The Tellington TTouch Method in Dogs: How Does It Work?

The first thing that should come to mind when hearing "Tellington TTouch" is contact. Touch. This method is based on pressing certain parts of a dog's body, known to produce beneficial effects.

But what does this method actually involve? What are its effects, and which dogs can benefit from Tellington TTouch? Below, we explain the foundation of this technique and how it can help us with our dog.

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Key Aspects of the Tellington TTouch Method

Linda Tellington-Jones is the creator of the method bearing her name. Her work as an animal trainer led her to build close daily contact with them in different situations. This way, she discovered the link between the postures an animal could take and its behavior.

She noticed which body areas tensed up during less-than-ideal behaviors. Based on this connection, she developed and refined her method. Her initial premise was that, by discovering these areas and touching them through different "touches," it was possible to calm the stress the dog was experiencing at that moment.

This shift, and the relaxation it produced in the dog's attitude, let her modify its behavior without constantly needing to correct it. That said, Tellington TTouch requires carefully observing the animal to identify the areas it tenses. This method is mainly used in the United States and in some European countries like Germany.

Canine Training and the Tellington TTouch Method

Everyone willing to share their life with a dog needs to know, before adopting, that its training will be an essential task requiring dedicated time. The days of training a dog with punishment, hitting, rolled-up newspapers, or rubbing its nose in its own urine are behind us.

What's sought today, since it's known to work best and respect the dog's wellbeing most, is training focused on rewarding successes and ignoring failures. Tellington TTouch falls along these lines. It's based on the human-dog bond, on respect and trust. Never on dominance, fear, or submission.

The stimulation Tellington TTouch offers helps relax the animal, putting it in a mood better suited and more receptive to positive learning. On the other hand, tense dogs lose concentration ability and, on top of that, can react poorly, running off or even attacking.

A Technique for Reducing Stress in Dogs

Also, the Tellington TTouch method is associated with activating blood circulation, neural pathways, and hormone production whose function is to reduce stress. That's why this technique affects not just behavior, but also the dog's health. Physical and emotional balance go hand in hand.

A stress-free dog is much less likely to develop behaviors that make coexistence harder, and that tend to appear precisely in stressed dogs. For example, excessive nervousness, extreme excitement, fear, nonstop barking, socialization problems, avoiding contact, phobias, and so on.

In conclusion, we'll have a happier, more focused dog, more eager to "work" alongside us. These benefits aren't just seen in dogs — they're achieved in many other animals too.

Tellington TTouch Massage for Dogs

In practice, stimulating a dog's body is done through gentle circular movements clockwise, covering a small area. These are combined with equally gentle sliding and lifting movements.

Professionals can also decide to apply the technique to specific body parts, like the mouth, ears, or paws, depending on the intended effect. Each location will encourage different benefits.

Which Dogs Is Tellington TTouch Recommended For?

Having explained the method's basis and application, it's easy to get an idea of the type of dogs this technique can be recommended for, though it can be beneficial for all dogs. Tellington TTouch mainly focuses on:

• Dogs that refuse physical contact.
• Those showing fear or nervousness.
• Shy or overly hyperactive dogs.
• Dogs that are hypersensitive.
• Some handling issues, like leash pulling or destructiveness.
• Stiffness or, generally, mobility difficulties like those caused by arthritis.
• Separation anxiety.
• Persistent barking.

The Tellington TTouch Method Doesn't Cure

Lastly, we can't wrap up without mentioning that the veterinary field questions whether this method actually works, since it's considered to lack solid scientific evidence. It's clear massaging our dog will relax it and improve the bond. But, according to vets, studies confirming its benefits are lacking.

Also, a few years back, an infographic went viral showing how to wrap dogs in bandages that, supposedly, calmed their anxiety by pressing certain areas. It was based on the Tellington TTouch method and was recommended for especially stressful moments, like the very common fear of firecrackers.

Vets warned this idea could backfire, since the dog could become even more stressed feeling constricted. So, if you're interested in this technique, research it well, and either way, for health or behavioral problems, consult a vet or ethologist first.

Bibliography Tellington-Jones, Linda. 2014. The Tellington TTouch Method: How to Influence Your Dog's Behavior, Health, and Performance. Santiago de Compostela: KNS Ediciones.