NaturallyWild

Have you tried any form of therapy to help regulate your dogs nervous system. I utilise TTouch and Craniosacral therapy a lot with dogs with these issues, but acupuncture and some others could also be useful depending on what you could find in your area. Often you can see signs of smallers issues in different situations and helping these change reduces/removes the larger reactions to the storms eg finds it difficult to walk on floorboards/slippery/unstable surfaces, sensitivity to being touched around the head or rear end (so far all dogs I have seen with sound phobias have this), velcro dog or just general lack of confidence, digestive upsets, etc. The thundershirts developed out of the TTouch work and have I high level of success for many dogs but obviously not all. Using body wraps in different configurations can make a big change for those that the shirts did not. Eg putting a alice band/headband over your dogs forhead could help (you don't want it on tight though and if they try to take it off let them - they need to feel safe.) Someone who can take you through all of these different possibilities should hopefully be able to make a change. Good luck.

Summary of veterinary medical literature regarding the pros/cons of spay/neuter and ages regarding some. Long-Term Health Risks and Benefits Associated with Spay / Neuter in Dogs Laura J. Sanborn, M.S. May 14, 2007 Summary: An objective reading of the veterinary medical literature reveals a complex situation with respect to the longterm health risks and benefits associated with spay/neuter in dogs. The evidence shows that spay/neuter correlates with both positive AND adverse health effects in dogs. It also suggests how much we really do not yet understand about this subject. On balance, it appears that no compelling case can be made for neutering most male dogs, especially immature male dogs, in order to prevent future health problems. The number of health problems associated with neutering may exceed the associated health benefits in most cases. For female dogs, the situation is more complex. The number of health benefits associated with spaying may exceed the associated health problems in some (not all) cases. On balance, whether spaying improves the odds of overall good health or degrades them probably depends on the age of the female dog and the relative risk of various diseases in the different breeds.

You don't want to have constant pressure there if you can. If they surge forward, a gentle up-lift and then soften. I often tell people to lift, catchup to the dog so you are at their shoulders and then soften because they no longer in front. It shouldn't really rub because it ideally goes across the middle of the chest. For people that find that any of these things do not work, what usually changes it all is helping the person become better balanced. Same ideas as a horse rider who is off balance will lead to a horse with issues. We transfer a lot through the lead/saddle/reins.

The most beneficial way of using any of these harnesses that have a connector at the front and the back is not just to connect it to the front and then pull back if they pull or get out in front. This is going to put strain on the body (as will any form of pulling back on a lead, be it harness or collar of any form). What works best (particularly with the freedom harness and the sliding loop) is to actually lift up and forward (gently - not so you lift them of the ground). This results in them rebalancing their own weight back to a less forward motion (simple physics and avoiding the opposition reflex). For dogs that race forward a lot you can add some lightly greater grip/tension on the leash and "stroke the leash" one hand after the other (you allow the lead to slide through your hand but are offering about the same resistance as they are pulling forward with). All this type of leash/harness work comes from TTouch concepts where it is about helping the dog actually move in better balance - not about forcing a stop in motion. I still come back to using a "balance leash", particularly when I have no harness, and it often does a better job. For most dogs if you take the pressure off the collar and transfer it to the front of the chest they will shift their weight backwards and slow their movement (some back up so we loop it through the legs). I don't like seeing dogs pull in anything harness/collar/chain (or have their collars jerked/corrected) as I know of the deep physical problems it causes and what needs to be done to correct this. For anyone with the Gentle Leader Easywalk harness we recommend reversing the part that goes underneath the chest to over the top of the shoulders. This usually raises the height of the front chest strap so it doesn't pull down into the shoulders/elbows. The Blackdog harness has a sliding buckles for the strap around the front that allow it to be moved up/down. People should keep an eye that this hasn't dropped low over time. Nekhbet - these harnesses are not about causing discomfort of correction and should not be used in this fashion. Many of them are about redirecting movement (like a head halter used correctly), and if used in the best way they are about improving balanced movement. Regardless of what perceived pain threshold you see, if you have to rely on overcoming this then I would recommend you attend a TTouch training to see that this is not necessary.

Possibly, it might depend if the "class" situation is too much pressure for her with too many people around. We do have lots of space so might be ok. Generally in those situations showing the owner a few things to do is the first step before I would just jump straight in. If you want to send me a message with your phone number I can call to talk about it further. Tim

Hi TSD, Been meaning to get back to you to see about doing a bit more TTouch with your mob but has been a rediculously busy year and can't see it getting much less for the remainder. Definitely will at some point. Tim

Hi all, We are 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. Issues can be behavioural things like pulling on lead, reactiveness, fear, etc or health issues such as structural issues, pain, skin issues etc. These animals are wanted for Saturday or Sunday (May 21 & 22) and times can vary between 9:30-4:30 for a short or slightly longer period depending on issue and number of animals involved(eg ~1hr). The training is in Box Hill Nth for those of you needing a location. There are positions still available for anyone wishing to attend with a couple of discounted spots for workers from rescue shelters. For further information or registration forms see this link here There is also a training occuring in Sydney - see TTouch Australia site Thanks Tim

The one thing I tend to remind myself when things aren't moving so quickly is Click for action, reward for position Mrs D: I'm guessing the "back, back, back" was needed because the larger backwards movement wasn't trained ie back only got 2-3 steps, which would be why retraining through shaping is being used (plus as a challenge to improve on difficult areas) This conversation has me really interested in trying out some specific TTouch techniques to increase body awareness in combination with shaping to see if the process speeds up.

Regarding the blackdog front attachment harness, I believe they have been modified slightly not too long ago. I think they have slightly shortened the front section because there have been more people with issues with it still being too loose even at its shortest. I'm not really a fan of the description supplied of how to use the harness though. I do however prefer this harness in general because you can easily adjust the side connectors (for the front section) and slide them further up so the front section sits near the top of the chest and not at the elbows which can create physical concerns for me. Unfortunately there is not yet a single harness that fits every dogs shape perfectly (particularly for the different TTouch purposes) Regarding technique to use for them (specifically TTouch ideas), it is more about reducing the opposition you provide and helping them learn to move in balance. It's hard to simply explain the ideas compared to showing it because it sounds crazy sometimes - maybe think martial arts and how they influence larger weights/strengths. The less you pull the less they pull (physics) and the more you are balanced the more they are balanced. Having the two points of contact will actually allow you to influence their balance more subtly. As mentioned earlier, more of an upwards lift (more subtle than you think - not trying to actually take them off the ground) can help them slow, but if you allow too much slack whilst they are still learning to move in balance they are likely to get infront of you and you end up pulling backwards. You can also alternate some of the pressure applied to each leash connector (where blackdog got their directions from I think), but still subtle. If your pulling backward the dogs can still figure out how to pull forwards even though there is a front connector (just like dogs in head halters can). If you do get forward pulling, the idea is to try and meet that pressure then melt (soften in your hands/arms/body) which will often have the dog following this and returning to balance in which they either slow or stop. For more difficulty dogs (and owners who struggle about the opposition ideas/techniques) I will often use the leash connected to the leash as a stopping/slowing point (meet the pulling pressure) and then use the front connected leash to guide them away by coming as far forward and then out to the side which will far more easily influence their direction. This also has the benefit of not getting the dog spinning around suddenly or continuing to pull ahead (often at an angle) because of the opposition we are providing. This idea would be the same as I would mention to someone with a head halter having one connection to a collar and another to the halter, but I don't recommend them often because of stress to the neck. It is important to allow the leash (at both connectors) Cheers

Hi all, I am currently after people and their companion animals (dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, reptiles, etc) who would be interested in being involved in some cases studies I need/want to complete involving TTouch or Craniosacral Therapy. The animals should have some issue that is either currently being dealt with or something that has previously been dealt with without any or total resolution. Problems can involve physical, emotional/behavioural or health issues of any kind. People who get involved will need to commit to a minimum of three sessions and may go longer depending on the situation. Sessions are to occur in Croydon (VIC) and each one last for up to 1hr. If you are interested you can contact me via either email or phone Email: [email protected] Mob: 0401133355 If you would like to know more regarding either technique the following links may be of help http://www.craniosacraltherapy.org/Whatis.htm http://www.ttouchaustralia.com.au/ Regards Tim Munro

Hi all, I am currently after people and their companion animals (dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, reptiles, etc) who would be interested in being involved in some cases studies I need/want to complete involving TTouch or Craniosacral Therapy. The animals should have some issue that is either currently being dealt with or something that has previously been dealt with without any or total resolution. Problems can involve physical, emotional/behavioural or health issues of any kind. People who get involved will need to commit to a minimum of three sessions and may go longer depending on the situation. Sessions are to occur in Croydon (VIC) and each one last for up to 1hr. If you are interested you can contact me via either email or phone Email: [email protected] Mob: 0401133355 If you would like to know more regarding either technique the following links may be of help http://www.craniosacraltherapy.org/Whatis.htm http://www.ttouchaustralia.com.au/ Regards Tim Munro

I would highly recommend looking into TTouch as well as the response by Aidan. I have found this to be very successful. There are thundershirts which are available in different places but you could use a t-shirt, knotted to help it fit snug (but not too tight), or a bandage. This is part of what is used with TTouch.

Hi all, Just a reminder if anyone is wanting to get the early bird discount it needs to be organised by the 15th Sept. Tim

Hi all, Just a reminder if anyone is wanting to get the early bird discount it needs to be organised by the 15th Sept. Tim

Hi all, The next TTouch Training has been organised for November. TTouch offers positive solutions to common behavioural and health-related issues, including inappropriate aggression, car sickness, separation anxiety, excessive barking, chewing, jumping up and leash-pulling in dogs, resistance to grooming, nervousness, shyness, thunder phobia etc. Contributes to general well-being, and offers support of veterinary care. Date: November 13-16 9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. Location: Box Hill Nth Clinic: TTouch for Companion Animals Cost: 4 days - $600.00 with or without a dog Weekend only- $275.00 If you pay in full by the 15th September 2010 deduct $50 for the 4 day course or $25 for the 2 day course. Further details or forms for registration can be found on my website here http://naturallywild.net.au/News%20Events.html Details for workshops elsewhere in Australia can be found on the TTouch Australia site here as well as extra info if you want to know more about what TTouch is. Regards Tim