JANUARY 2005 TELLINGTON TTOUCH NEWSLETTER
(Print and read at your leisure – copyright - Eugenie Chopin unless otherwise stated)
www.ttouch.co.za - for more info on any subject!

Contents:

1. Eugenie’s Letter

2. Practitioner Training for Companion Animals or HORSES

3. CLICKER Class Jan. –March 2005

4. CLICKER Training – How effective is Praise?

5. Horse Workshops Dates – Both one day and 5 day!

6. TTouch Workshop Dates & Info

7. TTouch Tips – The Abalone Circle – good for thunderstorms!

8. Health - Herbal Treatments Part 1

9. Shanti Update

10. Your letters

11. Odds & Ends

    1. Book of the Month – How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves  by Sophia Yin, D.V.M. 

    2. Website of the Month – www.nerdbook.com/sophia 

    3. Animals Needing Homes

    4. Events: Wildlife Course; Free Me Fund raiser

    5. Human Animal Interaction Group AGM & 21^st Birthday Party Feb. 16, 2005

1.  EUGENIE’S LETTER

Well, HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone although I think we are all well into the year. We actually started the new Clicker classes this week and wow, what a great bunch of people. We had great fun discussing theory and why clicker might be a better way to train. It’s always fun to have dog trainers in the class because their questions are astute and keep me thinking!

There is a great Animal article in Style this month (Feb.) on Animal Communication and Complimentary Therapies including a section on TTouch, so don’t miss it!

HAIG, Human-Animal Interaction Group is celebrating their 21^st Birthday on February 14^th this year with Dinner and Concert after the AGM here at the TTouch Premises. If you are a member or have been meaning to become one, this might be the time to do so! It’s bound to be a fun evening!

I know that we all get way too much mail these days, so there are two possibilities on our mailing list. One is to get the Newsletter Only, which means that you get between 9 and 10 Newsletters a year. The other is our general mailing list, which might include max 2 or 3 announcements a month, but honestly most months there is nothing! If you would prefer to be on “Newsletter Only”, just send a mail with that in the title. Or if you would like to unsubscribe, send a mail to info@ttouchsa.co.za with “Unsubscribe” in the Subject.

Below is a repeat of last month, but I still would like info on both subjects:

I am also looking for a good computer package that can do our bulk mailing for the Newsletter, but have no idea where to begin.  So please if you know of a product or can help in any way, I would appreciate it your emailing me at eugenie@ttouchsa.co.za

Venues are always needed for our Practitioner Training Program and to that end I’d love any info you might have on Stable yards or Kennels where we might hold either Horse Training or Practitioner Training for Companion Animals.  We’ll send out more details in the New Year, but would love feedback from you now if you have any.

Thanks for being part of the TTouch community,

Eugenie Chopin, Practitioner II for Companion Animals: echopin@icon.co.za; 011 884-3156

Pet dogs shed ... Show dogs blow coat.

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2. PRACTITIONER TRAINING – 2005

Well, Practitioner Training is over for 2004.  This year will start on April 23^rd with session 3 for the Companion Animal TTACT II group.  This unfortunately means that anyone interested in the work for Companion Animals must wait a couple of years for the next training.  I do wish that we could do one every year, but it’s not possible at the moment.

My advice would be to do a weekend workshop or a class so that you can get started on your own animals!  This will give you a good indication whether you want to do the new Training when it starts.  Also be sure to let Eugénie know at eugenie@ttouchsa.co.za if you’re interested so that we can send you all relevant info when the time comes

DATES:  Session 3: April 23 – 28^th
Session 4:  October 12 – 17

HORSES- The horse trainings are more flexible as they are not sequential so good news for the equine folks is that Robyn Hood will be back next year for a 5 day horse training starting April 30^th, 2005. And then in October Linda Tellington Jones will be teaching the Horse Workshop.

DATES:          April 30 – May 4^th

                         October 22 – 26^th

COST:             +/- R3600 plus VAT    (R200 discount for full payment 2 months in advance)

CONTACT:            Lindy Dekker at equibalance@iafrica.com or phone 011 705-1501

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Pet dogs stand ... Show dogs stack.

3. CLICKER CLASS FOR DOGS – starts Jan. - March, 2005

WE have actually ended up with 3 classes! I am so excited by the interest in people not only for clicker Training but in wanting to understand how and why dogs learn.  The theory classes are intense but fun and hopefully everyone will finish the 6 weeks understanding more about why their dogs do what they do.

NEXT CLASS sometime in the winter! You’re welcome to book now for it.

Booking: Eugenie at eugenie@ttouchsa.co.za

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4. CLICKER TRAINING – How Effective is Praise?

A big percentage of clicker training is based on Positive Reinforcement, which we discussed last month. This means that you give the animal something he wants or likes for good behaviour. So only the dog can decide whether what you are giving him is reinforcing! So although I like chocolate, if someone offers me dark chocolate, I’ll probably turn it down. It just doesn’t interest me. WE also think our dogs should love us enough to make praise a sufficient reward. And indeed for some dogs it is! However, would you work every day for praise? I doubt many of us would. Below is an extract from the “book of the month”. You might want to try the exercise!

“To see whether praise or petting works well as a reward while your dog is in training, praise him exuberantly.  See whether he wags his tail or ignores you.  If he wags his tail and looks at you the entire time you are praising or petting is an effective reward.  If he acts like you’re not there, then these potential motivators – at least under these conditions – aren’t a worthwhile currency.”

So sometimes when you’re home without major distractions, praise can be enough. But perhaps when you’re out at training, in the park or even at the Vet, your dog might need something more. REWARDS are anything the dog wants or likes. FOOD, WATER, PLAY, TOYS, SEX, PREDATION, ATTENTION, PRAISE. What might work in any given situation is dependant solely on the dog, how you’ve trained him and what distraction might be happening. For instance, I might be at training with Shanti and although I have a hot dog in my hand, the 3 pigeons walking towards us are just too big a reward to pass up! (Predation, by the way) So guess what? I can lose her if staying with me isn’t very rewarding! In the first Practical class of our current clicker class, about 50% of the people found at some time, the distractions of new location, dogs and people overpowered the dog’s desire of the treats they had brought. Most of these same dogs however got very interested when I pulled out home made LIVER BREAD! If you’re interested in the recipe, I’ll have it posted on the website by Feb. 4^th. www.ttouch.co.za Look at Newsflash on the home page.

When we want to make praise more salient for an animal, we do it the same way we would introduce a new cue. We praise first, then Click/Treat. Because the praise starts to be associated with the Click/Treat, it becomes more powerful. Then when you just praise, the dog still has the Association of it being connected with a treat (good thing). Remember however, if you never treat after praise again (and you have a dog for whom praise is not enough), then the association will die. Once established, random reinforcement it the best way to keep it alive!

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Pet dogs raid the garbage ... Obedience dogs are very food motivated

5. HORSE WORKSHOPS:

We have 2 possibilities for you which are both very exciting! The first is that our Senior Horse Practitioner, Lindy Dekker is starting to give more and more One-day Horse trainings! This will give many of you who have been not been able to attend the longer trainings a chance to experience the work first hand!

The second is our regular twice a year Practitioner Trainings with our overseas Instructors. These 5-day workshops can stand alone or be one module for our Practitioner Program, so no experience necessary to come!

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6. TTOUCH DOG & CAT WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES

DOG WORKSHOPS

 CAT WORKSHOPS

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Pet dogs beg for treats ... Show dogs animate for bait

7. TTOUCH TIPS – Abalone Touch for thunder Storms & Fireworks

This summer during those noisy thunderstorms, one of the best TTouches to use to restore your dog’s equilibrium is the Abalone Touch

How to do it:

The touch of your completely flat hand provides warmth and security, and is ideal for sensitive, sick or injured dogs.  You can also help nervous animals calm down and relax.  Dogs that are very sensitive to being touched or brushed can overcome their fear and resistance with the help of Abalone Touch.

To do the Abalone TTouch, place your flat hand on the dog’s body.  Your whole hand moves the skin in the usual one-and-a-quarter circle (see reminder below on basic circle).  It is important that you use just enough pressure so that your hand does not slide over the surface of the skin but actually moves it.  The Abalone is very similar to the Lying Leopard TTouch, but since the whole hand pushes the skin in a circle (instead of the fingers), it is easier to do.

The Abalone Touch is great for calming nervous dogs and for relaxing tense and painful muscles in a dog’s shoulders.  The warmth of the hand contributes greatly to this effect.  If you dog lies down, you can reach both shoulders easily.  (From Getting in TTouch with Your Dog by Linda Tellington-Jones – available from the TTouch office – call 011 884-3156)

Eugenie’s Comment: If your dog starts to shiver and shake during a thunderstorm, this touch can make a huge difference. When the dog is standing, I like to use it starting at the shoulders. I put a flat hand on either side of the dog’s body, then slowly do a circle with, say my right hand. As I come into the lift towards the spine in the 9 o’clock position, I also lift the skin under my left hand towards the spine. So I’m lifting the skin on both sides of the body with both hands. I then hold the skin for a few seconds before slowly carrying it back down to its original position. I then move my hands a little further back and repeat. Within a couple of circles, you may start to notice that during the few seconds that you hold the skin up towards the spine, the shivering will stop. As you release the skin, it usually resumes. Gradually however, the trembling will lessen and stop altogether. Needless to say, ear work and other TTouch techniques area usually used on such dogs, but the Abalone is a good start. Now, be sure to study how to do the basic Clouded Leopard circle below if you don’t already know!

NOTE: The circular touches all have the same principles, but different parts of the hand are used for different things as they leave a different impression on the body.

CLOUDED LEOPARD: This is considered the basic circle and all other circular touches are considered a variation on this one.

1. Hold both your hands together in a slightly cupped position.  Where your 4 fingers touch is what you will use to make the Clouded Leopard circle.

2. Place your hand with fingers still slightly curve on your dog’s body. The fingers should be lightly together and the thumb connecting with the body for support should be slightly away from the 4 fingers, which will be making the circle.

3. Now visualise the face of the clock – we want to make a circle and a quarter only, in a clockwise movement. See if you can always put the 6 o’clock position of your circle nearest to the ground (Visualize a clock face on your dogs body and pull up away from the floor towards the ceiling)

4. Place one hand on the animal for support and balance and use the other hand to make the circle.

5. Start your fingers at the 6 o’clock position, move around the clock by pushing (or pulling) the skin in a clockwise motion until you’ve done one complete circle and a quarter, which will end up at 9 o’clock.

6. Your fingers and their joints should remain flexible and supple. Any tension in your hand will transfer into your animal!

7. Do only one circle in a spot, then slide your hand down the dog’s body to the next position.

8. You might want to work down the side of the spine, then move a bit lower and do another line parallel to the spine and down into the legs. You can do circles anywhere on your dog’s body!

9. Your pressure should be soft, but firm. Most people start much too hard. Your dog will probably let you know if this is so! Try a couple of different pressures and see what seems comfortable for your individual animal

10. Don’t forget to breathe! When we start to concentrate, we often hold our breath. The more relaxed our own bodies, the more relaxed your dog will be.

11. Afterwards, do a long, steady stroke to integrate the circles.

12. Good luck and enjoy! There is more info on how to do touches on the website at www.ttouchsa.co.za

8. HEALTH: HERBAL TREATMENTS Part 1 –taken from “All You Ever Wanted to Know About Herbs for Pets” by Mary L. Wulff-Tilford & Gregory L Tilford – available from www.dogwise.com

SAGE

Sage is an excellent remedy for infections/ulcerations in the mouth, of the skin, or digestive tract. It is an effective and safe antibiotic and also helps to expel gas and ease gastric cramping. A strong sage tea is effective in treating and preventing gingivitis as well as infection that is secondary to injury or dental surgery.  Horses can be fed a handful of fresh leaves in their daily food ration as a treatment for colic and flatulence that is secondary to bacterial or fungal infection.  Smaller animals can be given a tea in their drinking water.  To make the tea, steep 1 tablespoon of dried leaves in a cup of near-boiling water.  Stir frequently until lukewarm and strain.  This tea can be sweetened with honey and fed at a rate of 2 tablespoons (25ml) per 9kg body weight 2 or 3 times daily.  Sage tea can be used as a rinse for treating fungal and bacterial infections of the skin such as ringworm.  NB:  Sage is said to inhibit lactation and the thujone it contains is known to have abortifacient properties.  Sage also has hypoglycaemic effects and may interfere with hypoglycaemic or anticonvulsive therapies.

PARSLEY

Parsley is known as an effective diuretic that is especially beneficial in the treatment of rheumatoid conditions.  Parsley root is useful in cases of arthritis that are compounded or perhaps even caused by poor waste elimination, a problem that is often a result of a poor diet.  Dogs and cats can be given a strong tea of the dried or freshly grated root (1 teaspoon of the strong tea per day for cats, 1-2 tablespoons for dogs), or a tincture can be used (1-2 ml per 13,5kg body weight).  Horses can be fed a few handfuls of the entire fresh plant (leaves, roots and all) each day, or a cup of the dried herb daily.  Parsley leaves also contain apiol and several other volatile oils that have antiseptic qualities, making the herb useful for urinary tract infections.  It may also help boost kidney function in cases of non-inflammatory, early-onset renal failure.  Perhaps the best way to use parsley leaf for gastric or urinary disorders or for its nutritional qualities is to juice it.  If you don’t have a vegetable juicer, pack an electric blender halfway full with fresh leaves and add just enough water to liquefy the leaves into a dark green soup.  The juice/blender soup can be fed directly to an animal with an empty stomach (best option) or added to their drinking water (second best) or food (last resort) – 1 teaspoon per 9kg body weight.  The juice (or a few drops of the leaf tincture) also serves as an excellent breath freshener.  NB:  Don’t administer this herb during an animal’s pregnancy as the volatile oils it contains can be absorbed into the placenta.  It should also not be used if inflammation of the kidneys exists. .

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Pet dogs steal socks and laundry...

Show dogs show natural retrieving ability.

9. SHANTI UPDATE: German Short-haired Pointer -  3 years and 9 months- By Eugenie Chopin

Lots to share, but no time to write it! I want this Newsletter to actually get out before February! So I’ll keep you guessing and hopefully do more sharing next month!

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10. YOUR LETTERS

A) Hi,

Diane called me late one evening in a panic. Her Great Dane had had puppies two days before and wanted nothing to do with her pups. Diane said she seemed to be very depressed and was just lying tightly curled up in her box.  She had nearly killed one of the pups by lying on it. I sent her to the website and also sent her some details on how to do the clouded leopard, ear work & belly lifts. I asked her to call me in the morning if she needed more help.

This was her response a few days later.

Niki (TT Practitioner)

Dear Niki,

I am so grateful to you for sending me the information via e-mail on TTouch it came through well. As I told you my Great Dane bitch was very tense and depressed after giving birth, I used the ear touch and the one on her tummy, within 24 hours she was stretched out and the pups could feed well, they are growing very well and she is being a very good mum.

Thank you once again.

Best regards,

Diane Copson

B) Hi Eugenie

Pippa's Story

In December 2001 I decided it was time to get a BC friend for Chaka, my male BC who would turn 2 in April. I given a lot of thought of taking a rescue dog, as there were so many BC's that needed new homes. In January I was told that the police at the dog school at Hammanskraal had some young BC's that they couldn't use and came up for auction. Without really knowing what adopting rescue dogs was like I went off to see the dogs. According to the people in charge all the BC's were under 2 years, just what I was looking for. There were 4 BC's and amongst the four of us that wanted them we decided which ones we would take. I decided to take "Tess" because she was the frailest and smallest of the four.

In the car on the way home I looked at her teeth and thought they were very bad for such a young dog. I stopped the car and scrutinized the papers and discovered that she was actually 7 years old. I did not have the heart not to take her.

At home things between her and Chaka started off well until I decided - in my ignorance- to give each a bone. Chaka couldn't handle it and went for her. I tried to get them apart and in the process was bitten by Chaka. What a shock. Later that afternoon after myself being stitched up my BC friends came to visit. Chaka and Pippa were calmly playing on the grass.

Soon after that the two BC's and myself went to the sea. We had a wonderful time, but Pippa bonded more with Chaka than with me. I just left them. Pippa was a terrible barker and I did not know how to get her to stop. At Chaka's agility classes she barked so much that one of the other handlers asked me to keep her in the car. Needless to say what that did to her and the car.

At that stage she was fine with the 2 Maltese I had, but the older of the two, who is now 17 started seeing and hearing less, which made her very tense. It is then when Pippa bit her badly one day when the Maltese came back from the doggy parlour. Pippa wanted to smell her and she felt threatened and jumped away. After Sproete being stitched up and myself feeling quite shaken I was scared to let Pippa near the little dogs, but it was difficult as Sproete loved to walk around the garden and mark her territory. She is still a very dominant girl, even at this age. After about two days everything was back to normal at home.

At agility Pippa was allowed to sit outside and I tied her and Chaka up next to each other, so she felt much better. She still tended to bar a lot and got more tense and worked up without me really noticing. I was very new in the "big dog" situation and never had any problems with my smaller dogs.

After I had Pippa for just over a year and things not really getting better I decided to start her with Obedience to build up her confidence. It was only then that we realised how insecure she was and some form of mishandling in her past came up. She so wanted to please, she didn't now what to do. She was extremely highly strung, but learnt very fast and I was proud of her. Only then did I realise how much attention she needed from me, and that she had to learn to trust and listen to me and not to Chaka.

After almost a year after Sproete's attack, Fiela, the other Maltese was bitten. Chaka and Pippa were playing outside with the ball and were very hyped up. As Pippa ran into the house, she bumped into Fiela and bit her. The same story as with Sproete, but Fiela was mush more scared and timid. I didn't expect it. I felt sorry for the little dogs and was angry at Pippa, but realised that she couldn't help it and did not do it on purpose.

It was that Friday evening that I remembered a colleague at work telling me about TTouch. I started surfing the web and finally discovered Eugenie's information. I decided to give her a call. We talked about the issues with Pippa, I sent through her information and made an appointment to take Pippa through the following Saturday.

At Eugenie's I realised that all Pippa needed was a lot of gentle care. It is shouting that got her worked up and confused. She loved being touched by Eugenie, though she was a bit unsure at first. We gave her a body wrap, which she accepted without any fuss.

I made 2 more appointments and started working with Pippa. She had her body wrap on when we went to obedience. She definitely felt more secure, but still got tensed up with some of the other dogs. This was only the beginning of the road. I started realising a lot of things that I did wrong and that could have prevented the previous biting episodes. I realised that by rescuing a dog, you don't go and fetch them and they frolic on, just too happy to have a new home. Like most people they carry the scars of insecurity, feeling rejected and often abused.

Through Pippa I was forced to learn about animal behaviour. I am looking at my dogs with different eyes and try not to see it from a human perspective. If it was not for Pippa I wouldn't have discovered Ttouch, what it meant for me, Pippa, the two old Maltese who can't wait to be touched and even Chaka. I should have had more hands. Even my friends benefited from it.

It is now almost two months after the first Ttouch session. Pippa is much calmer, but has her moments. I keep the little ones separate from the BC's, just to give all of us peace of mind. We all have our moments of being together outside. When I let the little ones out, Pippa comes and leans against me, just looking at them. She has started responding to me calling her and comes, where as in the past she just ignored me.

As Maxine told me once - "every person deserves the dog they get" I got Pippa. I had the choice of trying to re-home her, which would have been impossible, putting her down, which I never could do, or sticking with her and work through it together.

We are now all settling down to a much calmer life style. All of us trying to stress less and just enjoy life. Pippa is blossoming with all the positive attention she is getting and the whole situation at home is quietening down.

Pippa has also started with agility. She is now off lead jumping at least 5 jumps in a row, and she loves going over the A-frame.

Thanks for helping me, Pippa and the other three dogs. We are all benefiting from Ttouch.

With kind regards

Laura

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Thousands of years ago cats were worshiped as Gods. Cats have never forgotten this!

11. ODDS AND ENDS

a.   Book of the Month  - How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves by Sophia Yin, D.V.M.  Sophia Yin is an applied animal behaviourist, who discusses an in-depth approach to understanding dogs and effective communication with them. I can really recommend this book! It takes the Learning Theory of Classical and Operant Conditioning and makes it readable for the man in the street. It then goes onto the “how tos” of training. What I particularly like about it are the questions and answers at the end of a topic that really get you thinking and problem solving.

b.      Website of the Month – www.nerdbook.com/sophia 

Author of our book of the month, Dr. Yin has written hundreds for paper on a variety of training and behavioural problems. Go to this website and have a look!

c.       Events

Free Me Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is once again planning to host the IWRC 1AB (Wildlife Rehabilitation) Basic Skills Seminar, as well as the two available advanced courses. The Basic course takes place over two days, while each advanced course is covered in one day. The Basic course is planned for the 11 and 12 March 2005, and the two advanced courses will take place on the 13 and 14  March 2005. Contact: Hilary 082 440 1699 or Margi 082 561 3681

The cost of this course will be R1200. This amount includes all course material as well as lunch and teas. The curriculum for the Basic course covers topics such as introduction to physiology, calculating drug doses, handling and physical restraint, nutrition, avian neonatal care, zoonoses, housing, and criteria for release and euthanasia. There is a laboratory session, which covers topics such as gavage, intramuscular and subcutaneous injections, basic physical examination limb immobilization and weighing. freemerehab@lantic.co.za or nicciw@rttc.co.za

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FUND RAISER:  Free Me will also be hosting the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Barnyard     Theatre on 23^rd February.   Tickets R135, 00. Contact: Hilary 082 440 1699 or Margi 082 561 3681

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            Animal communication workshops with Wynter Worsthorne or visit www.animaltalk.org.uk

Wynter is coming back to SA next month, so do go onto her website to access dates and times!

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Animal - assisted therapy and activities: Workshop with Dr Magdie Van Heerden –. Module 1 on 11 February, 1

July and 7 October for health & social service workers, educators, veterinary care workers, volunteers..  This will

include knowledge on the values and aims of, methods in, clients/patients/animals and ethics involved in AAT/AAA.

(012) 996 0529 or e-mail magdie.hai@netactive.co.za

d.      Animals Needing Homes 

1.      3 beautiful cats desperately needing homes. My cousin and his girlfriend are moving to the UK on Sunday and have not found homes for the precious children. 2 are 1 year old and the other is 3 years old.
Please if you know of anyone to let me know ASAP, they need to be homed before we consider taking them to the SPCA.

CONTACT: Sarah Dawes011 447-4480 or 083 231 6950
 

2.      I’m looking for a home for my daughter’s dogs, Hercules and Athena. My daughter is no longer able to have them as she has moved to an apartment.  Mongrels, Hercules and Athena are brother and sister and are very close to each other. It would be nice if they could remain together. They have been neutered and spayed respectively, have microchips, and are up to date with all their vaccinations. They are 12 months old and housetrained.  Please call Chloe on 082-467-3935 

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3.   Hello Eugenie, I enjoy your newsletters so much and always wish I could afford to join your classes but being a pensioner cannot see my way clear, however, this is to ask you if you can please help me find a wonderful home for my boxer.  Unfortunately I have had to downsize to a townhouse and they will not allow me to have my boxer with me.  If I can find a good home this will ease the pain.  She will be 6 in April, her name is Lucy, and she has been spayed, is a good watchdog and loves children.  Please help me. Thank you very much   

      Regards Muriel Mackinlay (011) 768 4014 / 083 748 9276

         PS:  Muriel has now moved and Lucy is at present in Kennels

PLEASE CONTACT OWNERS DIRECTLY

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e. HAIG: The Human Animal Interaction Group’s AGM & 21^st Birthday Celebration is scheduled for February 16, 2005!

So diarise if you’re a member or maybe you’d like to join! It’s only R75 a year for discounts on Seminars and the quarterly Newsletter. Or just be a part of contributing to Animal Projects with your Contribution.

To ask about Membership, contact Lotte at lotrich@iafrica.com

 

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Eugenie Chopin, Certified TTouch Practitioner II for Companion Animal
PO Box 729
Strathavon 2031
Tel: 011 884-3156
Fax: 011 783 1515
Email: echopin@icon.co.za, Website: www.ttouchsa.co.za