The Tellington TTouch®

method

Would you like to better support your animal’s overall performance, self confidence using the Tellington TTouch® Method?

The Tellington TTouch® Method, introduced over 50 years ago, is a training method which covers the relationships between humans and animals and developed a completely new attitude towards understanding and training. It originated with Linda Tellington-Jones, a respected trainer, teacher and author.

Dispensing with the habitual combination of force and fear to get animals to do our bidding, the Tellington TTouch®method changed the perspective completely. Tellington-Jones recognised that pain or fear of pain inhibits learning and that behaviour is a means of communication rather than an expression of attitude.

The nervous system can learn much more through non-habitual movement rather than simple repetition. Over and over again, thanks to this Method, we have seen the power of the connection between physical and mental balance so the TTouch creed has duly become “Change the posture, Change the behaviour”. It is therefore logical that all Tellington TTouch® exercises start with changing posture and mindfulness as a means to affect behaviour and co-operation for the better.    

TTouch combines a number of varied applications in pursuit of the best conditions for animals to fulfil their full potential. There is no pressure to create behaviour as TTouch makes the learning steps small and easy for the animals to understand what we want. It uses close observation, bodywork, exercises and specialised equipment to improve physical and mental balance which in turn leads to improved communication and harmony. 

The specific approach of the Tellington TTouch® Method does not exclude the use of other programmes and the main TTouch philosophy of mindfulness and respect can be integrated into current methods being used. It enables dogs to benefit from whatever aspects of either help them most. 

 Building a true partnership between handler and animal depends on enhancing mutual trust and co-operation rather than handler domination. Instilling this self-confidence and self-control is key to enabling animals to adapt to any situation even for the first time, rather than only learning to respond to particular cues and being helpless without them.

We can all profit from expanding our often-set ways of thinking and the Tellington TTouch® Method can help with this both in general terms and your work with any animals or people.  To discover more about what this method can do for yourself you can attend one of our world-class workshops or investigate in your own time at home with some of our books that are offered on this site.

The Tellington TTouch® method is recognised worldwide as a hugely beneficial and gentle training regime and is recommended by countless veterinary surgeons, trainers, veterinary physiotherapists, competitors in equine and canine sports and rescue workers as well as thousands of animal owners. 

What we offer at Xtra Dog® Training:

Talks, demonstrations and workshops for dogs – in-person and Livestream

  • 1-2-1 sessions to help you with your dog in the East Midlands
  • Practitioner Training Programmes for Dogs
  • Books, DVDs and equipment