This document discusses building a healthy "bank account" for animals through positive experiences and interactions. It describes how genetics, early experiences, and past treatment form an animal's "opening balance", and how current caregivers can make "deposits" through gentle handling, praise, play, and ensuring physical and emotional well-being, or "withdrawals" through negative experiences like rough handling or stress. It stresses making regular small deposits to improve an animal's confidence and temperament over time through consistency, patience and trust-building.

1. BANK ON IT
Building a healthy ‘bank’ account for our
animal friends
Photographs copyright Bob Atkins, David and Charles Publishing Ltd,
Sarah Fisher, Chirag Patel and E. Evans.

2. Accountability
• Every animal comes with their own ‘bank’
account
• We cannot change an animal’s past but we
can shape his/her future if we make wise
investments whilst he/she is in our care
• A well managed account helps to provide
stability and security in an ever-changing
world

3. Opening balance
• Genetics, physical health and early
experiences (or lack of them) form the basis of
that account
• Some animals may have good investments in
place
• Others may have few reserves on which to
draw

5. Healthy account
• Animal has natural confidence
• Is physically sound
• Early ‘managers’ took time to make regular
deposits in the animals account
• Other ‘advisors’ were mindful of the impact of
their interactions
• Guardians invested in ongoing rewarding
education and care

7. Overdraft or empty account
• Think about animals that might be labelled as
‘red zone’ animals
• Their bank account may be desperately
overdrawn
• Many frequent deposits must be made if there
is any hope of turning this deficit around

8. Deposits
• Deposits in an animal’s account are made
from positive experiences
• A yummy treat or an appropriate game
• Verbal praise
• Gentle handling
• Physical, mental and emotional wellbeing
• Rewarding education and positive interactions

12. Withdrawals
• Withdrawals are made from negative
experiences
• Forceful handling
• Poor health such as hip dysplasia
• Tension in the body that creates touch
sensitivity
• Frustration and stress
• Inappropriate husbandry

14. Current accounts
• Every time we interact with an animal there is
potential for a deposit or withdrawal to be
made
• We may not know much about the banking
history of the animal in our care
• Reading the ‘balance sheet’ can give us
valuable insights into existing reserves

18. Standing orders/direct debits
• Regular visits to the vet for health checks
• Chronic pain
• Niggling injuries that flare up from time to
time
• Poor posture
• Lack of sleep

21. Potential withdrawals
• Pulling on lead
• Patting, and ruffling the ears or coat
• Games that have a detrimental impact on the
body or inadvertently frighten the animal
• Ill fitting equipment that impedes the natural
movement of the animal
• Slippery floors
• Constant noise

27. Interest
• Every deposit or withdrawal has the ability to
gain interest
• Interest can be a bonus that will increase the
overall value of deposits made
• Interest can also be applied to any on-going
withdrawals that occur
• The greater the combined value of deposits or
withdrawals, the greater the interest accrued

28. Considerations
• Are human led activities an opportunity for
multiple deposits to be made?
• Is the dog relaxed enough when on a walk to
top up his/her own account by taking in all the
wonderful sights and smells in the big wide
world?
• Does the cat truly enjoy the games we
encourage him/her to play?

31. Transfers and security codes
• Making deposits in one environment doesn’t
mean they can be automatically accessed in
another
• You may need to spend time helping the
animal remember his/her security code or
build his/her trust to help him/her feel safe
enough to share his/her savings with you

32. Redress the balance
• Prepare for health checks by making multiple
deposits before and after the event
• Do your best to use equipment that improves
rather than restricts natural movement
• Try stroking the lead to reduce tension on the
line and change habitual patterns of bracing
• Use Tellington TTouch body work to calm and
relax the animal

41. Super savings
• Clean fresh water available for animals when
any learning is taking place
• Opportunities for animals to use their nose
• Adapting the environment to suit the animal
as best you can
• Slow, calm movements around kennel/cattery
• Mindful contact that helps develop trust

45. The Bucket Game
Devised by Chirag Patel
www.domesticatedmanners.com

46. Account reviews
• Avoid rushing when making deposits
• The transaction may go astray
• Remember to check the balance sheet from
time to time
• Give the animal plenty of breaks so he/she can
process the payments too

47. Build the Trust
• Sustainable financial growth takes time
• Achievable targets, consistency and patience
are the keys
• An accumulation of deposits helps to build a
reliable Trust Fund
• This provides security for the animal where
ever he/she goes

50. Positive change
• Make a little ‘banking’ book for the animals in
your care
• Create deposit slips to encourage your
supporters to ‘bank’ with you
• Build slowly and remember to take care of the
pennies
• The pounds will take care of themselves

51. Happy ‘Banking’
www.ttouch.co.uk