Talk to the animals

How to solve your pets' problems by changing their posture

Anyone who has struggled with an aggressive puppy or a bewildered pet will know that looking after an animal is often harder than it looks.

Yet a revolutionary new technique could just provide the answer for stressed out pets from hamsters to horses.

In a new TV series, animal practitioner Sarah Fisher solves the behavioural problems of one animal after another with a technique called TTouch - a mixture of posture improvement, manipulation and increased rapport with the animal.

She is accompanied in the series by her coffee-loving actor partner Anthony Head, better known as Giles in Buffy The Vampire Slayer, who originally introduced her to the methods.

But what are they and how can it help deal with unruly animals?

The touch that teaches

TTouch was developed by American animal expert Linda Tellington-Jones after years of studying movement therapy.

Different techniques are used for different animals but all involve easing stress through talking to the affected pet and special massage to activate the function of the animal's cells.

"The main premise behind the technique is that by improving an animal's posture you can change its behaviour," explains Sarah.

The system claims to be useful in treating symptoms like:

• Aggressive behaviour
• Extreme fear and shyness
• Resistance to grooming
• Excitability and nervousness
• Car sickness
• Excessive barking and chewing
• Leash pulling
• Jumping up

While the methods have no direct scientific basis the results are often remarkable. Experts claim a 95% success rate in improving the behaviour of problem animals.

Tellington Touch (TTouch) - Deals with companion animals, like household pets but can be used on all animal species to promote well being and reduce stress.

Tellington Touch Equine Awareness Method (TTEAM) - Deals with resistance and problems in horses.  

You can find more information on the techniques and how to learn them yourself by clicking on the links to the right.

If you have a problem pet that could benefit from a session with Sarah Fisher, we'd like to hear from you. Email us by clicking the link to the left.

Talking to Animals is on ITV1, Sundays at 4.30pm.