Q. What is TTouch?
TTouch is a method of working
with animals that was developed by Linda Tellington-Jones as a result of her experience of
training to be a Feldenkrais practitioner. As an experienced horsewoman she realised that
some of the rehabilitation exercises linking body and mind that were used with people in
the Feldenkrais technique could be used to help animals too. She found that an animal's
posture influences its behaviour and that physical, mental and emotional balance are
inextricably linked. The combination of TTouch ground exercises and bodywork improves
concentration, co-ordination and athletic ability in many animals and is used widely
around the world by trainers, pet owners and veterinarians. Click on the following links
for a fuller explanation:
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Q. What Makes TTouch Different - and
isn't stroking my dog going to get him to calm down anyhow?
There are many overlaps in a wide variety of
techniques and it is great that so many people are now recognising the benefits of
bodywork for animals in whatever guise for inducing calm and releasing tension. Whether
you are working with a canine, feline or equine touch can be a very valuable tool.
The Tellington TTouch started as a training
technique for horses and Linda recognised a link between posture, behaviour and
performance over 30 years ago. As she was working with the light skin movements (this is
where it differs from the majority of massage techniques as we are not working purely with
muscle) she noticed that the 'problem' horses that she was working with were not only more
consistent in their performance but also became easier to handle in their day to day life.
Unwanted behaviours such as bucking, biting, napping, bolting diminished without the need
to 'train' each behaviour out of the horse. When these techniques were then applied to
other animals including dogs, the same results were noted albeit on a clinical and not a
scientific level.
The groundwork exercises improve co-ordination
and self-carriage and are an excellent way of starting to work with animals that are
fearful of contact on their body. The ground work helps the dogs to settle quicker and are
an excellent way of improving focus and giving the dog much needed physical and mental
stimulation without increasing hyperactivity and over excitement.
TTouch is not just about the bodywork or the
groundwork however. It is a way of looking at the animal as a whole and we take into
account the environment, the diet and so on. The reality is however that even when these
other factors cannot be changed such as in a shelter the effect of this unique training
approach is just extra ordinary and the dogs are being stroked by the staff and volunteers
already.
One aim is to improve co-ordination, which
increases levels of confidence, and to improve physical balance which influences mental
and emotional balance. These correlation's are understood by many working in the human
field and from my own experience can say that the same does apply to our animal
companions. More importantly perhaps, it also brings awareness to the owners of their own
influence upon that animal. If a person is out of balance when walking a dog on the lead
for example, that person is more likely to set up bracing in the dog and it takes two to
maintain the pull. The way we approach, handle and interact with any animal will have a
direct influence on his behaviour and ability to learn.
The beauty of TTouch is that it enables people
to understand their dogs on a whole new level. It increases awareness of what actually may
be going on for that animal in terms of posture and how his posture affects his behaviour,
his responses to stimulus and his fears and concerns. It removes many of the labels so
readily and often incorrectly applied to dogs and uses a variety of tools including
harnesses, body wraps, and different ways of leading in order to help that dog to learn in
a calm and focused way. When Ear Work was done on horses that were wearing heart monitors,
it clearly showed that the gentle slides on the ear actually lowered heart rate and
respiration thus reducing stress and enabling the horse to move out of the Flight Fight
reflex. This is why it can be so valuable for animals that are going into shock. When an
animal is in the Flight/Fight reflex it cannot learn. Neither can we.
I have a wide variety of canine clients and
teach workshops in shelters, service dog training centres and for working dogs. The staff
enjoy learning specific skills which provides a consistency for the dogs whether they are
going on to new homes, coming into the kennels and or being handled by a variety of
trainers/handlers and many vets, veterinary nurses, physiotherapists, shelter workers,
trainers, behaviour counsellors dog owners and lovers world-wide enjoy the benefit that
TTouch brings to the animals in their care.
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Q. What does TTEAM stand
for?
TTEAM stands for Tellington
TTouch Equine Awareness Method. It is a training system for horses that incorporates body work, ground, and riding
exercises to help improve co-ordination, balance, and athletic ability whilst deepening
further understanding between the horse and its carer. For more information go to the 'TTEAM' page of this website.
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Q. What does TTACT stand
for?
TTACT stands for Tellington
TTouch Animal Companion Training. The method offers a
positive approach to the care and training of animal companions, and is based on co-operation and respect for animals. The technique
promotes optimal health and behaviour by eliminating fear and reactive responses using a
combination of specific touches, lifts, and movement exercises.
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Q. Is TTouch of Value for Aggression?
Yes! Please click here for an article on TTouch and Aggression by Sarah Fisher
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Q. How can I find a TTEAM
or TTACT Practitioner in my area?
There are TTouch Practitioners
in most areas of the UK. To find a Practitioner in your area, go to either of the
following links, Companion
Animal Practitioners or Horse Practitioners for
a complete listing with telephone numbers, addresses and a regional map.
For Practitioners in Ireland
please visit our TTouch Ireland website here.
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Q. How do I become a TTouch or TTEAM Practitioner?
There are professional
certification programs for both TTACT (companion animals) and TTEAM (horses). The TTACT
program is a two year course consisting of four training sessions per year, each lasting
five to seven days. This program is for people who want to work professionally with dogs,
cats, and other companion animals using the TTouch techniques. In this training system,
participants will learn the skills needed to become a Certified TTouch Practitioner.
Linda Tellington-Jones and
Robyn Hood head the teaching staff and are joined by other qualified instructors. Training
session locations vary throughout the country, but always include opportunities to work
with shelter animals, as well as private clients. New courses begin with an introductory
week long session, and there is no obligation to continue with the full course. This gives
individuals an opportunity to experience the work prior to making a decision to enrol for
the two year program.
Full details on what the
courses entail can be found on the Equine Practitioner
Training Course Details page and the Companion Animal
Practitioner Training Course Details page of this website.
TTEAM Trainings are held
throughout the year over 5 or 6 days, at Tilley Farm. TTEAM (Equine) Practitioner Training
clinics form part of the on-going Practitioner Training Programmes. New Participants are
very welcome. If you wish to participate, please download the Order Form from the website
by clicking here, or you may contact Sarah Fisher at:
Tel: 01761 471182
Fax: 01761 479082
E-mail: Sarah Fisher
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Q. How do I find out about
TTEAM and TTACT courses?
Information about courses held
at Tilley Farm is available from this website - click here for Equine courses and Here for Companion Animals. For courses around the UK click here for Horse
courses and here
for Companion Animal courses.
Subscribing to the TTouch UK
Online Mailing List is also a good way to keep informed. Information on the mailing list
can be found by clicking here.
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Q. What is a Client Day?
As part of our Practitioner Training Clinic we
invite members of the public to bring a dog to a Client Morning. This gives our
Practitioners valuable experience in working with client dogs whilst overseen by the
Instructor and qualified assistants. Practitioners in training eligible to work with dogs
on Client Days have already attended a minimum of two, six day trainings. The sessions
usually last around an hour to an hour and a half and we ask that the 'client' joins the
group after the session to give us feedback on the session. We charge a nominal fee of
£10.00 for each dog who attends the client morning giving you a highly cost effective way
of learning how TTouch can be of help to your dog.
To book your dog in for a session please
download the Client Day booking form from the application form page
and send it in to our office.
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Q.How do I get to Tilley
Farm to attend a course?
Please refer to the 'Directions' Page of this website, for various
routes to Tilley Farm.
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Q.How
do I subscribe to the free TTouch UK Online Mailing List?
The free TTouch UK Online Mailing List is
available by email. Please go to the Online Mailing List section
of this website for full details on how to sign up.
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Q.Does
TTouch Only Work on Cats, Dogs and Horses?
No, TTouch is a useful tool for all animal
species. To read about TTouch being applied to various other animals, go to the TTouch for
Wildlife and Reptiles Article page.
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Q.If
I attend a 5 or 6 day course, where would I stay?
There are various types of accommodation
available close to Tilley Farm. A list is available on the accommodation
page of this website.
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Q.What
first book should I read on TTouch and TTEAM?
'The Tellington TTouch' by Linda Tellington
Jones and Sybil Taylor would be a good first general book. It is available from Linda
Tellington-Jones' website or Amazon UK.
For TTEAM please refer to Sarah Fisher's book
"Know Your Horse Inside Out", which is available to order from the Online Shop by clicking HERE.
For Dogs, Sarah's books 'Unlock Your Dog's
Potential', '100 Ways to Train the Perfect Dog' and '100 Ways to Solve Your Dog's
Problems' are available to order from the Online Shop by
clicking HERE.
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