Obedience training

[BillPitcher]

Karma struck in November, when we discovered that we only live minutes away from Gemstone Labradoodles. That month we became the guardian home for Ïce". Then in January Barb asked if I would start some basic obedience training on their young dogs. So I work two dogs a day, one at a time, I pick them up, work 30 mins or more & keep a log sheet on each dog, what the session entailed & how it went. I also do Ttouch therapy on these dogs at the beginning of each session. We have even taken several to large mall parking lots in the area, doing obedience traing with lots of distractions, then just walk about & socialize the dog.

[Adina P]

Can you say more about TTouch for those who may not have heard of it?

[BillPitcher]

Where do I start. The Readers Digest version is: Ttouch stands for Tellington Touch, ; works with all animals, Founder is Lynda Tellington who lives in Santa Fe N.M. Her sister Robyn Hood (no laughing) lives near Vernon.They give clinics all over the world, including Zoos that have problem animals. It is very easy to learn & results are apparent even if you are doing it a tad wrong. I started using the TTouch on horses over 15 yrs ago, & had good results, & when Lynda & Robyn started using it on dogs, I began trying it, with even better results than with the horses. You could google Tellington Ttouch & fill your boots with info.

[Adina P]

I've already read about it, but was hoping you would give a brief synopsis..(the name isn't all that telling) if you have time. What does it involve? Is it training, is it touching or massage?

[BillPitcher]

It is a series of touches that help the animal become connected. They have neat names to help you remember them, i.e clouded leopard, lying leopard, Noahs march, lick of the cows tongue, trantula pulling the plow, belly lifts; just to name a few. Rudimentary, simple to make obstacles are also employed to assist the dog. So it is both touch & training

[BillPitcher]

Thanks Ann, I think you will profit from Ttouch. Most libraries carry some of Lyndas books & videos, covering her work with horses & dogs. We live just off Hwy 97 about 10 miles from Vernon, & only minutes from Gemstone Labradoodles. My wife & I were just talking at supper, about reading all these problems folks have with their dogs. I believe the common thread is time. Owners have dogs, kids, work & other committments; & time not spent with the dog will cause you problems. The spin from this is, with an old duffer like me, you have to be wary of your reward, you see you are with him so much & casually paying so much attention to him, that sometimes he doesn't appreciate his reward or praise when you are training, because he is so accustomed to it. Given my druthers, I would choose more time than less & just be aware of what may be issues.