Well it depends on the size of the plant, but not entirely, i wouldn't do it on a small seedling, but a small plant or clone at least a foot, does't have to be though. all you really have to do is pinch different parts of the stock or branch on different parts of the plant. Essentially what your doing is forcing the plant to create a knot, which will increase the size of the feeding tube after a few days and everything past the knot will burst into more branches because they can recieve more water and nutrient uptake, from the area of the knot, it will usually show results quickly. Just be careful not to snap the branch but if you do as long as it is still attached you can stake it for larger branches but sometimes your best bet is to make a small splint or even just something to lean it against depending on how bad it is. Do not worry though, it will recover and come back with a veageance. You can use fimming in conjunction with supercropping for awesome results. In the case that you may not have tried fimming, you just remove a small part of the leaves coming out from a new node, it slows down the growth of a new branch but doesn't permanently stop it and generally bring in 3 to 4 more new branches from the same branch area unlike topping which splits into 2. supercropping and fimming are great for bushy plants. Sorry wrote a book tho, but it was fun if you have any more questions hopefully i'll check back soon, or i'm sure someone would be glad to help. Sorry about your rippers, Usually animals are the biggest rippers. It sucks either way, But acceptance is sometimes the only way through it, You live you learn and you learn more, and more good luck