Is it working for ya?

There's a reason there are so many different methods of "dog training" or - communicating to our companion animals. They like us, are different, or as individual as you and I are. You and I don't think exactly alike and our living environments will be different from one another, right? And so it is for our dogs, too.

Most "methods" of dog training or problem solving rely on a cookie cutter sort of approach. Last time I noticed, not all dogs are the same... so it would be reasonable to feel that the "one answer fits all" approach isn't really reasonable for all dogs, is it? Let's look at a few as an example to get your creative juices flowing:

Prong collars. Oh, my aren't these just the most torturous things you've ever seen? Don't get me wrong, I used to own no less than 3 of them in a variety of sizes. I used to preach blindly in my classes how they're safer than choke collars. Uh, yeah.... and jeans are safer than bare skin on motorcycles but you're still going to get really nasty road rash if you crash. I know this from experience. Road rash knows no barriers, except for the proper gear. Just ask, I'll show you.

Prong collars were created in the Schutzhund field of canine work for promoting aggression.

Read that again: Prong collars initial function was for encouraging aggression in the animal.

Let's look at the prong closer. For the dog who's wearing it, it's sort of like wearing underwear with irritating burrs trapped against the skin. Ouch?! It may not "hurt", but it's definitely going to drive you nuts and can any living thing think rationally when their being driven crazy? Now that whole "promoting aggression" thing makes sense.

Why do folks gravitate to using the prong, then? They know of no better solution to the issue they're dealing with. This is usually pulling.

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Corrective noises such as the "game show buzzer". Are you familiar? Tighten your diaphragm and chest and belt out a loud "eeennnggghh!" like the buzzer on a game show. Yes, I used to promote the use of this noise to stop unwanted behavior in its tracks. I used to use it on my own dogs. One; how does that feel to make that noise? Lots of tension needs to happen in the body to create it, doesn't it? It's not pleasant. And, most importantly.... Is it working?

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How about suffering through a destructive behavior because someone told you to "wait till they stop" so you're not "encouraging" the behavior? .... Is it working?

I look at it this way. Your dog has fear issues and is freaking out, clawing desperately at the door to be let in. Is it really healthy to allow the dog to continue to freak out till they stop? IS the dog going to stop? IS allowing them suffer really teaching them to stop the behavior? Put yourself in their paws: you're really afraid of spiders and there's a bunch on the back porch. The door is locked & you're desperately trying to be let in but the folks inside say, "you need to stop freaking out about this and then we'll let you in." .... How fair is that? How likely are you to calm down to be let in? My physical stress points tighten up at the thought of this scenario.
So, the dog freaks out and claws desperately at the door. What else is there to do? You don't want the dog to freak out and you really don't want the dog tearing up your door.

No matter what method you're using, no matter the behavior at issue.... ask yourself, "is it working?" If you're stressing out over it and your dog is continuing the undesired behavior, odds are you're answer is an honest and heartfelt, "no".

So, smile and know that there are other options for you and your companion animal. Our animals come to us for a reason.... to grow and enrich our lives. Sometimes we need a good challenge.


Why is TTouch so successful? TTouch doesn't try to pound a square peg into a round hole. TTouch recognizes that dogs are individuals with different needs; unique issues calling for unique answers. I can virtually guarantee that every single TTouch practitioner out there has the most impressive "tool kit" you'll ever see. The "right answer" is the application of an approach or method that works for that individual dog and their human.

Let's be honest. It takes time to change a behavior. Just as it takes time to learn how to drive, to learn a new language, to loose weight. There is no overnight answer in the healthiest of ways with long-lasting change. In this "have it now" society, we must remember that ourselves, our very cells can and do change, but not in the blink of an eye. Patience, grasshopper.

So, how can TTouch help with pulling if the prong is so wrong? There are many methods available to us for the degree of pulling going on. It just takes finding the one that works for the individual animal. Why does the dog pull? He's out of balance. And he doesn't know he has a choice. TTouch is educating the dog that 1) he has a choice, and 2) we can teach them that pulling is not necessary. Relief for both animal and owner is usually huge.

Alternatives to that annoying game show buzzer? Great question. The animal is most likely doing something unwanted because the buzzer noise is to interrupt or abruptly halt the behavior. But, what if it doesn't work out that way? Answering a behavior with stress signals is sort of like yelling, "Fire!" in a restaurant after someone drops a tray of dishes. .... It may not be real (the fire) but everyone will react strongly to the perceived threat. There are alternatives and it really depends on the dog as to what works. For that, "Hey!" attention getter, I just use a, "pppsssssttt!", like that whispery "hey" you get when cheating on a test or something. Then, I follow up with what I want the dog to do.

What about the dog freaking out wanting inside? Fear issues are not uncommon. In fact when you really sit down and think about it, all behavior issues stem from fear. Anger stems from fear. Aggression stems from fear. TTouch works at the cellular level to release fear issues and simple adjustments in the home can promote the further release of these fear-based behaviors. How about a doggie door bell? One paw on the bells and wala, the door opens. Whew, that is much less stressful, now isn't it? Eventually the dog will learn that one ring equals the door opening which in turn lowers the stress level in the home.

What I love about the TTouch is many things:

Incorporating TTouch into the home lowers stress levels in both the human and the animal.

TTouch works at the cellular level to promote healing, self-awareness, harmony and balance (both mental and physical).

TTouch teaches the animal to learn. It actually increases their ability to learn. How? The TTouches and the ground work activate all four areas of the brain simultaneously, releasing both beta and alpha waves.... left and right brain are activated together. Learning pathways are actually and physically made and learning ability increases. Pretty cool, isn't it?

TTouch also establishes trust. Prong collars don't. Think of all the people you truly, deeply trust with all your whole being. Those folks are really special, aren't they?
You can have that with your companion animal, too.

Heart Hugs

My girl, JazzieBell