Canine Touch

with Raian Kaiser
Senior Instructor of Canine Touch©

The Canine Touch© was developed, researched and choreographed by MVDr. Ivana Ruddock as a result of being influenced by the bodywork principles pioneered by her husband Jock Ruddock.

The moves and procedures while appearing similar in some ways to those set out for horses differ to a recognizable degree in practice taking in the uniqueness of the predator as opposed to the horse or other prey animal.

The dog for instance does not have the ‘fly swatter’ reaction that is evident in the equine. It does not have the muscle mass resistance that is evident in the human and equine client as well as many other automatic symptoms, reflexes, responses and behavioral identity traits that humans and equines respectively exhibit.

The emotional aspect of the dog as an individual must be taken into consideration and this can alter from breed to breed. Each dog has its own genetic character established as a broad base prior to developing its own ‘caninality’.

The unwritten owner influence also must be taken into consideration at all times especially in the cases where it may be considered that emotional problems are the source of the problem.

The moves and procedures illustrated in the instruction manual cover the general body balancing of the dog as well as ‘area of concern’ procedures.

The Canine Touch© is a non diagnostic discipline and should be applied with no other governing factor than observation of the dog’s discomfort as a guide.

Practice has shown that at the first session dogs may walk away from the practitioner mid–session, however the experience gained over the years has shown also that once the dog adjusts and accepts the program they very often return for, and sometimes even demand, regular Canine Touch© tune ups.

In legal definition the Canine Touch© is a non diagnostic, non invasive, gentle hands-on discipline that works at a complete holistic level, in that it addresses the dog as a whole without any particular focus on any individual problematic areas of the body. Applied as a holistic address, the Canine Touch has a profound effect upon the canine from the cellular to the whole, inducing relaxation and balance with the purpose of assisting the dog to reach the ideal state of homeostasis.

While in homeostasis, the dog’s innate healing ability is able to work at its maximum. In this ideal state the flow of Ki is encouraged, stress reduced and the relaxed animal is able to address problems at various levels.

Canine Touch V.S. Tellington Touch

A question for Raian from a potential student:

"I would be interested in learning how this is similar or different to Tellington Touch."

They are very similar in philosophy. Jock and Ivana Ruddock, the founders of Equine and Canine Touch (and VHT, the human form), agree with Linda Tellington-Jones that every animal is an individual, and the approach we take to help them can be adjusted to the needs of the animal. Both are alike in that they are gentle, non-invasive, bring awareness to the body, and are easy and safe to do for us:  when done well they involve a whole-body way of moving and interacting with the animals. The focus on breathing, balance, and being in harmony with the animals was very familiar to me when I began to learn the Ruddocks' system, after having done TTEAM for more than 20 years.

Doing TTouch and CT are as therapeutic to us as to the animals we work with. Both methods release tension, relax and balance the body, and improve the human-animal bond. I have had both Jock and Ivana and Linda T-J work on me, and both methods are equally profound.

The methods differ in intent. TTouch is aimed at the cells and nervous system, and when done by an experienced person can bring about the enlightened mind state. Canine Touch is much more anatomically focused (working directly on muscles, tendons, and ligaments), and brings a deep  processing and internal focus to the animals which you won't see with TTouch.

Canine Touch is more choreographed than TTouch : each Canine Touch procedure has a scripted order of moves. I have heard Linda T-J state that TTouch is not energy work. Canine Touch is-- many of the CT moves are done on or along meridian lines and acupressure points. Though a knowledge of anatomy is not needed to learn and practice either TTouch or CT, you'll find that as you learn more about anatomy in the CT courses you can become more effective and focused in the TTouch work you do.

There are many TTouches. There is only one Canine Touch Move: learning to do that Move well, and where and in what order it is most effective, is what is covered in the course.

Thanks, please let me know if you have questions (about either modality!)

Raian Kaiser
Equine Touch International Instructor
Canine Touch International Instructor
TTEAM Practitioner III
TTACT Practitioner

7 Acres Horse Training & Clinics
Riding to Lightness Horsemanship
www.raian7acres.com