NaturallyWild

Unfortunately I cannot get to Melbourne - do you happen to know if/when she is running workshops in Sydney??

Here's details of all the workshops being run.

Nov 7-11: Sydney - TTouch for Companion Animals

Contact: Andy Robertson

Ph (02) 9653-3506 Fax (02) 9653-3507 Email: [email protected]

Nov 14-18: Canberra -TTouch Training for horses

Contact: Brigitte Heyer

Ph/fax (02) 6238 2141, Email: [email protected]

Nov 21-25 Sydney - TTouch Training for horses

Contact: Rebecca Booth, PO Box 50, APPIN NSW 2560,

Fax (02) 4631 1308, Email: [email protected]

Nov 28-Dec 2: Pakenham, Victoria - TTouch for horses

Contact: Ken Jelbart

Ph 03 59414455, Email: [email protected]

Dec 5-9: Melbourne - TTouch for Companion Animals

Contact: Tim Munro

Ph: 0401133355, Email: [email protected]

For further information contact: Robyn at [email protected] or www.ttouch.ca

Hi all,

I am coordinating a TTouch workshop for companion animals in December. The trainer taking the workshop is Robyn Hood (sister of the creator of TTouch - Linda Tellington-Jones) who will be in Australia also running horse workshops in various states.

TTouch can be used to help various behavioural, physical and health conditions. TTouch Training is a gentle, respectful and effective approach to the care and training of companion animals. TTouch will deepen the relationship between you and your pet —whether cat, dog, bird, rabbit, reptile or guinea pig.

The training is for either 2 or 5 days. A $50 discount is available for full 5 day registration by 1st October.

Further discounts are also available for staff of rescue organisations (limited positions).

For further information or registration forms see this link

We are also looking for other animals outside of those provided by the participants. Particularly ones other than dogs such as cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, bird, reptiles, ferrets, etc. If you have an animal you would be happy to be involved whether it has a special condition or not, then please contact me.

Thanks

Tim

Hi all,

I am coordinating a TTouch workshop for companion animals in December. The trainer taking the workshop is Robyn Hood (sister of the creator of TTouch - Linda Tellington-Jones) who will be in Australia also running horse workshops in various states.

TTouch can be used to help various behavioural, physical and health conditions. TTouch Training is a gentle, respectful and effective approach to the care and training of companion animals. TTouch will deepen the relationship between you and your pet —whether cat, dog, bird, rabbit, reptile or guinea pig.

The training is for either 2 or 5 days. A $50 discount is available for full 5 day registration by 1st October.

Further discounts are also available for staff of rescue organisations (limited positions).

For further information or registation forms see this link

We are also looking for other animals outside of those provided by the participants. Particularly ones other than dogs such as cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, bird, reptiles, ferrets, etc. If you have an animal you would be happy to be involved whether it has a special condition or not, then please contact me.

Thanks

Tim

I'm looking at redesigning a harness at the moment that has multiple connection points but also does not restrict the dogs natural leg movement like many of the harnesses do. The use is mainly about getting the dog to rebalance itself and requires some leash skills (from TTouch methods) but because it will have a front connector could still be used like the GL, sensible, etc to redirect the dog from the easier pivot point.

A work in progress and will need to test with different breeds when ready, but should be highly adjustible to fit any shaped dog.

Tim

Have a look at this:

How to cure cat-chasing dog

Definitely a trip to the vet if it is something that persists.

You may also want to see a soft tissue therapist. Someone that does massage or bowen therapy may help correct or release restrictions from that leg and elsewhere on the body that is contributing to the problem.

A google search should find some practitioners.

Regards

Tim

You could try some TTouch work - good for situations like this. Andy is a practitioner in Sydney you could contact her regarding this. Details can be found at http://www.ttouchaustralia.com.au/?page=7

Alternative is to buy/borrow a book on it, but you would learn a lot better from hands on experience.

Have you tried using any flower essences such as Rescue Remedy. These can sometimes make a big difference.

Regards

Tim

I'm also looking for a few different animals for the teacher to show how the techniques work with animals other than dogs &/or participants to work on. Animals can have problems you are working on / aware of, or also have no issues.

Various animals can be:

Birds (parrots)

Cats

Rabbits/guinea pigs

etc (eg small companion animals)

We would be looking at having them available at sometime during the day (eg 1 to 2hrs I'm guessing between 9:30am-4:30pm) for 1 or more days for the period 18, 19, 20 May.

You can contact me by leaving a message here, emailing ([email protected]) or phone 0401133355.

Tim

I'm also looking for a few different animals for the teacher to show how the techniques work with animals other than dogs &/or participants to work on. Animals can have problems you are working on / aware of, or also have no issues.

Various animals can be:

Birds (parrots)

Cats

Rabbits/guinea pigs

etc (eg small companion animals)

We would be looking at having them available at sometime during the day (eg 1 to 2hrs I'm guessing between 9:30am-4:30pm) for 1 or more days for the period 18, 19, 20 May.

You can contact me by leaving a message here, emailing ([email protected]) or phone 0401133355.

Tim

Hi all,

This is just a last minute notice for anyone interested in attending a TTouch training being held in Croydon from 16-20 May.

TTouch is a gentle technique that can help resolve many issues covering behaviour, movement, illnesses, body pain, etc.

The workshop is for 5 days but there is an option of attending just the first 2 days.

There are a few places remaining.

For more information on the technique and application form see this: http://naturallywild.net.au/News%20Events.html

Regards

Tim

Hi all,

This is just a last minute notice for anyone interested in attending a TTouch training being held in Croydon from 16-20 May.

TTouch is a gentle technique that can help resolve many issues covering behaviour, movement, illnesses, body pain, etc.

The workshop is for 5 days but there is an option of attending just the first 2 days.

There are a few places remaining.

For more information on the technique and application form see this: http://naturallywild.net.au/News%20Events.html

Regards

Tim

I would love to do this but unfortunately that thing called 'work' gets in the way yet again.

Would the option of the 2 day attendance be on Sat/Sun?

Yes the 2 day attendance is for Sat/Sun (16-17th). If it was for other days then the things taught earlier would need to be retaught or it may make it difficult to practice the current stuff.

I'm sorry, but Robyn Hood?

Yes I know - I expected tights, feather in hat, and a bow and arrow. Alas, no such thing.

No merry men either. I was the token bloke in the training last year.

Hi all,

I'm doing the organising for a 5-day T-Touch training in Melbourne when Robyn Hood (sister of Linda Tellington-Jones) is in Aus during May. There is also an option for 2-day attendance if there is space available.

For further details/application forms regarding the workshop see this link News / Events.

I did the training last year in Sydney and found it thoroughly enjoyable as well as mentally exhausting from the amount of learning and concentration.

There will also be a fundraiser event from Robyn at some point as well for the bushfire affected animals. I am in the process of trying to organise this. Stay tuned for further info.

If you have any further queries, just let me know.

Tim

I've recently moved out to Croydon, still setting up the house at the moment but happy to see people if they can deal with some mess. I do mobile treatments as well though. (I need to update my website).

I offer massage, bowen and other musculo-skeletal techniques. Also in the process of trying to develop a technique for owners to regularly do to provide long term corrections.

Tim

Try searching here

http://www.bowen.asn.au/html/modules.php?f...icle&sid=15

or

http://www.emrt.eques.com.au/ccmrt/index.htm

or

http://www.smartbowen.com/fsmall.php

Hope these help

Tim

Jacqui

Look at this website - the guy makes the equipment in Melbourne, I'm sure it could be sihpped easily.

http://www.boroondaradogtraining.com.au/Cr...%20Comforts.htm

Otherwise go to Ikea for their childrens tunnel ($30).

I have dealt with several dogs where the emotional stress played a large part in itchy skin as well as muscular problems. It actually effects more things than most people think. Diet usually plays a major role as well though. Suggest you try some rescue remedy or someone who can mix specific flower essences for this problem along with looking more closely at his diet (to eliminate aggravating components) and training (to reduce the stress in these situations).

No idea if any good, but was on a list of holistic vets i have.

Dr. Ian Bidstrup BVSc (Hons)

RMB 7078, Wangaratta, 3678

OT: IVAS Certificate, MACVSc (Equine Med), Cert. Vet Chiro (AVCA)

Interests: Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Bach Flower Essences

Mobile 0417 115 677

Fax 03) 5722 4466

[email protected]

Might also look at these links for an animal bowen therapist

http://www.bowen.asn.au/html/modules.php?o...icle&sid=15

or

http://www.bowenwork.com/public/practition...arch.results.do

Very interesting approach.

Can you tell us who is she how sucessfull is she and a bit more about this

She is one of the top agility handlers in Canada and runs a fantastic crossbreed called 'Eejit'.

(Haven't read her book tho')

She is also involved in running the Chicago SPCA (or was) and is also involved with one of the universities in or around chicago doing research on animal cognition (particularly canine).

LL - that quote from her book has me a little confused with what she is getting at - will have to read it properly when i have time (or when i get my book back ). I met her when i was in the states last year and she seemed pretty switched on.

NW, what about types of praise for the correct responses after a second cue repeat, or do you feel the relief of pressure is adequate?

Depends on the situation:

Did the dog hear me in the first place?

What other distractions are around?

Could the dog be sick or injured?

Is it an emergency and a response is needed now?

Is it training for a sport?

Am i asking them to lie down because they are infront of the TV but they are busy being focused on the snake in the tank next to the TV?????

Usually would just give a low level verbal praise eg "thankyou".

If it was an emergency then the relief of pressure would probably be adequate because the cue would have had some urgency within it.

I will often release after the dog has complied from a mutiple cued response and give the chance to get it first go and receive a bigger reward (particularly if there is a distraction).

No.3:

Cue

Reinforcement if correct

Repeat cue if not.

If i have to repeat more than 3 times i would be asking why - most likely answer is the environment is too distracting (either in a positive or negative way) and this is what needs to be worked on rather than the sit.

I hadn't thought of helping the kids teach them tricks. I don't know if much can be done with Kovu at the moment...he is VERY full on, and VERY prey driven...he is fine if it's just him and no distractions, but he's not a dog I would let kids throw a toy for. He's very good with me and will sit and look at my face for me to throw the toy, but he gets frustrated quickly and he may jump up at them. So toys+kids+Kovu = no

You definitely need to make 110% sure of safety in all situations (which it sounds like your doing), but that doesn't mean that the kids can't be involved in some fun training.

Working with one dog at a time, If you were to keep that dog on lead with you and you are the one that gives the rewards (toys or treats) but its the kids that ask the dog what to do, or even give them a clicker and just do some free shaping (remember you can still reward even if the kids didn't click to prevent frustration occurring). There are a lot of different options that still keep the kids safe but get them involved and as you said they may want too if their dad isn't around.

Daegon will bark at people while he's crated, I think it's from excitement and demanding attention perhaps? He will not do this to me, he knows he'll cop it from me. When he does this to other people should I be the one to get stuck into him for it or should the people he's barking at simply turn away from him and ignore him?

Ignoring him works for some things with Daegon, I find when he's really excited though that I need to verbally reinforce that he's doing the wrong thing.

ETA: and what about Daegon being told off when he's not doing anything except walking near them, not being excited, nothing like that...just being there? I guess it's about training the kids as well, but how much can you really expect?

If the barking is overexcitement/attention seeking i would careful about verbally trying to correct this as it may just give him some of the attention he wants - simply ignore and walk off - walk back when quiet. Another option is to throw a towel over the top when this starts and removing it when it stops.

Another thing that might be worthwhile you practising is body blocking to calm your dogs down - try this when they are playing, simply stepping in between them and preventing them getting at each other (focus on the one who is more over the top at the time). Your body signals will start telling them to calm down rather than having to use verbal or physical corrections which might not be good with kids involved (they can think there is something to be worried about, or worse try an imitate).

Your spot on about needing to train the kids as well, they need just as many rules as the dogs - but getting them involved in specific fun games can be really rewarding. There are a few books and videos on training with kids so might be worthwhile having a look at some - dogwise has a heap i think.

Also think about upping the amount of rewards/treats that you give them for just calm quiet behaviour at any time (guests as well - once they've calmed down - the dogs that is ).

Thanks for the tips

How do I go about curbing the excitement? The dogs do not jump on the kids, they (Daegon especially) just put their faces into them because they want to be close but that is scaring the kids. How can you just get the dogs to ignore them for the most part so that they're not so interested in getting so close to them?

One option is that each time the kids (or other people) and dogs are introduced that the dogs are not allowed to "say hello" until they have calmed down and even not looking for attention from the new person. Let them calm themselves down on their own, no interaction from anyone (just keeping them under control on a lead) until they get bored. This is when i would let them go and say hello (and maybe sit for a treat), if they get rev'd up again then create space again. Lot and lots of repetitions of this. Be patient, it may take quite some time for them to relax initially but the more you repeat it with new person after new person, they will eventually catch on.