Training with Tellington TTouch
What is the Ttouch training method?
Ttouch is a training method which uses non-habitual touch and movement exercises to help animals improve awareness and focus allowing optimal learning. Using a range of touches and controlled movements the dogs learn to improve their awareness of their body, to be able to move more easily, with focus and without tension. This allows the dog to more easily maintain focus on channelling their energy in the required activity.
What does this mean for me?
There are a number of areas that Ttouch can help the dog to perform to the best of it’s ability.
Ttouch is a training method which uses non-habitual touch and movement exercises to help animals improve awareness and focus allowing optimal learning. Using a range of touches and controlled movements the dogs learn to improve their awareness of their body, to be able to move more easily, with focus and without tension. This allows the dog to more easily maintain focus on channelling their energy in the required activity.
What does this mean for me?
There are a number of areas that Ttouch can help the dog to perform to the best of it’s ability.
- Focus and control – if the dog is easily distracted or lacks focus this can result in wasted effort and missing cue’s from the handler during competition. Releasing physical and mental tension allows for a smoother, more confidence performance in the ring.
a. Obedience - we require the dog to maintain focus on the handler and ignore distractions for the duration of the round.
b. Agility – if the dog is not concentrating on the signals from the handler it may miss direction cues and waste time and effort in taking a longer route than required or waste energy ‘being excited’ rather than channelling this excitement into speed over the course.
c. Tracking – the dog is required to track accurately over long distances and without being distracted by spectators, the judge or other environmental distractions.
d. Conformation showing – a calm, self confident dog will catch the judges eye in a good way. Moving round the ring in a smooth, calm but confident and enthusiastic manner is ideal. Any nervousness or overt distraction by other dogs and handlers inside or outside of the ring will detract from their performance.
How can Ttouch help?
By ensuring that the dog is confident and comfortable and able to move in the most efficient manner possible the dog’s reactivity to distractions is reduced. Increased focus on cues from the handler and the task at hand improves the accuracy of control and the responsiveness to the handler. - Physical performance – tension in the body will have the effect of reducing the range of movement of the dog. Chronic tension can also cause a shortening of the muscles, thus not allowing the dog to use it’s full range of movement.
a. Agility – the physical requirements of an agility dog are significant, not only the jumping and accurate traversing of the equipment at speed (requiring a good level of proprioception) but the tighter the dog is able to turn and take the shortest line over the course will decrease the time and improve results.
b. Obedience – the obedience dog has a different set of physical requirements than the agility dog as the focus is on consistency and accuracy in all exercises. They require the ability to hold a consistent heelwork position for an extended period of time which needs a good level of proprioception (body awareness). Tension will restrict the range of movement and comfort during these precise movements.
c. Tracking – while the physical demands of tracking are not the same as for other sports any minor niggles or tension will distract the dog from focus on the track. If not resolved then these minor tension patterns may become an issue which detracts significantly from the dog’s focus.
d. Conformation showing – the show ring requires the dog to move in the most correct manner for it’s breed. Tension in the body will tend to cause the gait to be less fluid and not show the true power and grace of the dog.
How can Ttouch help?
By the use of non-habitual touches and movements to improve the dogs proprioception we can help the dog to move in the most efficient and effective manner. Over time this efficiency of movement becomes habitual and this allows the dog to physically perform in the optimum manner, thus being more able to respond to the demands of the sport. - Injuries – no-one wants their dogs to sustain injury either during or outside of competition. Tense muscles and stress can increase the rate of injury as the dog is not able to perform to its best. In addition, tension can cause the dog to move incorrectly to compensate for mild discomfort or restriction; this can cause secondary areas of tension and soreness to form. This strain can also increase the chances of injury. This is applicable to all active and sporting dogs.
How can Ttouch help?
By increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of their movement Ttouch encourages the dog to move correctly and minimising the effects of physical strain. Ttouch work also helps to release tension in the muscles which reduces the development of areas of chronic tension and strain which are more prone to injury.
