTouches to the surprisingly small (though deep) gash on my cheekbone. 
Despite all my intentions to have a somewhat productive day, I end up under the covers in bed, fast asleep till it's time to go pick up the kids from school.  Thank goodness my daughter can drive and she takes over driving us back home where I nap again till dinner time.
The gash on my face is much better than it has any right to be.  I cry fiercely about it.  I don't want anyone blamed or to get in trouble.  It was an accident and no one knew I was there.  I agree with my lawyer husband that the workers need to be more careful about tossing large metal knives through the air and I need to stay inside.   I should have needed stitches.  It should have been much worse.  It should be swollen and painful and bruised.  But, it's not.   It's very much a 'non issue' to me compared to this disease coursing through my body. 

Today ~ April 20th.   I'm still waiting for my test results, but I'm without doubt ~no matter the results~ that I'm dealing with Lyme Disease.  I'm holding on to the fact that it was caught early and hope deeply that the treatment will work and I'll be fit as a fiddle in a couple of weeks.   The ache in my bones is beyond anything I've experienced.  Worse than the flu, as far as I can remember.  As long as I don't 'do' much, I don't experience the leaden feeling I did bathing the dogs a couple days ago.  I'm beyond physically tired.  Absolutely exhausted.  I'm glad the antibiotics make me sleepy, naps help the day go by and give me a vacation from the ache.  The ache.  The awful, painful ache.
I stay inside today and just rest.  I know the roofers were spoken to about the errant sheet of roofing that hit me.  I know they're as horror stricken as I am about how that could have (and frankly should have) played out.  I just want to stay out of the way and I want to sleep.  I am sooo tired.  My flu-like symptoms are much more than they were even yesterday.  I really hope it's the drugs doing their job that's causing all this agony.  I really hope it stops soon.

Thursday April 19th.  The yellow center is gone and is much less 'bulls-eye' like than the day before.  Approximate size is 4" x 6"

This is my gash (pictured 18 hours after impact) from the sheet of metal roofing that came down on me.  I was hit hard enough that I should have a black eye and a swollen, heavily bruised cheek.  Thanks to a couple hours of TTouch, it looks pretty good and there's very little tenderness.  ~Beyond fortunate!!

Magic Moments & 5th Training Session

Last week was my 5th (and next to last) TTouch Training session in Chapel Hill, NC with one of my most adored instructors, Edie Jane Eaton.    What a wonderful week of learning and touching base with good friends and colleagues in the amazing world of TTouch!

My friend and wonderful teacher, Edie Jane Eaton

So, I have this issue with crate training.  It's always been an issue for me.  That whole, 'toss 'em in the crate' and then the dog cries, complains and basically becomes stressed out approach just leaves me raw and I won't do it.  It stresses me out.  I haven't successfully crate trained Nestle due to the anxiety associated with the whole process and it's bothered me a ton while at trainings as I can't leave my dogs for a moment without it being a major stress event for everyone.  Not fun.    Two little things changed this for me and we found success (at long last)!!

First, I had my well worn house slippers with me and they spent the week in the dogs crates ~ my aroma in their space (I also used them to 'hide' treats for the dogs to find).  Second, I had a huge bag of doggie treats and I was very patient.   The first day I would occasionally toss treats in each crate for the dogs to root around and retrieve.  In they went, got rewarded and out they came.  That was the first day.

The second day Nestle figured out that if he stayed in the crate he got more treats.  Jazz followed suit.   On the third day, I moved the dogs favorite blankets into their crates so if they wanted to be comfortable, inside the crate was the best choice.  Nestle caught on right away, and Jazz, though less enthusiastic about being in the crate would do so for treats.  Nestle was by this time settling down in his crate and I could gently close the door (without latching it) to get him used to the 'enclosed' sensation.  All was progressing well.

By the 4th day I was able to close both dogs in their crates and walk a short distance away with no reactivity from either one.  Yay!  And by the final day, both dogs were comfortable in their crates for short periods, whether I was in sight or not.  

Nestle napping in his crate on day 6

I'm elated that the side note to my 5th TTouch training is a huge milestone in crate training for Mr. Nestle!  All that was missing for me was the suggestion of tossing treats in the crate and from there the gradual progression to being in the crate was made much easier.

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Part of the TTouch training is working with real clients for students doing sessions 3 and higher.  So, on Wednesday I met my client, Darwyn, a young Border Collie who experiences severe fear issues with strangers.  Darwyn has a wonderful and knowledgeable guardian who's done wonders with the handsome young fellow as far as bonding and training for athletic events.  A truly gifted dog and dedicated owner.

When Darwyn arrived for his session he was nearly catatonic with reactivity and fear.  He was crouched low, his tail tucked beneath him, his head low and whipping around wildly, frantic with fear and his respiration was quite high.  He could not be still.   Our hour began with establishing trust and working through some of the ground equipment to keep Darwyn moving.  After which I coached the owner in doing some specific TTouches to help Darwyn gain body awareness and begin to relax.  We worked on ear ttouches, belly and python lifts, tail ttouches, leg circles and the zig-zag ttouch.   Darwyn calmed considerably!  His respiration came down, he engaged more into his surroundings, his tail relaxed and he was able to stand still and in balance.  We put a half wrap on Darwyn and he visibly relaxed more as we again negotiated the ground equipment.  The owner was clearly delighted with Darwyn's progress!   By session's end, we had fitted a Thundershirt to Darwyn as they're so much easier to manipulate than wraps in some cases and more socially acceptable than an Ace wrap.  lol     We finished up with a recap on the TTouches taught.

Darwyn

This is a picture of Darwyn shortly after our client session.  Here we are in a large room full of TTouch students and their dogs as well as other clients and their dogs, assistants and the instructor.  With all the stimulus around Darwyn, he is relaxed, content and falling asleep!  Sure, sleepiness is a way of dealing with stress, but it's a good choice over being a crazy maniac.    When it was the owners turn to share her session experience she finished by saying, "I don't know who this dog is.  It's not Darwyn.  But I'll take this new dog home anyway!"   .... The next day an email was received by the owner who happily reported that Darwyn had allowed a stranger to approach and pet him.  A first!!

The power and effect of TTouch therapy continually amazes and delights me.  It is an honor and a privilege for me to be able to bring this work to dogs and their owners and witness such wonderful and dramatic change as Darwyn experienced.  It is joyful work.   I LOVE having a joyful job!

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All things being well, my next and final TTouch training (and graduation!) will be the first week of June in DC under the wonderful teachings of the founder, Linda Tellington-Jones.   I will graduate on my husband's birthday!   ... Between now and then I still need a few more case studies to complete my training and actually graduate.    If you've been considering giving TTouch a try, I hope Darwyn's story helps open possibilities for you.  

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The first Tuesday in August I will be giving a TTouch presentation at the Smoky Mountain Bulldog Club at their monthly meeting in West Knoxville.
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If you'd like to be part of that, please contact the club.  It's sure to be a fun evening!

Acupressure enchancement

The spring equinox is nearly here and I couldn't be more pleased!  Already I am physically sore from my doings in the garden during the recently lovely afternoons.   Forsythia, daffodil, hyacinth and cherry and Bradford Pear trees are in full bloom while Red Bud and Dogwood swell with impending brilliance and lawns are returning to their vibrant green hue.  I LOVE SPRING!

Brenna 1990-2001 & Mac 1994-2008

I've received my text books for companion animal acupressure and I'm deeply intrigued and fascinated as I delve into my reading.  I won't be enrolling till summer but couldn't resist beginning with what is readily available.  The dogs have been sweet and willing participants as I trace meridian lines and gently get acquainted with acupoints ~ I dare say they LOVE the experience!    It delights me no end that as I become familiar with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the flow of Chi through the body, my way of doing & seeing TTouch has changed dramatically in accordance with TCM and how wonderful it is to see our companion animals with ever increasing vision and depth.  I think the dogs like it, too. 

TTouch session 5, which will be my next-to-last training for full certification, begins a week from Saturday ~ March 24th!  I'm very much looking forward to the experience and the people, many of whom I consider good friends.  Jazz & Nestle will accompany me, as usual.  

  

Thundershirt Weekend

Last week was a lively one in the way of weather all across the US.   My family and I were entertaining a visitor from the UK whom we pointed out that watching local weather during prime time television is not a regular event and we were doing that twice last week.   Tornadoes were confirmed on the other end of the county and a couple of neighboring counties.  A neighbor lost a stately old tree which was kind enough to miss all nearby structures.   Flash flooding was present though not devastating.  

And it was a Thundershirt kind of event as well.   How did your canine companions do?

Friday night was quite intense for us and the little dogs welcomed wearing their Thundershirts through the worst of the storm.   Before having their Thundershirt, both dogs would shake, hide, pant and experience a moderate level of fear and anxiety.   Nearly a year (and a few storms) later, they hardly react to most storms  and only rarely experience concern that warrants wearing their Thundershirts. 

Twenty years ago I had a Border Collie who nearly died from storm fright and experienced a high level of anxiety at even the tamest of storms.  He required moderate medication his entire life until deafness offered the ultimate relief.   Imagine how much he would have been helped with TTouch and a Thundershirt!

Positive Intentions

After a long week I spent the afternoon in town gathering groceries and with some extra time on my hands I paid a visit to a dear friend who also happens to run the local feed store that I love.  My friend shared with me that a customer sang my praises and how I'd fixed her daughters' dog.  What a lovely thing to hear!  I remember the dog well, a sweet Lab mix that was worried, high strung and pulled on the lead like a budding Iditarod champion.  He and his loving, petite owner had 3 wonderful sessions last summer, and what pleases me the most is that this lovely dog is continuing to do well 8 months later.  This, I love about TTouch. 

Kat's "little dogs",  Nestle & Jazz

The TTouch dogs I get to deal with the most are my own.  They have their amazing moments.  Jazz was slated to have a complete hip replacement at 1 year old.  There were many things that brought me to TTouch, and this reality was one of them for sure.   Here we are, coming upon 4 years down the road and she still has the hip God gave her, excellent range of motion and easily bursts about the yard with unbridled speed, turns, leaps, jumps and general rocket-boosted energy.    Her only claim to this success is a grain free diet, careful weight management and TTouch.  

I'm tickled to share with you that I'm going to be adding acupressure and massage therapy to my areas of study in companion animal alternative healing.  Whoopie!!  

Household Harmony

I currently have three dogs, it feels like five if you take into account how huge Elvis is.   Many of us manage multi-dog homes and sometimes the furry siblings just don't get along perfectly as we would like.  It's really quite reasonable for beings to not get along 100% of the time, but they can learn to be tolerable most of the time, and civil all the time.

Elvis kindly tolerates a young Nestle

 
When dogs misbehave it is difficult to curb our own reactivity.  We get embarrassed, angry, frustrated.  Our blood pressure goes up, heart rate increases, muscles, diaphragm and vocal cords tense.   Basically, we get pretty wired up one way or another.  In essence, this reactivity actually compounds the problem rather than alleviating it.   A dogs way of being in a stable and nurturing environment is pretty harmonious and peaceful, so when a dog reacts to something and then we react, our reactivity affirms (to the dog) that their reaction is well founded because we got upset *WITH THEM*.   For example,  a family member comes home from work and the dogs rush the door, bark like crazy and generally go nuts.   The person already at home reacts and gets wired up over all this crazy commotion.  The incoming person shouts at the dogs to settle down and is wired up as well.  Over time, when this event is anticipated, the humans become tense and prepare for upheaval .... and so does the dog.    It's a mess of a situation that's probably even worse when guests come calling..... and we taught them this.  "People come inside and it's time to get wired up",  is precisely how the dog sees it.   Fido is doing his job.  In TTouch we say, "change you and you change the dog".

As the higher being, we shouldn't have to deal with this, right?  It should be easier.  And, it can be!   We just need to approach the issue with a different mind set and intention.  The huge factor is the energy we bring to the situation.  When we come from a place of calm authority, the dog will reflect this.   When we are as reactive as our dog, well... that's fuel for the fire, not a quenching drench.   How do we find our inner calm?  Here's an extreme example:

At the TN/NC state line on Hwy. 129, "The Dragon" in 2006

 When I was cycling hundreds of miles a week, I encountered a LOT of dogs and 95% of them fell into 'prey drive' behavior and would come after me as I came roaring by at speeds upwards of 17 to 30 miles an hour.  You know.... you really don't want to crash at those speeds!  So, staying safe with a dog barreling down on you is an issue that needs immediate resolution for the safety of all involved.   No second chances, whatever is going to happen must work.    Even though I'm a healing/harmless being, I don't project this soft energy at a dog who's running my ass down because you know what?  It's not going to work!   Calm, positive energy works when meeting a dog on foot, but not at speed (that prey drive thing).  .... Although I'd never dream of actually harming another being, it is strong, determined, deadly energy that I project in this situation.  As a higher being I could (in theory only) rip the animal apart and *this* is the energy and intention I send to the dog.  Instead of being "the hunted", I became "the hunter", a calm, lethal being that IS coming at the dog with the intention of ripping it limb from limb.   This kind of calm, dangerous energy that comes from the core of the gut without fear, and without reservation is the kind of energy that works wonders to diffuse a reactive situation.  A dog can pick up this energy from 15 yards away.  You *ARE* the higher being.   When dogs are having a fuss, this sort of predatory, calm methodical way of dealing with it can be very effective and certainly give you an upper hand.  .... Basically a sniper isn't thinking about fluffy cupcakes when they take aim.  It takes mental intention to create the desired outcome.   Mental intention is the key.  One who worries about falling, will.  One who concentrates on success, succeeds.

As I mentioned, my mental intention when cycling is an extreme example of how to project energy to affect the dog.  Most of us don't encounter this fast-paced "do or die" situation with dogs and bicycles and high speed decision making.   Hopefully you get my point on how much the mind and intention can influence a dogs behavior. 

In addition to how you think and what you project in a situation you can also affect the behavior on a cellular level with TTouch.   TTouch is a great promoter of mental and emotional balance in animals and a house with several dogs will find an increase in harmony if all dogs receive TTouch, rather than the bitchy dog alone.   An example is my house of three dogs.  When the Uberhound was diagnosed with diabetes his body chemistry changed and the other two became quite bitchy which would easily escalate into fuss-fights (not really full blown fights).   As mentioned earlier, being reactive doesn't really work.  If a dog reacts and then we react, the dog takes our reactivity as a sort of agreement rather than a correction.  You've "joined forces" rather than telling him to "cut it out!".   Hence the key to diffusing the situation is to remain calm.  Breath.  Find that core of "higher being" calm in your gut.

Being "the calm" in a doggie storm does wonders.  What once was a house of three dogs storming my husband upon his coming home, has turned into three calm, happy dogs who greet him without the barking and uncontrolled behavior.   TTouch is the foundation, intention helps it to happen.

Why did my two dogs become reactive towards an otherwise friendly, harmless dog?   Because of a chemistry change.  Every dog receives daily TTouch sessions and calm intention assistance when reactivity occurs.  Finding my inner calm and combining that with TTouch has resulted in a definite increase in harmony amongst my canine family.   Jazz was the most negative towards Elvis (the diabetic uberhound) by showing her teeth, snapping, growling and lunging at him.   This simply wasn't appreciative nor necessary behavior!   Jazz receives regular TTouch mouthwork, ear work and general body work,  and Elvis receives equally targeted TTouch for relieving his own tension patterns in his feet, croup, tail and hindquarters.  Both receive TTouch and verbal reward when bidding for my attention with no more negative behavior between the two.   Both dogs need validation of their worth and love from the human they're seeking attention from.  The results have been great.  The two are not close by any means, but they are civil and that's all I ask. 

Nestle Kindly tolerates an inquisitive Elvis

With my own canine family, I rarely need to discipline or give warning, but when I do, I reach into my inner ape to deliver a warning sound.  ....You know, as humans we do not growl.  Dogs growl.  Cats growl.  Humans and apes grunt, not growl.  So why do we try to imitate something we don't naturally do.... and why do we expect it to work?   It may be speaking the dogs language, but it's not *our* language.  A growl comes from the chest and no matter how well we try, it's an unnatural noise to our species.  A grunt comes from the diaphragm, is much deeper, lower and is a very natural sound to the human species.  It is, in essence, more convincing because it's real!  So, my dogs get a grunt for major infractions.  Because they know that's "it", they comply right away and are rewarded for it.   Pretty easy, everybody is happy and remains so.   But, what if the grunt is ignored?   Well, then, I calmly walk over and push the dog and grunt again.  Many times the dog rolls in his/her back and begs for forgiveness.  I stare deep into their face and grunt again then release and walk away.   As I walk away, I reclaim the joy in my being because somebody is going to be right behind me to make peace and it's then that we rejoice and deliver calm praise.  It's important to the dog for there to be no hard feelings, so it's important for the human to recover quickly. 

For lesser infractions I use a sort of snake/hiss noise.  Just enough to distract and divert attention to something more favorable and rewarding.  Corrections are momentary, dogs don't dwell on the issue and neither should we.  Dwelling (on the part of the dog) is a sign of lacking confidence and having more issues under the hood....so to speak.   If the hiss is ignored, the grunt comes and then there's potential for mild physical contact as mentioned above.  Not once do I let my heart rate rise, or tension to occur....this tells the dog that there *IS* something to be upset about because *WE* are obviously upset, our bodies convey it.  Remember, body language is the core communication between human and dog, don't muddy the waters by being reactive.

Just because they are dogs and we are not, doesn't dictate that *we* need to behave like them to be understood.  We as humans simply need to get in touch with our own basic wiring as it is here that communication succeeds as all other mammals have this same core of basic wiring and understanding happens at this level.    Be creative.  Be positive.  Find your happy and calm place.  You deserve to live there and your animals enjoy this part of you the best.    Modern life can be stressful but we don't need to dump it on our dogs.  They are our release, our sanity and our connection to the real word.

Jazz

We had a little walk

Nestle was blessed as the "special needs" child during his brief time as a foster child.  It was a stressful time for him, being neutered, relocating two times, life was rough right then.  He was clingy.  He's always been just a little bit reactive.  Little wonder.   So, he's my special needs kid.

To be a dog who goes everywhere with me, that's not saying a whole lot.  I go to work.  Everywhere else is a 'car ride' for Nestle and he gets to guard the car.  So, going for a walk the other day was sort of a big deal.  Because there are more loose animals in my neighborhood then there are fences, I prepared Nestle for his challenges.   I decided to take advantage of his size and stated that, "if it got to be too much for him I can just pick him up."  ... Oh, I felt like a cheater going this route, but it turned out well.

Nestle sported his step-in harness, buckle collar and double-end lead clipped to the harness's side rings for a 'little-guy' balance lead.  I get two points of contact and no tangling lead on little legs.  I tucked a wrap in my pocket and Jazzie's new "calming cap" which is in prototype and doesn't fit her so well, so  Nestle's noggin' will be more agreeable if I get to try it.  .... More later on the calming cap.

So, off we went, Nestle my hubby and I.  When we got within range of loose dogs Nestle knew it and halted, so I took the opportunity to put the wrap on him.  Once he had some TTouches he remembered he could still walk and off he went with quickly increasing confidence.  Then came a dog.  Nestle actually ASKED to be picked up.  I complied and held tight to his harness.....then realized the reason I was doing so is that he historically goes absolutely ape-shit in this circumstance.  So, I breathed and gave Nestle some calming ear TTouches.   Nestle was so calm, and relaxed.  I was amazed and impressed!  Once we got beyond dog #2, who was following us,  Nestle was put down and he walked along nicely with no reactivity to the following dog at all.  Again, this is rather amazing!  Once dog #2 gave up and left, Nestle let me know that wrap time was over.  I removed it and we finished the walk without its use again.  He did get carried past dog #1 &2 on the way back, but wrap free.  Not once did Nestle go nutty with reactivity, barking, lunging, stress, craziness.  He kept it together and had a good time!  No calming cap necessary.

Crocus blooming in the yard today:  February 3rd

What about this calming cap?  If you've been a client I may have done a head wrap on your dog, or something similar.  If not, well, it's like a head wrap! ((wink))  Which is an ace bandage wrapped artfully about the head to bring about calming, engage thinking, aid with certain disorders and a variety of other interesting applications.  A "calming" cap achieves the same effect with an easier/quicker application than the wrap.  Jazz gets so upset in the car when it's raining (scary extra road/rain related noises) that a cap will allow me to include her head (she already wears a body wrap in the car when it's raining) next time without trying to get her head all wrapped up from the front seat of a car.  I'll let you know... and I'll take pictures!

I made the Calming cap that I have.  It seemed fairly quick and easy but I'm going to need some practice to develop a generalized pattern.  If you would like to give your dog a try with a calming cap, come by and we'll come up with some measurements and I'll give it a try.   

News on Thundershirts!  So, I first heard of these while at a training and got Nestle & Jazz a shirt not long after.   The first few storms that came through, the Thundershirts were like a welcome life vest in rough seas.  Both dogs were clearly grateful and comforted, though still visibly stressed.  A small but positive step.

A few storms later and the Thundershirts were like a welcome shelter in a rough storm.  Both dogs were clearly relaxed and stress was greatly reduced.  No shaking nor panting.  Huge change.

Now it's many months later and Nestle doesn't usually wear his Thundershirt during a storm.  He doesn't need it.  Jazz wears hers and is obviously more at ease with the added support.  This may reduce when her rainy car rides are no longer upsetting  (her Thundershirt lives in the car).

Both dogs wear their "jersey's" when they go to the vet. 

Other newsy news stuff 

I'm so pleased to say that I've seen some wonderful clients lately and watching them blossom and find happiness strengthens and lovingly reminds me of why I do this work.   Sometimes the work feels so subtle, but the reward is hard to miss.  

This weekend is the TVKC's agility trial in Harriman, TN.  I'm planning on making tracks to the event on Saturday (tomorrow!) to enjoy the dogs and make a friend or two.  

I'm contemplating companion animal acupressure as a complementary field to TTouch!  That leads to a lot of training and study as I'd want to do both canine and equine as I plan with TTouch.  Exciting thought!  The curriculum I find quite exciting and interesting, no needles are involved and it offers amazing relief, improved balance and performance.  Exciting.  I can see diving into this by midsummer.  To my utter amazement and some disbelief, there are no registered acupressure practitioners in Tennessee.  

TTouch trainings on tap for this year, all things being well ~ session 5 in late March with Edie Jane and session 6 (graduation/certification) in June with Linda Tellington-Jones.    I'm in need of a few more case studies, if you'd like your dog to be one, email me.

Magic Moments

Happy New year!  I hope you not only survived the holidays, but did so with joy.   It was a crazy time around here, but we sailed through with joy and gratitude.

We moved the music shop ~in its entirety~ just after Thanksgiving and got things in place to get through the gift giving season  {{gasp!}}.  Things are at long last getting put in their places and a bit of order is coming into place.   The new place ("the farm") is wonderful!   Once things are cleaned up and worked on a bit, there will be two great outdoor TTouch areas to play with and some nifty trails.   For now, in this wet and coldish winterish weather, the warm of the indoor space is a delight.

So, Nestle has always had this issue with barking and barking (and barking!) at customers/visitors/strangers of any kind and at long last I had found the magic ... while a fellow was visiting the farm, I slipped away to the dogs and put a ttouch wrap on both of them.  I then let the dogs out to meet this fellow;  Nestle came into the room and behaived calmly the entire time.  Jazz as well.   A few minutes later they were both relaxed enough that I removed their wraps and they remained 'just fine'.   I am so pleased!  It's not the first time they've been wrapped for customers, clients, visitors, etc., but it was the first time I had put a head wrap on Nestle, who just needed to be reminded to 'think' instead of react..... and he did just that.  That was a magic moment.

It's so nice to have all my toys out and readily available ~ my office for the music shop shares the TTouch room's space.  Ya, it may sound weird that I work out of a garage, but I really enjoy it.

If you've been thinking about giving TTouch a try, I hope you'll come pay a visit some time. 

Till then,
Heart Hugs

Lenoir City Training room is open!

This lovely open space has completed its prolonged exercise as the arrival point for when we moved our music shop just in time for the holiday season as retailers. It's now ready fulfill the purpose of being an inviting, quiet place for TTouch.   Welcome future TTouch pups!

I'll post more pictures of the new place soon! Welcome to Lenoir City!