Learn More About Tellington TTouch & Positive Reinforcement Training

 Getting Started

This guide may be of particular interest to pet owners and caretakers who want to strengthen their bond with their animals. Information comparing positive reinforcement to aversive training is presented, along with details about how TTouch may increase confidence and assist with physical, mental, and emotional discomfort. Other materials reinforce the use of positive training methods, how animal behavior affects training and relationships, and an understanding of the human-animal bond.

Primary Definitions

Tellington TTouch - A specialized approach to the care and training of companion animals, horses, and exotic animals.

Positive Reinforcement Training - Uses a reward to "mark" desired behaviors. The reward makes the recipient more likely to repeat the behavior. Positive reinforcement is one of the most powerful tools for shaping or changing behavior.

Aversive Conditioning - A learning process in which an organism's behavior becomes dependent on the occurrence of a stimulus in its environment, such as linking an unpleasant stimulus with the performance of undesirable behavior (Farlex, n.d.).

Introduction

Tellington TTouch and other positive reinforcement training methods are used to modify behavior. Behavior modifications are psychological methods for treating and changing observable behavior patterns (Funk & Wagnalls, n.d.).

Popular Keywords & Subjects

  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Animal Training
  • Dog Training
  • Pet Training
  • Cat Training
  • Animal Behavior
  • Dog Nonfiction
  • Animal Science
  • Dog Behavior
  • Operant Behavior
  • Human-Animal Relationships
  • Animals - Psychological Aspects

Shelf Locations

Find titles on library shelves using these Dewey Decimal Classification numbers:

179 - Other ethical norms

423 - Dictionaries of standard English

590s - Animals

613 - Personal health and safety

615 - Animals

636 - Animal husbandry


Reference Sources

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition. Boston, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, c2011. Nicoma Park Library. Adult Non-Fiction. 423. Definition of operant conditioning. Includes current details from behaviorists. Subject: Operant behavior.

The Complete Dog Breed Book, Dr. Kim Dennis-Bryan, ed. London, DK Publishing, c2014. Nicoma Park Library. Adult Non-Fiction. 636.71. More than 420 dog breeds described, including breed-specific care and temperaments. Information for potential dog owners to determine which breeds may be best for their families and lifestyles. Subjects: Dogs, dog nonfiction.

Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds, 3rd Edition, by D. Caroline Coile, PhD. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational Series, c2015. Nicoma Park Library. Adult Non-Fiction. 636.71. Breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Includes information for potential dog owners about breed characteristics, physical attributes, health and diseases, diet, and grooming requirements. May help potential owners choose which breeds are best for their families and lifestyles. Subjects: Dogs, dog nonfiction.

The Total Cat Manual, by David Meyer. San Francisco, Weldon Owen, Inc., c2016. Nicoma Park Library. Adult Non-Fiction. 636.80. Information compiled by Adopt-a-Pet.com and specializing in the behaviors and training of adopted and homeless cats when brought into new families. Subjects: Cat training, cats.


Books

These are a few of the titles available on the shelves at Metropolitan Library of Oklahoma County locations. Please refer to the recommended keywords and subject headings to find additional books and eBooks.

Awareness Through Movement: Easy-To-Do Health Exercises to Improve Your Posture, Vision, Imagination, and Personal Awareness, by Moshe Feldenkrais, c1990. 613.7. The Feldenkrais Method is the basis for Tellington TTouch, experienced by Linda Tellington-Jones and originally adopted for her training of horses. Feldenkrais teaches awareness of the body in space and how to move most efficiently and effectively.




From Fearful to Fear Free, by Dr. Marty Becker, c2018. 636.70. A world-renowned veterinarian and force-free advocate, Dr. Becker originally introduced the Fear Free program for use by veterinary healthcare professionals. This book brings his knowledge to pet owners, with techniques to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress.





Getting in TTouch with Your Dog: A Gentle Approach to Influencing Behavior, Health & Performance, by Linda Tellington-Jones, c2001. 636.70; eBook. Discusses the basics of the TTouch Methodology, as well as the research and experience behind the development of TTouch in the 1980s. This book includes instructions on touches, the use of wraps, and ground work.




Getting in TTouch with Your Puppy: A Gentle Approach to Training and Influencing Behavior, by Linda Tellington-Jones, c2007. 636.70. Starting early with the TTouch process can help ensure a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted adult dog. The exercises in this book are designed to help puppies feel comfortable in their surroundings and be more confident as they grow. The exercises, including touch, can improve both physical and mental health and create a close bond between puppy and its people.



The Power of Positive Dog Training, by Pat Miller, c2008. 636.70. Miller's credo is "training dogs through encouragement, not punishment. This book gives specific guidance on working with dogs to create wanted behaviors and extinguishing unwanted behaviors.



Train Your Dog Positively: Understand Your Dog and Solve Common Behavior Problems Including Separation Anxiety, Excessive Barking, Aggression, Housetraining, Leash Pulling, and More!, by Victoria Stilwell, c2013. 636.70. Stilwell is well-known for her assistance in rescuing dogs from bad living situations and working with police and animal enforcement departments, as well as her Animal Planet television show "It's Me or the Dog." This book is based on the information shared on her television show as well as her academy for dog trainers.




Databases

The following databases may help find additional information on these areas of study:

Academic Search Premier was used to search through articles from 1993 to the present. Sixty-three full-text articles, written in or translated into English, were found relating to the following subjects - positive dog training, dog behavior, human-animal relationships, animal training. http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.metrolibrary.org/ehost/search/advanced?vid=0&sid=71c24627-a3b8-4c02-80ee-2477adca2a62%40sessionmgr103

WorldCat/FirstSearch is a catalog of books and other materials held in libraries around the world. This resource is useful for items written or presented by the late Dr. Sophia Yin, a veterinarian and animal behaviorist. Several of these items could not be found via other sources. More than 400 items authored by or about Linda Tellington-Jones and her Tellington TTouch method are available in multiple languages. https://firstsearch-oclc-org.ezproxy.metrolibrary.org/WebZ/FSPrefs?entityjsdetect=:javascript=true:screensize=large:sessionid=fsap04pxm1-1680-ko7u2ms6-xrnu6i:entitypagenum=1:0


Journals

Pavia, A. (2003). Helping Hands. Dog World, 88(2), 48. A concise explanation of the use of TTouch with companion animals, especially dogs.

Sanders, L., & Guernsey, D. (1995). The Power of Touch. Town & Country, 15(5206), 113. A brief description of Tellington TTouch written for the average reader with no knowledge of animal behavior or training.

Tellington-Jones, L. (2010). The Power of Touch. HorseLink, 12–13. Tellington TTouch began with horses. This brief article explains how touch can help to heal and counteract negative behaviors.

Viera de Castro, A. C., Fuchs, D., Morello, G. M., Pastur, S., deSousa, L., & Olsson, I. A. S. (2020). Does Training Matter? Evidence for the Negative Impact of Aversive-Based Methods on Companion Dog Welfare. PLos ONE, 15(12), 1–26. Evidence of the advantages of positive reinforcement training versus negative or aversive training.


Web Sources

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers/Pet Professional Guild (PPG). Educational resources to trainers and the public. Works to build collaboration among force-free trainers and work as an advocate against aversive trainers and training methods. Founded by Niki Tudge in 2012. https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/

Cascade Animal Connection. Kathy Cascade was one of the first instructors of the Tellington TTouch method outside Linda Tellington-Jones and her sister, Robyn Hood. Formerly located in Stillwater (OK), she now practices and teaches in her home state of Oregon. Trained in the military as a physical therapist, Kathy has worked with horses and companion animals since 1996. http://spiritdog.com/

Dr. Sophia Yin - The Art & Science of Animal Behavior. The late Dr. Yin was a veterinarian, animal behaviorist, author, and internationally known speaker on her method called "Low Stress Handling" for vets. Her methods were highly researched and methodically presented, although she also published several books for pet owners, as well as YouTube videos of her own dog Jonesy performing tasks and tricks. Her YouTube videos on dog training may be found at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC33WtSzCCnRaY8kQqb3hDsQ. Her website and publishing company, still active since her tragic death in 2014, are located at https://drsophiayin.com/

Feldenkrais Method. An explanation of the method that began Linda Tellington-Jones' journey to TTouch. Feldenkrais is a human bodywork modality emphasizing awareness and using gentle movement to improve health and wellness. The Feldenkrais Method of somatic education was the brainchild of Moshe Feldenkrais. https://feldenkrais.com/

Victoria Stilwell Positively. Stilwell is widely known for her international television series "It's Me or the Dog," which began in 2005 and produced 110 episodes. She advocates for positive reinforcement dog training methods and is the founder and president of the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training and Behavior. Her most recent television program, Dogs with Extraordinary Jobs, is shown on the Smithsonian channel in the USA. https://positively.com/

Tellington TTouch Training. TTouch is a specialized approach to the care, handling, and training of companion animals, horses, and exotic animals. Most recently, founder Linda Tellington-Jones expanded her method into work with humans. https://ttouch.com/


References

Becker, M., Radosta, L., Sung, W., & Becker, M. (2018). From Fearful to Fear Free. Health Communications, Inc.

Behavior Modification. (n.d.). In Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.metrolibrary.org/ehost/detail/detail?vid=6&sid=b566836f-b1a4-466f-8a0a-968e24913623%40sessionmgr4008&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=be059600&db=funk.

Coile, D. C. (2015). Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds (5th ed.). Barron's Educational Series.

Farlex. (n.d.). Aversive Training. The Free Dictionary. https://www.thefreedictionary.com/aversive+training.

Feldenkrais, M. (1990). Awareness Through Movement: Easy-to-Do Health Exercises to Improve Your Posture, Vision, Imagination, and personal awareness. HarperOne.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. (2018). American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (5th ed.). essay.

Meyer, D., Moore, A., & Salk, P. (2016). The Total Cat Manual. Weldon Owen International.

Miller, P. (2008). The Power of Positive Dog Training. Wiley Pub.

Pavia, A. (2003). Helping Hands. Dog World, 88(2), 48–48.

Sanders, L., & Guernsey, D. (1995). The Power of Touch. Town & Country, 15(5206), 113–113.

Stilwell, V. (2013). Train Your Dog Positively: Understand Your Dog and Solve Common Behavior Problems Including Separation Anxiety, Excessive Barking, Aggression, Housetraining, Leash Pulling, and More! Ten Speed Press.

Tellington-Jones, L. (2010). The Power of Touch. HorseLink, 12–13.

Viera de Castro, A. C., Fuchs, D., Morello, G. M., Pastur, S., deSousa, L., & Olsson, I. A. S. (2020). Does Training Matter? Evidence for the Negative Impact of Aversive-Based Methods on Companion Dog Welfare. PLos ONE, 15(12), 1–26.