TTouch training is a training method used on canines and horses. It uses touch and movement to help change animal behavior. It’s something I’d never heard of before until I came across a question about it in the forums.
We have an anxious but amazingly sweet rescue dog. We just started private training sessions with a great dog trainer, and she is recommending we also attend a workshop to learn how to do TTouch on our girl. I have to admit it sounds like it could be a great addition to our training, but it’s not exactly cheap to attend (nor is private training!), so I’d love to hear from anyone who has learned to use this modality on their dog, and whether or not it was helpful! Thanks!
So that’s the question. I read this, and I thought, “What is this mysterious training method? Why have I never heard of it? Why is it so pricey?” So I decided to look into it. Let’s all take a gander at this training method.
Related: The Great Clicker Training Debate: How Does it Really Work?
TTouch – What Is It?
TTouch is a training method based on circular movements of the fingers and hands all across your pet’s body. According to the website, this method is used to “activate the function of the cells and awaken cellular intelligence.” This circular touching is done across the dog’s entire body, with each motion complete in and of itself.
It was developed by Linda Tellington-Jones, an internationally recognized animal expert, and it focuses on cooperation and a positive approach to training. According to the TTouch website, it can help improve an animal’s health and provide solutions for many common behavioral and physical problems.
Using specific touches, lifts, and movement exercises, TTouch is purported to help release tension and “increase body awareness,” allowing the animal to be handled without stress and learn better behaviors in a more relaxed environment. The site even claims that this approach can help speed healing from illness or injury.
TTouch – New Age for Pets?
You’ll notice that I use words like “claim” and “purports,” and that I also used quotes in certain areas when referring to what this program is supposed to be able to do. That’s because I’m only giving you the information I found. I have no personal experience with this method, and after working at a vet for seven years, it’s been my experience that you should never buy into any claims without doing adequate research.
Is the TTouch training system effective? Can it do everything the site claims it can? I don’t know. I do know that the website uses language that feels very new agey and pitchy to me. You’d have to check out the TTouch system for yourself to make your own determination. One thing I’ll say is that I get nervous whenever I read anything about a method or product which claims to help speed healing. I have seen too many “home remedy” situations from the vet that turned out poorly.
So, in closing. I’m not too sure about TTouch. I probably won’t use it, but I would be interested to hear any experiences that other people may have had in it. If you’ve used TTouch, please tell me about it!
