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PHAbymom: On behalf of Jeff Barringer and all of us at Pet Hobbyist, I'm very pleased to welcome Linda Tellington-Jones to our Ninth Annual Chat Week.

A gifted healer, instructor, and equestrian, Linda Tellington-Jones is an extraordinary pioneer in the field of animal health and well-being. In her competitive years, she won top awards in every riding discipline she pursued, while researching more humane and natural methods for training, feeding and treating horses. Along the way, she developed the Tellington T-touch, a hands-on form of circular healing massage that anyone can learn and practice. She has authored ten books for companion animals, which have been translated into multiple languages. There are now more than 1,000 certified Tellington T-Touch practitioners around the world.

PHAbymom: Thank you so much for joining us,Linda and welcome! Before we start with questions, Linda may have some remarks to start with.

LindaTTouch_nr: Hi everyone, its great to join you in this way. My westie, Rayne is standing by to help! Linda GA

HuggingPurrheads: Nice to meet you Linda.

PHAbymom: We had one chatter with a question that had to leave. She wanted to know about using TTouch on CH kitties. CH Kitties are those with Cerebral hyperplasia

PHGinger: GA means ready for the next question

PHAbymom: Linda, you had a question for the room?

LindaTTouch_nr: With TTouch you can very gently work over the entire body with cirles and lifts to help "remind the body of its potential for perfect functioning"

LindaTTouch_nr: Start where your kitty likes to be stroked or handled the most. It may be on the shoulders or ears. For any dysfunction of the body stroking the ears, on all species, can help the body recover.

twodogs_nr: My dog appears to be lacking in social skills. She also has vaccinosis. Which would be the best TTouches for me to use to help her curb her aggression towards other dogs?

LindaTTouch_nr: TTouches alone will not give a dog improved social skills. However, I would begin by working them at the same time in a labyrinth to get them focused.

twodogs_nr: OK, I have your book that explains the labyrinth. Anything else I can do?

LindaTTouch_nr: Mouth work on the outside of the lips and gentle circles on the gums, can help regulate emotions. I would add this to TTouches down the legs to ground the dogs, and help settle them.

LindaTTouch_nr: can you give me more info on the dogs? are there only two? are the siblings? Ages? GA

NYC_NYIfan: Can T-touch help a cat who is a "fear biter"? My Justin came to me with a lot of "baggage" from his previous humans and even though he's made a lot of progress, he is still very bitey.

twodogs_nr: I have two unrelated dogs. One is 11 years old, and the dog I'm asking about is almost 4. A homeopath told me she has vaccinosis and that is what is causing her aggression. She's not aggressive all the time, but I only let her play with dogs she has known for several years.

LindaTTouch_nr: Have you read my cat book and done the towel work? wrap a towel around the chest and over the back, being sure to keep the feet on the ground. And do gentle circles on the shoulders, and include the careful strokes on the lips. You can use a paint brush head, or even a feather to effect the biting . GA

NYC_NYIfan: Thanks

twodogs_nr: No, I haven't read the cat book. I have "Getting In TTouch With Your Dog

LindaTTouch_nr: I often find that older dogs who are aggressive - only at times- may be feeling stiffness, or pain in the body and be telling the other dog to leave her alone? GA

twodogs_nr: It's the almost 4 year old who's aggressive with other dogs, not the older dog.

LindaTTouch_nr: Actually I want to say more. When there is pain in the joints, it can be caused by the vaccinosis, gentle circles and lifts all over, and down the legs, so that you dog loves the attention, can help reduce pain levels. GA

twodogs_nr: She's been this way ever since adolescence, but she was never comfortable around other dogs - not even in puppy class!

LindaTTouch_nr: Iif she has always been like this, TTouch can give a new sense of confidence that will allow a dog to make better choices. And as you are doing, of course protect the other dogs, and her. GA

twodogs_nr: Thank you Linda! I'll start using your suggestions tomorrow!

LindaTTouch_nr: I just realized, if you don't know the work you dont know where to start. Find a place your dog loves. Try several of the ttouches. Sometimes the simple "Tarrantulas" from pelvis to head, can make a noticeable difference. GA

LindaTTouch_nr: Also, if you want further help, you can call my office at 1 800 854 8326 and we can give you someone who can talk you through some of the TTouches. GA

twodogs_nr: That would be great! Thank you for your help.

1freespirit_nr: I am from Michigan. I have the book and have used some of the techniques with good results, but would love to learn more about the T Touch. Are there any local classes or seminars planned for this area in the future? Where can I get more info on this? In the future I would like to volunteer to help socialize problem animals so they are ready to adopt. I would like to learn this more to be effective.

LindaTTouch_nr: Go to my website www.ttouch.com and look under practitioners to find someone in your area. If there is no one, call my office and you could organize a one day or 2 day workshop for a practitioner that is fairly close to you. GA

LindaTTouch_nr: Have you seen my dog video "Unleash Your Dogs Potential" the instructions are very clear and gives a great boost to your knowledge. GA

1freespirit_nr: Thank you. I was amazed on how effective it has been with what little I know now,

Boerboelmom: Will Tellington touch help with a dog who has a specific fear of a 'specific human' for no reason what so ever? if so how and what do I go about doing.. We have practiced some with wrapping bandaging around the entire body of a dog, in order to help it calm down, will this technique work the same? also is there anything that can be done to change or bring about semen count?

LindaTTouch_nr: Have you tried our simple body wrap that is described on my video and in "Getting in TTouch wirth Your dog"? Is the person the dog is afraid of be around him much? if it is a friend have the friend sit nearby and you ttouch him or her while the dog is watching. Then you TTouch your dog, and then have the person, if she or he is willing, do some light TTouch on the ears or shoulders and find something the dog likes. Another tip would be to work in the labyrinth with you on one side and the person on the other with a leash attached on the opposite side. You'll see it in the book. Of course, watch body language, have the person stay low, do not look directly at the dog, try "toning" or singing softly. GA

Boerboelmom: The person is my husband and the dog is my oldest male who was brought in as a rescue of sorts. My male wants to play with my husband, but is so completely unsure of him and my husband is a very tall and imposing man, (not intending to be)

LindaTTouch_nr: Regarding semen count? how old is the dog? how is his relationship with other dogs? how is he kept? alone? socialized with other dogs? we have had good luck increasing semen count by reducing stress and giving an animal confidence. TTouching all over the body, around the genitals Around the base of the ears (on the triple heater meridian ) and doing slow ear strokes for relaxation. I would like to hear more because we have had success with whelping and breeding issues. Go to our website and contact Wendy Fast and Frances Smith in NY . They are TTouch pracs and breeders with much experience. GA

LindaTTouch_nr: It makes it easier since it is your husband. Try my suggestions, and you are welcome to email me with your results and more questions. GA

Boerboelmom: He is 5 years now, and he lives and interacts with all of our other boerboels. They all live inside the house with us, he has only been here for just 1 year now. He is such a wonderful boy and other than my husband is a wonderful example of the breed .. it is heartbreaking to see him this way

LindaTTouch_nr: Do I see correctly that you are talking about a Boerboel? I have had considerable experience, and great success with this breed in south Africa.

Boerboelmom: I will email you privately so as not to take up any more time here .... thank you again!

LindaTTouch_nr: Send an email to info@ttouch.com and ask for the contact for the TTouch practitioner in south Africa who has had such a turnaround recently with her rescue. GA

fireladie: I have a 7 year old dachshund that benefits from canine massage, but was wondering if TTouch would be a better method? He has back problems being the breed he is, and that he is overweight caused by a medicine he is on. And any other advice is greatly appreciated!

LindaTTouch_nr: Massage is wonderful and TTouch has another goal. To not just relax but to actually take an animals beyond instinct so that they learn to make good choices. For a dachshund with back problems I suggest you try some gentle belly lifts with a doubled over ace wrap, and also a "halfwrap" around the body that gives support and makes him feel safe. GA

fireladie: Thank you!

brody2: Thank you for taking my question. I have done some TTouch but am not experienced though I have found it effective with the rescue work I have done with everything: birds, cats, orphans, pigs, goats - you get the picture! I am wondering what specific touches you would suggest for a young dog (7 mo bc mix) with digestive issues.(serious digestive issues- she's been on deaths door a number of times). my previous exposure to TTouch has been mainly for relaxation, shock and anxiety. Sally is quite a mellow puppy but has some pretty serious issues around digestion and I would like to be able to use every tool I can think of to help her

LindaTTouch_nr: Whether you can make a permanent difference in a case where the digestive system has not worked since birth is a question. However, you can make her more comfortable and with TTouch hold the image with each circle of "helping the cells to remember their potential for perfect functioning." Intension is proven to be very powerful and it can't hurt. Also I suggest the gentle belly lifts I wrote above, very gently TTouches all over the abdomen and the ear work. Besides doing TTouches all over the body to help activate the healing potential of the body. It gives you something to help so you don't feel so helpless also. GA

HuggingPurrheads: Last year my 12-year old cat suffered kidney failure and crashed. I knew the problem was an emergency when she would not let me pet her anymore. Is there a way to make cats like being petted again just to be more comfortable before they can get to the vet or while they are at the ER?Also would doing TTouch assist in calming the cat when it is eating, drinking, or on medications and in pain? (Unfortunately, Emily had no chance of recovery and had to be euthanized the next day.)

LindaTTouch_nr: In an emergency like that, doing ear strokes on the way to the vet can help keep any animal out of shock, or bring them out of shock, when the body is starting to shut down. GA

HuggingPurrheads: She was not eating, drinking, grooming, or playing.

LindaTTouch_nr: When the body is shutting down she may not want to be touched at all. But the ear strokes can often help. GA

brody2: I love the ear stroke - use it often for stress

HuggingPurrheads: What about before it reaches that point, can you get a cat to eat and drink that way?

LindaTTouch_nr: Before it gets to that point, we have brought significant numbers of cats "back to life" with the ear strokes. Cats who were on their way to be euthanized by the vet, but had such a turn around that they recovered. Ear strokes can work like magic for pain relief and activation of the immune system. GA

cannonbawlfranci: Hi, is there any t touch that will help with medicating a cat , specifically

LindaTTouch_nr: Starting by wrapping them around the chest in towel, practicing the mouth TTouches when you don't want to medicate can make a huge difference, and TTouches all over the body relieve stress and make a cat more cooperative!!! good luck, it can work. GA

fireladie: I have a cat recently developed a behavior of urinating on my clothing when I am not looking... I have looked into all the possibilities (with a vet visit scheduled to rule out medical problems) Is there any way I can use TTouch to address this behavior?

LindaTTouch_nr: Is this something that just started? checking with your vet as you are doing would be my first suggestion. If there is nothing medically wrong, it could also be caused by a change in your life. Have you a new relationship? changed jobs and be home less? I have had cats who were clear about punishing me when I was away for a while. I had great success by talking to female cat (when this was once the problem) and explaining clearly why I had to be away, and then staying in communication from a distance while I was gone. Talk the your cat about this and make it clear it is not OK and you still love her. GA

fireladie: lol

fireladie: So, actually talk to her?

LindaTTouch_nr: Yes, actually talk to her. By talking softly and explaining clearly, it helps make pictures your cat can understand. Keep your voice low and a little slow, and be clear and focused. Much love to your kitty from me!! GA

santoney: Linda, this is kind of an offbeat question, but I have a cat whose "rear-end" I have to help wipe because she is old and doesn't groom back there like she should? She freaks out when I try to help her back there. Any suggestions? She doesn't even like her back touched back there for brushing, etc. so I do not sure if I could perform any TTouch on her at all. She is otherwise a mellow cat. GA

LindaTTouch_nr: If she is touchy on the back, start doing very gentle "Lying Leopardttouches" on the part of the body she enjoys. Try it in the towel showed in my GGetting in TTouch with Your Cat book or on the video. Hair slides are often great also. Your cat can very possibly become flexible enough to clean herself if you are patient and thorough with your TTouch sessions. Remember, it has do be done in such a way that she begins loving the attention., At the very least then, she will accept your help. Keep your breathing calm when you clean, and learn to relax while you do it. Easy to say, yes???!!GA

PHAbymom: On behalf of Pethobbyist.com, Jeff B, and myself, I want to take a moment to thank Linda Tellington Jones for being part of our chat week. Linda, thanks for taking the time out to chat with us on your T-Touch Therapy!

santoney: Thanks Linda.

HuggingPurrheads: I needed that so much Linda. That was great.

fireladie: thanks a lot Linda. Lots of wishes for continued success

PHAbymom: Thank you to all of you for coming tonite!

PHKeeper: Thanks Linda learned something new tonight

LindaTTouch_nr: Thank you all for having me. just remember to hold the image of the perfection of each being, and you can help activate the healing potential of body, mind and soul. Our animals are such lovely teachers. Aloha linda