Behavior Modification: TTouch®

What is TTouch®?

TTouch® is a form of touch therapy developed by Linda Tellington-Jones as a way to condition relaxation through gentle massage. The idea is that the light touch raises the animal’s awareness of the environment, and that awareness promotes controlled reactions to stimuli rather than reflexive reactions. 

TTouch® has been used in people and in many animal species as a component of behavior modification. The technique is safe and well tolerated by most animals. Anecdotal responses are positive, though no major scientific studies have been done on TTouch benefits.

What is involved in TTouch®?

TTouch is a light massage technique that consists of specific, controlled, massage procedures that relax the animal and help them learn new and more appropriate behaviors more easily.

What problematic behaviors could improve by adding TTouch®?

Most treatment plans for behavioral problems are designed using a multi-modal approach. A treatment such as  TTouch® can be a safe addition to a comprehensive plan and may be best suited for behaviors related to arousal or anxiety. Some situations in which dog or cat caregivers have found some benefit to TTouch® include:

• Excessive barking or chewing, 
• Pulling on the lead  
• Jumping up, 
• Fears, such as fear of thunderstorms or fireworks 
• General excitability 
• Car sickness
• Anxiety related to aging
• Fear related to veterinary visits

How is TTouch® administered?

The first step is to apply TTouch® over several sessions, until your dog or cat shows consistent relaxation during the massage. The “touches” must be repeated several times over different parts of the body.

Next, TTouch® can be applied in the face of the stimulus that triggers distress. For example, if your dog or cat becomes distressed during a storm, TTouch® may be used to condition a relaxed response in a specific location that will be available when the storm occurs. 

Once your pet is relaxed, you can gradually introduce muted sounds of thunder while your pet is being massaged. Over time, you can make the sound louder, so your pet can gradually be desensitized to the noise. As with any basic behavior modification technique, improvement is gradual. 

TTouch® involves a partnership between you and your pet, so it is important that you are personally relaxed. When you are relaxed, you do not communicate tension to your pet. Every animal is different and the right pressure for one may not be the same for another. You can practice with a friend to get feedback about whether you are generating the right feel.

Are there many different TTouch® techniques?

Several TTouch® techniques have been developed, and each one has a specific name. For example, the “Clouded Leopard” is a basic, circular movement that is especially useful for highly muscled dogs.

• Press one hand on the animal and gently cup the other like a paw. The pads of the thumb and the fingers should be in gentle contact with the body but not moving. The three middle finger pads should be held together. 
• Then move the skin in a clockwise direction, starting with an upward motion, moving in a small circle about half an inch in diameter.
• After making slightly more than one revolution, you move to another part of the animal’s body and repeat the process. Rapid circles appear to increase alertness, and slower ones release muscular tension and enhance breathing.

Another technique, called the “Lying Leopard,” involves the same circular movements as the Clouded Leopard, but the hand is held a little flatter, so there is more hand surface in contact with the animal’s body. The increased contact with the dog appears to improve relaxation, particularly in fearful or easily startled dogs. If the dog is very excited, start by making a few circles quickly and then slow down as the dog calms down. This touch is reputed to help relieve the pain associated with some injuries.

A further modification of this circular motion is the “Abalone,” which is also used to calm anxious and excitable animals. The full hand is placed in contact with the animal and moved in a circle, in one-and-a-quarter rotations, but the stroke ends with a reverse action.

Another touch frequently used is the “Tarantulas Pulling the Plow,” in which you take a fold of skin between the thumb and forefingers of each hand, with the thumbs behind the fold, touching one another. The fingers are then walked against the natural lie of the hair with the thumbs gently pushing the fold along from behind. This is often used in animals that are very sensitive to touch.

Other techniques include ear and mouth work, again endeavoring to calm and relax the animal.

Will it help my pet’s behavior if I try some of these techniques?

TTouch® appears to help calm many pets. However, its effectiveness has yet to be validated. It is not clear whether its effectiveness is related to the specific touch techniques or due to the effects of training your pet to relax with a gentle and calm massage.

When applying any form of TTouch®, it is important to be aware of your pet’s body language, particularly when your hands are close to your pet’s mouth. A pet that is fearful or in pain could become anxious. With repeated sessions, fear could escalate, potentially generating an aggressive response. If you observe signs of fear or aggression, it is essential to change or discontinue the massage protocol.

Where can I find more information about TTouch®?

Linda Tellington-Jones’ website, www.ttouch.com, gives further information about TTouch®.