What if you never had to show your animal “who’s boss” or “be the Alpha”to achieve communication and harmony?  Do you want cooperation with your animal without domination or coersion?  Would you like to better support your animal’s overall health, performance and well-being?

 

For over forty years the Tellington TTouch Method has offered animal lovers and professionals alike; a positive, gentle and effective way to solve behavioural issues, enhance performance, and improve communication and relationships between humans and animals.  Look beyond behaviour and help your animal become their best selves though a series of unique bodywork, groundwork and functional exercises that helps create physical balance through good posture, relaxation and overall enhancement of trust.

 

This method has been used worldwide and is recommended by countless veterinarians, trainers, rescue societies, and Olympians, as well as thousands of animal owners.

 

What We Offer:

 

• Trainings for Companion Animals
• Trainings for Horses
• Practitioner Certification Programs for Horses and Companion Animals 
• Books, Videos and Equipment
• Email Newsletters & Webinars

 

If you are interested in attending a training, please check our schedule of Upcoming Events.

 

 

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  You can also look for a Practitioner in your area. If you would like to learn more about the Tellington TTouch Method, check out our selection of books and videos at the Online Store. We hope you enjoy your visit to the site and if you have any questions or suggestions, just let us know!

 

The Tellington TTouch is an innovated and complete system of understanding, handling, and influencing our animals, and ourselves.  Developed over four decades ago by Linda Tellington-Jones, TTouch has always been years ahead of its time. 

 

  This integrative approach understands behaviour as means of communication rather than attitude or personality.  Experience has taught us that beings cannot learn much if there is pain, fear, or fear of pain and that the nervous system can learn much more through non-habitual movement rather than simple repetition.  One of the method’s core principles is; Change the posture, Change the behaviour.   Time and time again we have seen the powerful connection between physical, mental, and emotional balance.  All Tellington TTouch exercises start with changing posture and mindfulness as a means to affect behaviour and cooperation.    

 

  TTouch combines observations and philosophy, bodywork, ground exercises, and equipment to help animals find physical, mental, and emotional balance, as a way of enhancing communication, cooperation, and harmony.  TTouch does not strictly fit into any traditional learning theory quadrant.  It does not use the escalation of pressure to create behaviour, nor does it rely solely on positive reinforcement, although it works well with Clicker training.  TTouch works to show animals what we want and make the steps as small and easy as possible to keep the learning process low-stress and logical.

 

One of the most versatile aspects about the Tellington TTouch Method is that it is not an “all or nothing approach”.  Our philosophy and attitude is just as meaningful as the specific approach and techniques.  Many people find that they can adapt their current program to include the mindfulness and respect that is paramount to the Tellington TTouch Method.  This can result in long lasting and effective results that builds your relationship with any animal you interact with.

 

 

  The aim is not to just train an animal a specific cue for obedience, the aim is to help animals learn, and begin to have the self-control to act instead of simply re-acting to stimuli.    Building this self-confidence and self-control means that an animal can adapt and adjust to a variety of situations and settings, even if they have not specifically been exposed to them prior.  We do not use flooding, or encourage “learned helplessness” in animals.  The role of the handler is not to be the  alpha or dominant one, but rather enhance mutual trust and cooperation for a true partnership.

 

   Whether you work with horses, dogs, other companion animals, or people, the Tellington TTouch Method will shift and expand your way of thinking in all areas of your life.  Discover what this method is really about for yourself; at one of our world-class workshops or at home with some of our many books and dvd’s.

 

 

 

The Tellington TTouch for Companion Animals (Dogs)

 

 

 

The Tellington TTouch Method is a unique approach to animal training and care developed by internationally known trainer, teacher, and author, Linda Tellington-Jones. Based on understanding and respect for our animal friends, this gentle method promotes well-being and adaptive behaviour through an integrated approach that helps to reduce stress and build confidence. TTouch is more than a form of bodywork, it is an entire way of training, handling, and understanding animals in a positive, non-threatening way.

 

This method is comprised of several different components. This method is comprised of several different components. Philosophy, Observation, Bodywork, Leashwork, and Equipment.

 

 

Attitude & Philosophy

 

One of the most important pieces that you will walk away with from a workshop is this tenant: “Change your mind, change your animal”.  That is; how much our perception and labels, affect how we deal with a specific animal or behavior.  We look at behavior as a means of communication rather than being the dog’s innate personality or attitude.   It is up to us to find the root cause of behavior, because there is always a reason!

 

The Tellington TTouch Method looks at the connection between physical, mental, and emotional balance and uses the variety of exercises to improve posture and balance, which helps an animal feel safer, so they can be more self-confident, achieving mental balance; when an animal is self-confident they have better self-control, emotional balance.  When an animal has better self-control, they can make better choices, acting rather than strictly reacting.  This means that the Tellington TTouch Method is not simply “training” a specific behavior, but actually providing the animal with the education to adapt, cooperatively to different situations.

 

Observation & Awareness

 

Sometimes combined with the heading, “Attitude & Philosophy”, observation has been a key piece to the Method since its inception.  As a way to understand behaviour, we use our powers of observation, visually and with our hands, to become “detectives” and work to understand underlying issues of behaviour from habitual patterns of tension and dysfunctional posture or limitations due to injury or loss of function.

 

  This piece is not meant to label or judge the animal, it simply provides feedback to what is being observed in that context, at that moment of time.  Observation is not limited to our animals, but is used for ourselves as well as a road to self-awareness.  

 

Bodywork

 

The foundation of the Tellington TTouch Method is a specific form of light circular touches and strokes known as TTouch®.

Mindful and gentle, this form of touch induces a state of relaxation and increased body awareness in animals and people alike.

The combination of the TTouch body work with unique movement exercises improves focus and attention, allowing optimal learning to take place.

 

By using a variety of other tools that also assist the animal to experience a sense of confidence in previously frightening or challenging situations, even the most difficult problems are often eliminated with just a few sessions. The Tellington Method also provides people with a wonderful means of deepening the bond they share with their animal companions.

 

Many techniques may resemble massage but the intention is not to directly manipulate the muscular-skeletal system.  TTouch works with the nervous system to change physical patterns at some of the deepest levels through gentle, non-habitual movement.  Many aspects of these techniques were inspired by the Feldenkrais Method.

 

Leashwork

 

Working on leash is one of the most important aspects of the Tellington TTouch work for dogs.  Mindful work on the leash enables an animal to override habitual patterns of posture and movement and to learn without fear or force. Helping a dog come more into balance on leash reduces reactivity, leash pulling, and many other “issues” without force. 

 

Many of the leashwork exercises are unique to the Tellington TTouch method and help create consistent, comfortable, loose-leash walking without corrections or distractions.

 

Changing postural patterns through movement helps retain the effectiveness of bodywork as well as change behavioural patterns associated with pain or tension.  Tellington TTouch exercises in the “Confidence Course”, using a variety of elements (including labyrinth, ground poles and surfaces) result in improved self-control, focus, self-confidence, cooperation, balance and coordination.

 

TTouch Tools

 

Many different pieces of equipment are used to help enhance an animal’s balance and overall body awareness.  These are used in exercises to support and encourage a functional posture and healthy way of going – without force or restraint.

 

One of these tools are “Body Wraps”.  Contrary to many people’s first thought, these are in no way restrictive or tight.  They do not force the body into any position, rather they remind the nervous system about where it is in space and seems to “reset” or at least reveal habitual patterns or tension and bracing.

 

 

What is covered in a TTouch Training for Companion Animals?

 

• Philosophy and principles of the Tellington Method, as developed by Linda Tellington-Jones.
• Physiology of stress and the relationship to behaviour.
• Observational skill building: posture, balance, conformation, gait, and interaction with the environment using objectivity.
• Skill building in the techniques of TTouch bodywork.
• Use of the TTouch Tools & Equipment.
• Skill building in the Tellington TTouch Method of leading and groundwork.
• Application of the Tellington TTouch Method to specific behavioural issues.  
• Strategies for successfully working with clients.

 

You can use the Tellington TTouch Method with many species, including cats, birds, small critters, and reptiles.

 

 

How Can The Tellington TTouch Method Help My Animal?

 

TTouch offers positive solutions to common behavioural and health-related issues, including; inappropriate aggression, car sickness, separation anxiety, excessive barking, chewing, jumping up and leash-pulling in dogs, resistance to grooming, nervousness, shyness, thunder phobia etc.

It compliments other types of training, especially positive reinforcement,  and can enhance performance in agility, showing, and other performance activities, improves general well-being and offers support of veterinary care.
In addition to all of the behavioural and physical benefits, TTouch also deepens the bond and understanding between people and animals.

 

 

Who Uses The Tellington TTouch Method?

 

The Tellington TTouch Method is used by many animal professionals. The list includes groomers, pet sitters, trainers, animal behaviourists, shelter and rescue workers, breeders, vets, vet technicians, and competitors in agility, obedience, tracking, and many more.

 

Tellington TTouch Practitioners work with individual clients and teach one or two day workshops.

Of course, anyone who shares their life with animals can use the Tellington Method!

 

Find a workshop now!

 

 

The Tellington TTouch for Horses

 

The Tellington TTouch Method for horses offers a training approach that encourages optimal performance and well-being. Based on the understanding that behavioural issues are often caused by pain, soreness, fear or tension in the body, TTouch addresses these underlying issues through a combination of Body Work, specific Ground Exercises, and Riding With Awareness along with an overarching respect and consideration for the horse.  

 

  Tellington TTouch goes beyond just what you do with your horse and how you do it; it changes how you believe in your horse, and understand them at a deeper level; beyond behaviour and labels.  This low-stress, logical method of dealing with horses seeks to take horses beyond the reflex of instinct, and educate horses how to think and act rather than re-act to stimuli. 

 

Attitude & Philosophy

 

  One of the most important pieces that you will walk away with from a workshop is this tenant: “Change your mind, change your animal”.  What is meant by this is how much our perception and labels affect how we deal with a specific animal or behavior.  We look at behavior as a means of communication rather than as the personality of a horse and work to find the root cause of behavior, because there is always a reason!

The Tellington TTouch Method looks at the connection between physical, mental, and emotional balance and uses the variety of exercises to improve posture and balance, which helps a horse feel safer, so they can be more self-confident, achieving mental balance; when an animal is self-confident they have better self-control, emotional balance.  When an animal has better self-control, they can make better choices, acting rather than strictly reacting.  This means that the Tellington TTouch Method is not simply “training” a horse to do a specific behavior, but actually providing them with the education to adapt, cooperatively to different situations.

 

 

Observation & Awareness

 

Sometimes combined with the heading, “Attitude & Philosophy”, observation has been a key piece to the Method since its inception. 

 

As a way to understand behaviour, we use our powers of observation, visually and with our hands, to become “detectives” and work to understand underlying issues of behaviour from habitual patterns of tension and dysfunctional posture or limitations due to injury or loss of function.

 

  This piece is not meant to label or judge the animal, it simply provides feedback to what is being observed in that context, at that moment of time.  Observation is not limited to our animals, but is used for ourselves as well as a road to self-awareness.  

 

 

Body Work

 

Tellington TTouch practitioners use a light touch exploration to find areas in a horse’s body that indicate tension, fear of contact, soreness or discomfort.

 

  Specific touches and movements known as TTouches are then applied to the horse’s body and can release muscle tension, ease discomfort, and improve posture which leads to better mobility and performance.

 

Many techniques may resemble massage but the intention is not to directly manipulate the muscular-skeletal system.  TTouch works with the nervous system to change physical patterns at some of the deepest levels through gentle, non-habitual movement.  Many aspects of these techniques were inspired by the Feldenkrais Method.

 

 Ground Exercises

Ground Exercises enable a horse to override habitual patterns of posture and movement and to learn without fear or force. 

 

Changing postural patterns through movement helps retain the effectiveness of bodywork as well as change behavioural patterns associated with pain or tension.  

 

Tellington TTouch exercises in the “Playground for Higher Learning”, using a variety of elements (including labyrinth, ground poles and plastic) results in improved self-control, focus, self-confidence, cooperation, balance and coordination. Moreover, many unique ways of leading a horse provide opportunities for both horse and rider to increase ability and coordination which can then be transferred to work under saddle.

 

  Tellington TTouch groundwork is not done quickly or with the idea that you will “tire a horse out”, “make the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard”, or “show the horse who’s boss”.  TTouch groundwork helps horses find coordination and balance, which enhances self-confidence and makes it easier for horses to do what we ask of them.  

 

 

Riding With Awareness

The Joy of Riding combines Linda’s more than 60 years of teaching classical riding and experience as a Feldenkrais practitioner. Riding with Awareness increases the comfort, performance and confidence of horse and rider by using unique tools and exercises to improve balance, posture, communication, and overall way of going. 

 

 

TTouch Equipment

 

Many different pieces of equipment are used to help enhance a horse’s balance and overall body awareness.  These different types of equipment are used for groundwork and riding exercises to support and encourage a functional posture and healthy way of going – without force or restraint.

 

One of these tools are our “Body Wraps”.  Contrary to many people’s first thought, these are in no way restrictive or tight.  They do not force the body into any position, rather they remind the nervous system about where it is in space and appear to “reset” or at least reveal habitual patterns of tension and bracing.

 

Learn about Tellington TTouch Body Wraps

 

 

Starting Young Horses

 

Combining the  components of the Tellington TTouch Method (Bodywork, Groundwork, and Riding with Awareness); we quietly educate young horses from their first interactions with people – to schooling under saddle in a way that encourages confidence, cooperation, and awareness without jeopardizing the safety of horse and handler. 

 

Each year our Starting Young Horse clinics take participants of all levels through the steps of safely and effectively teaching young horses to be ridden, in a low-stress and comprehensive way.

 

Horses often demonstrate marked improvement in athletic skills and increased willingness and ability to perform. Not only does the horse benefit, but also a deeper rapport grows between horse and rider because of better understanding and more effective communication.

 

 Who Uses Tellington TTouch for Horses?

 

The Tellington TTouch Method is used by many world renowned trainers and riders.         

                                The list includes:

Klaus Balkenhol – Olympic Dressage Rider

Frederic Pignon – Founder of Cavalia

Ann Kurskinski – US Show Jumper

Ingrid Klimke – Olympic 3 Day Event Rider

Becky Hart – World Champion Endurance Rider            

 

These are just  few of the many high caliber equestrians who have worked with Linda and appreciate the Tellington TTouch Method.

 

 

Of course, anyone who shares their life with animals can use the Tellington Method!

 

 

 

What is covered at a training for horses?

 

• Philosophy and principles of the Tellington Method, as developed by Linda Tellington-Jones.
• Physiology of stress and the relationship to behavior.
• Observational skill building: posture, balance, conformation, gait, and interaction with the environment using objectivity.
• Skill building in the techniques of TTouch bodywork.
• Use of the equipment.
• Skill building in the Tellington TTouch Method of leading and groundwork.
• Application of the Tellington TTouch Method to specific behavior issues.
• Skills, exercises, and equipment used in Riding with Awareness.
• Introduction to problem solving and investigating external factors attributing to low performance (i.e. saddle fit, dental issues, physical issues, handler error).

 

 

 

Find a Tellington TTouch Horse workshop Now!