Reconnecting With TTouch Part 3: Circulation Touches

by Kathy Garland on February 7, 2011

Photo by Kent Bele

This is part 3 in a series on Tellington Touch or TTouch. In part 1, we discussed what TTouch was and described some circular touches. In part 2 of this series, the Zigzag TTouch was demonstrated (thanks to my lovely demo dog, Teko).

In this article, I will explain two TTouches which promote circulation, Tarantula Pulling the Plow and Lick of the Cow’s Tongue. If you’re wondering where these quirky-sounding names came from, the founder of TTouch, Linda Tellington-Jones, chose animal sounding names to either describe the nature of the touch or the actual animal she first practiced it on. As she devised the touches, she found she needed names which could be easily remembered, instead of just ordinary names or numbers. For instance, the Clouded Leopard TTouch was inspired by a three-month-old leopard she worked with at the Los Angeles Zoo. The “cloud” part of the name refers to the lightness of the touch.

Tarantula Pulling the Plow

This is actually a variation of a traditional massage stroke called “skin rolling.” It’s a good touch to use for circulation (when a dog is recovering from an illness or surgery). The Tarantula TTouch is also useful for fearful dogs or dogs sensitive to touch.

How to Do: Place your hands side by side on your dog’s body. Walk you fingers (like a spider) in the direction of movement while dragging your thumbs behind like a plow. The thumbs can be lightly touching each other. The skin in front of the thumbs is gently rolled in this motion. While the index finger and middle fingers walk along the skin, neural impulses are activated. The skin may even quiver. Walk lines from the tail toward the head, along the shoulder and neck area, and throughout the hind area.

Here is a video demonstration:

Lick of the Cow’s Tongue

The Lick of the Cow’s Tongue TTouch also stimulates circulation. But, more importantly, it is a relaxing touch which enhances your dog’s awareness of his body in space, connecting one body area to the other.

How to Do: You can perform this touch gently across or against the direction of the hair. Like the Zigzag TTouch, this strokes is very easy to administer. With fingers relaxed and spread apart, gently move your hand from the hind area, along the back, to the shoulders and neck, and up the head. Alternate both sides of the spine. You can also start on the belly, up the sides and down the back. Always think about connecting different body areas. Practice light, fluid, and slow lines. Breathe deeply. (If it helps, imagine a cow leisurely licking her calf)

Watch the video demo of Lick of the Cow’s Tongue:

Practice these two touches on your dog today. Monitor his reaction. Does he stay and enjoy the touch? Does he move away? Practice when the both of you are relaxing on the couch. Experiment with location and situation. What are your results?