Success Stories

"We have a dog who became ill quite suddenly. I took him to the vet, but they found nothing. He just continued to throw up.  When I got a break from cleaning things up, I started to read The Tellington TTouch book in preparation for attending a training. I decided I had nothing to lose, so I started working on Ike. 

"Interestingly enough, after about 20 minutes, my husband joined me in working on the dog. The shift that needed to happen, happened after Jim joined me. Ike relaxed enough to let the discomfort pass. This was our first experience with TTouch and it was a very unifying experience."
–  Helen A. Wright              

"I have been doing TTouches on my old lab/shepherd mix dog, who is about 13+ years old.  She has a very strong will to stay young but lives in an old dog's body. (I can relate to this concept some days.) She gets eye drops every morning for glaucoma in one eye, and as a reward I give her a TTouch workout for a few minutes (which she loves). She is showing renewed vigor and definitely moves more comfortably overall. She's trotting and running (albeit a slow old lope) but is definitely feeling better overall. Yesterday she went with the  'young dogs' for an adventure to our lower pasture. She's a very proud dog and seems to be pleased to be running again with the young crowd. That's fun for us both."
– Joyce G.

"Up until four years ago I did therapy visiting with my Golden Retriever in a residential home for the elderly. One of the ladies could not communicate with people using language; she had suffered a stroke and certainly had some dementia. This lady would hang around the neck of Jim (my Goldie) for as long as we would let her. Jim was very tolerant and would nudge this lady very gently.

"When this process had ended Jim would be totally exhausted and I would TTouch to help him recover. But the care workers always reported to me that for two days after Jim's visit this lady could interact with people more than she had been able to before our visit. What I found interesting was that this lady would recognize Jim but not me and she seemed to gain so much from the affection/touch shown by Jim towards her. This may be an example of how touch-starved ill people can be and the benefit that they can gain from simple touch.  Good luck with exploring the research opportunities."
–  Jeanette Atkinson, Practitioner in the UK

"I was given a scholarship, and was therefore able to attend a seminar with TTouch Instructor Debby Potts. It was wonderful!

"I am an animal control officer in Southern Illinois, and through this class I learned many things to help me in the field. Up to this point, and learning about calming signals, I thought the wide gaping yawn simply meant "you have five minutes 'til I throw up in your lap."

"I wanted to let you know how I have used what I have learned. Immediately upon returning, I had to remove a young dog with a litter of newborn pups from under a shed. The homeowner was not aware the dog was there until she charged out from under the shed and tried to bite her. Taking a position several feet from her and making myself as small as possible, I started offering some of the calming signals. Within 15 minutes I was able to touch her on the nose, and after a few calming TTouches, was able to remove the pups and mother.

"I have used this approach many times. Also, of course this probably has no scientific backing, I have used the ace bandage, or sometimes blankets or whatever I have on hand, to wrap dogs having mild seizures. It seems that very soon after wrapping, and of course showing them that everything is still there and not flailing around, they recover very quickly.

"I would like to continue with the training when I can as there are so many aspects this type of training can assist in. Thank you so much for the opportunity."      -Donna Hawk

"My 13+ old dog Maisy was limited by arthritis. After TTouch she has been happier, livelier, and bouncing on our walks!

"I had done some training with TTouch many years ago, but had gradually stopped using it. Recently, I was reminded of it, and ordered the book and DVD. I started using it on my 13-1/2-year-old dog. Maisey, my dear companion, is a Border Collie/Blue Heeler/Australian Shepherd mix who had developed significant arthritis in her hips and knees, making it has been very difficult and painful for her to get up, move easily, or complete a walk. Her shoulders also bother her.

"The first day I began working on her, she was nervous and had enough after two minutes of gentle Raccoon TTouches on her back and one leg. She stood up and stretched both hind legs out behind her, one after the other, which she hadn't done for a couple of years.

"The next day I did five minutes, and the third day, 10. By the third day she was able to lie down with her ankle and knee flexed. For the last two years, she has had to lie down with them straight out. She has been happier, livelier, and bouncing on our walks! I also noticed that the chokey, hacking cough she would get after drinking has disappeared.

"I am completely blown away as I have only done a little work on her for four days so far. But I am working carefully and with intention, and wonderful things are happening. She looks forward to our sessions with quiet and eager focus. Thank you so much. I think you have given us more years together and much less pain for her."  - Elenor S

"We adopted Noah, a Chow, from the shelter but brought him back because he was biting children. While there he had the TTouch done on him and now I am amazed. It’s shocking to me that he’s sitting with a child, and licking the child's face. We had said we would have to lock him up so he would never be around a child again. Now, we’re going to keep him and that’s it!

"There's more: Noah doesn’t get car sick anymore since we’ve been using the TTouch. He actually loves getting in the car with us and he’s a joy to drive around with."     
– Sandy Salazar

Face, a Reluctant Show Dog
by Practitioner Kathi Lehman.

Face, a longhair standard Dachshund, came to TTouch^® as a Champion show dog. Vicki and Bruce Walsh were Face's owners and breeders. The Walshes have bred and shown dogs for thirty years. They had tried all the normal show dog training and socialization with Face, but while he was champion, he had developed bad behavior patterns.

Face had managed to finish his championship, but he was afraid of everything. He is an exquisite dog, but he is very nervous. At times, Face would totally loose it in the ring, and it would be everything Bruce could do just to hang on to him. He was very afraid of loud noises and would go into freeze at times. Face did not ever eat very well and was a very poor traveler. If Face had a "good" day and managed to win, he would totally refuse to walk on to the winners' platform to receive his award or have his photo taken.

Bruce brought Face to me ready to give up on Face as a show dog. My assessment was that Face was very tight in his stomach area and generally not very present. Face was very sweet but did not make any kind of contact really with anyone.

I used a body wrap and a Halti on him. When Face had his TTouch^®  "clothes" on we just walked around for about three minutes. Many performance dogs have been over stimulated by their dog jobs and sometimes very short easy sessions are the way to begin a breakthrough with them. I also did a short basic session of Clouded Leopard TTouches and mouth work. I used a pressure of about a three with the TTouches. His tail was limp, so I did some gentle tail-work as well. Then we took a break of about an hour.

We let Face wander around mv place, visit with other dogs and wear his body wrap in this very relaxed situation. He wore his body wrap for about 15 minutes. He then had about an hour to relax and process his first session.

I then put the Halti back on and the body wrap back on and gave Face some food treats. We very slowly did the labyrinth. At first, Face was very nervous, and I used a wand to coax him along with me. We then put him into the Homing Pigeon and lie was a bit more confident with Bruce as the leader. When we added the platform, Bruce commented that Face would never go up on that. Using the Homing Pigeon, wands and bits of food treats, we managed to get Face to climb up on the platform. I then did another ten-minute session of bodywork and Face went home.

Bruce brought Face back the next weekend and we began with the same light bodywork. Face was still very tense in his body with his gut area really feeling like a knot. Face had a much easier time with the confidence course this time. We added his stepping over a couple of low poles. These low poles are made by cutting swimming pool noodles in half. At first, stepping over something was very hard for Face, but he managed. My hope was that by asking him to pick up his feet tjat he would become more aware of his feet and his body.

Face went to a dog show the next weekend. He did better. Bruce felt he was calmer and more responsive. He won and he was willing to walk up the little ramp and take his ribbons. Bruce was also able to get a photo of Face standing on the little platform and that was another first.

The Walshes live two hours from me. They wanted Face to have more TTouch sessions, but the drive was a bit much. I offered to take Face for a week of TTouch camp. I repeated the sessions as described above. I added an evening session of slow gentle bodywork including Raccoon TTouch and lots of TTouch mouth-work. It took four sessions before Face seemed to have a real relaxation response. I did not really think any true progress had been made, but he was a nice dog and I had enjoyed working with him.

Face went home. The first call I got was asking me what I had done to make him eat. The Walshes had not mentioned the issue with Face eating, so not only had I not done anything, but also, I didn't even know it was an issue! I had just fed him, but I had done a bit of TTouch on him prior to each meal because I was trying to maximize our week.

The next week, Face went to the dog show. He did very well. He was more relaxed than ever. He even ate little treats called bait in the ring.

The Walshes asked me to work on Face at a dog show. I did a couple of sessions on Face at nearby dog shows. These sessions included some bodywork prior to his being groomed for the ring. I did note that his tail did not feel as disconnected anymore. Hoever, his stomach area was still tense so I did Abalone TTouches on that area with a very slow lift at the end.

I went to ringside and used the lines on the floor to make a little labyrinth. Prior to asking Face to walk forward in our invisible labyrinth, I did a few circles on his rump above his tail. Then as we started out, I did a little flicking TTouch like the horse-leading position and Dingo to encourage him move out and use his rear legs. This warm-up seemed to work quite well. In the ring, Bruce would do light mouth-work on the outside of Face's lips prior to the judge examining Face.

Face has gone on to learn to enjoy his job as a show dog. He now lives with a very nice handler, Loreen Hogan. Loren keeps Face as a house dog when he is not at the shows and they have bonded very well. I taught Loreen some TTouches and she has continued his sessions. Face became the number one ranked Longhair Standard Dachshund for 1999.

"I used TTouch^®  on my dog's ears when she collapsed and went into Addisonian Crisis and shock and by the time I got to the vet she was coming around. Thank you!"
–  RocDen

Dear Linda Tellington-Jones, 

About five years ago I saw the your video. I had just adopted a Miniature American Eskimo "Becky" from a breeder I found in the paper. I didn't know anything about breeders, (or dogs to say the least). Live and learn...  I immediately started to use the knowledge shared on the video with Becky. It was amazing how IT ACTUALLY WORKED! I was shocked that this simple touching and breathing method really did work with Becky. Becky's submissive urination stopped, and she actually obeys our vocal commands now.

I liked the video so much I gave it to family and friends that had dog or cat issues that they were having trouble dealing with. Needless to say, the video has been passed on and on, and I haven't seen it since.

I work in a Humane Society facility. TTouch^® works quickly with many of the dogs and cats when I'm showing them to potential adoption families. It is amazing how the dogs and cats respond in their suite with the potential clients looking on! I find myself referring adoption clients, and folks that call with pet behavior issues, to the Tellington TTouch^®  website. I have been visiting the site myself to see what help is out there for people and their pets.
– Chuck Mather

"What a difference TTouch^® and specifically one of your practitioners, Kathy Kawalec, has made in my dog's life. My dog is a rescued four year-old male Rottweiler who I am trying to rehabilitate a partially torn ACL in his left rear knee. I am trying to avoid surgery at all cost. Kathy showed me a very "beginning" TTouch^® technique and also how/why to use a body wrap. Within only a few days this dog had shown major improvement.

"I have to thank all the teachers of these practitioners, such as Kathy. After seeing the benefits already in my own dog, I hope in the future to perhaps register for a certification program."
–  Teri Brown   Mokena, IL

"Hello TTouch, First, let me tell you I can't say enough about your videos. I thought the videos would be a good thing to have because I have dogs, my kids have dogs and cats, and our animals are part of the family, and we do whatever we can to see to their health and comfort.

"Three days after my videos for dogs and cats arrived, my son brought his Lab/Chow mix home from the hospital. He had been run over, head to foot, by a truck, and it was two weeks in surgery and recovery before he could be brought home. He had to be helped to walk outside to do his chores, and the vet said it would be a good three to six months before he would have full use of his muscles, and be back to a normally active dog. You could tell it hurt him to move at all.

"I used the video to guide me in the TTouches for his muscles and joints. In ONE WEEK, he was in the back yard, scampering with my dogs!!!!!!! His vet was AMAZED!!! The vet requested the information for ordering those videos. I am on some of the boards at askme.com and I answer questions as charlotte34. I often refer questioners to your site, to order the videos.

"I also use the TTouch^® to help ease my setter's itching and speed up healing of the skin problems associated with her allergies; help dogs with fear of thunder etc. I also am teaching some of my grandchildren the TTouch^® . They watch the tapes, and are very good at giving the TTouches. My four-year-old grand-daughter has been learning for about four months now, and she is very good at it. My dad was an old country vet, and he started teaching me to care for my own animals when I was three. I don't think you can start them too soon. The dogs love to get the TTouches from the kids. Two of my grand-daughters want to be veterinarians. I am going to see they get the opportunity for the schooling."  Thank you, Charlotte

Dear Tellington Training USA, "I have a male Chihuahua named Max. He is 13 years old (or 91 years old). I have had him for a long time. I got him when he was about two years old. My brother is eight years old and he just got a new puppy who is ten weeks old and is a Boston Terrier and Rat Terrier mix. Both dogs live in our house.

"Max is very stressed-out and nervous a lot. I got a “Dog Fancy” magazine from a friend, and it showed the TTouch^® Techniques. I tried them on Max and he seemed more relaxed after that. He seemed to like the Clouded Leopard the most. I don’t like my dog nervous all the time and I like spending time with him and doing the TTouch^®. Could you send me more info about the TTouch^® ."

Thanks,  Ashley Hobby
P.S.  I guess you would like to know my age - 12 years old.  I’m an animal person.

Dear Linda, "thank you for your wonderful book that has helped me and moved me a lot. And of course, it did help our dog, who was very ill and died finally.

"During his illness, Iwan our dog, was coughing very badly. The animal doctor said that he could not help him. A girlfriend told me about your book and the TTouch^® Method. I immediately started reading and practicing what I was reading. I began to TTouch^®Iwan. From the beginning, I learned something very important: How far away I was from understanding his needs and problems. I had thought that I was sensible enough to know and to feel what was going on with him. But I was not really. I lost a kind of a silliness and proudness. I saw, I know nothing and that I created suffering, because I did not really understand the animal nature.

"I love animals and understand them to some extent, because from childhood on I was sitting silently for hours with cows, horses, sheep and dogs, being with them, trying to get in touch with them. From time to time in my life I felt a great longing to speak with animals, but I did not really know why this longing was so extremely strong. I felt a kind of separation between me and the animal creation, which hurt me.

"But I did not know what to do, accepted these feelings and forgot them again. But they woke up the time when our family's dog died slowly. I tried to help him as good as I could with the TTouch, and speaking with him. I began to realize many things that I had not been I aware of, for example the stress and the fear in his body and his loneliness. I saw the separation between me and my family members and Iwan. As I TTouched his body, I realized a connection that I never had been aware of. I felt a freedom of letting go of the artificial separation between me and the animal. And I saw how much I had contributed to the suffering of my dog, without wanting and knowing, only because of my ignorance.

"Iwan released a lot of stress from of his body, but he died finally, he was 13 years old and his heart and his lungs were full of water. Now I see, that we can prevent a lot of suffering and I am thankful that you open the eyes of lots of people to see, to touch, to learn to communicate and to cooperate. The TTouch^® helped me to see clearer what I do and it helped my animal to release fear and stress. I wish I had known it earlier so that I could have tried to make the going of lwan easier. To use the time we still had together, to learn from him, what I had not learned before.

"At the end of my letter excuse the many mistakes in it, but writing in English is a bit difficult for me.

"The essence of my saying is THANK YOU!!! That is most important"     MARIA ANNA HAUSHOFER Alte Muhle A-635i Scheffau