Tellington TTouch Canada, Coldstream, BC (2026)

09/03/2026

You are invited to join our next TTouch Community Webinar-

Animal Ambassadors: How Kindness Creates Connection with Linda Tellington-Jones

Sunday, September 6 - 11:00 am PT | 2:00 pm ET | 7:00 pm UK | 8:00 pm Central Europe

What began with an unexpected conversation in a Moscow hotel grew into something much bigger: the idea of animals as ambassadors for kindness, connection and understanding.

This Sunday, Linda will share stories from the evolution of the Animal Ambassador approach and the remarkable programs it inspired around the world, from school children connecting across countries to programs bringing together people from very different backgrounds.

At the heart of it all is a wonderfully simple idea: the kindness, respect and cooperation we practice with animals can influence how we connect with one another.

Join Linda for stories, inspiration and a look at how this idea continues to evolve today through TTouch for animals and TTouch for You.

TTouch Community members: Join us live on Zoom. The replay will be added to your Community library.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Zz_WuOX3QBCz6xX68vZeQQ

09/03/2026

When we work with animals in a low stress way, our goal isn't to remove every challenge or stressor from an animal's life.

Challenges are part of learning. In fact, learning often requires us to step a little outside of what is already easy and familiar.

The important question is: Can the animal still think within the challenge?

There is a big difference between an animal experiencing a manageable amount of stress and one who has become so overwhelmed that their ability to process information and learn is compromised.

Once stress becomes excessive, we are much more likely to see automatic reactions or coping patterns. Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fool Around and Fawn, even Faint, increased tension and escalating behaviours.

At that point, adding more pressure or insisting that the animal "work through it" doesn't necessarily teach the lesson we intended. In the Tellington TTouch Method, we aren't trying to protect animals from every difficult experience. We want to help them develop confidence, adaptability and the ability to cope with challenges.

The key is keeping the challenge at a level where learning is still possible. Sometimes that means slowing things down. Breaking an exercise into smaller pieces. Adding clarity. Changing the environment. Reducing unnecessary pressure. Or simply giving the animal enough time to process what is happening.

Then, as confidence and understanding grow, we can gradually ask for more. The goal isn't an animal who never experiences stress. It's an animal who can meet challenges while still having enough access to their thinking brain to act rather than simply react.

Have you had an experience where an animal did what you asked but did not seem to retain the information for the next session? This may have been an example where the stress was too high for learning to take place. This will vary from animal to animal but it can give you invaluable feedback about what was difficult for them and how you might adjust the exercise for the individual.

09/03/2026

When an animal isn’t doing what we expected, it’s very easy to focus on what THEY are not doing.

They’re not listening. They’re not standing still. They’re not responding to the cue. They’re not cooperating.

Often our natural response is to do more. More pressure, a stronger cue, more repetition, a better reward, just more. Instead, what if we shifted the focus back to ourselves? What can I change to make cooperation easier?

This doesn’t mean abandoning the goal or having no boundaries. It means recognizing that the animal in front of us is doing the best they can with what they are experiencing in that moment. And hopefully, so are we.

Rather than interpreting resistance as spite, stubbornness or “disrespect,” we can use our logical, thinking brain to get curious about what might be behind it.

Is there pain or fear of pain?
Tension or lack of balance?
Confusion about what we are asking?
Is the animal too worried, excited or overwhelmed to process the information we're giving them?

Then we can look at our actions and look for small ways we can adapt for ease.

Could I make my communication clearer? Change my position? Adjust the equipment or environment? Slow things down? Break the exercise into a smaller, more achievable step?

This is one of the principles we come back to again and again in the Tellington TTouch Method. Instead of focusing on what the animal is NOT doing, focus on what you can do differently to make cooperation more possible.

Interestingly, this doesn’t mean giving up on the end goal. When we reduce confusion, tension and unnecessary resistance, we often reach that goal more quickly and more easily than we would by simply increasing the pressure to get there.

So the next time something isn’t working, before making the cue stronger, try asking, "What could I make easier? " Sometimes a small change on our part can make a very big difference for the animal and result in calm, cooperative, learning.

This was just one of the concepts Robyn Hood discussed on Sunday's webinar about how easily TTouch can be integrated into whatever you do with animals. You can find more webinars and free mini courses on our website at learn.ttouch.ca

08/18/2026

One of the things we appreciate most about teaching Tellington TTouch is that, even after all these decades, we still leave every course having learned something new. There are always new possibilities to explore, and an ever-growing community of people who are curious, thoughtful, and genuinely want to do the best they can for their animals.

Not because the method has changed its underlying goal, but because the animals keep teaching us and challenging us to become better guardians and advocates. Every group we teach brings together people with different backgrounds, different questions, and different experiences. Veterinarians, trainers, behaviour consultants, shelter workers, breeders, bodyworkers, riders, competitors, and people who simply want a better relationship with the animals in their lives. We don't always arrive with the same perspective, but we all arrive curious.

One of the core ideas behind TTouch is that if we want our animals to change, we have to be willing to change first. That doesn't mean trying harder or finding another technique to "fix" the animal. It means becoming more observant. More aware of what our hands are doing, how we're using our bodies, what we're asking, when we're asking it, and whether we have another option if what we're doing isn't helping.

The more skilled, adaptable, and thoughtful we become, the more opportunities we can offer the animal to succeed. This is really what the Immersion Series is about. Over six months, we don't just describe techniques (though the practical exercises are laid out and explained) We learn when, why, and how to use them. We become better observers, more aware of what we are bringing to each interaction, and more refined in how we use our bodies, hands, equipment, and timing.

The better we become, the easier it is for the animal to be successful. As our skills grow, so do our options. Instead of relying on one approach, we have more ways to adapt, clarify, and help the individual animal in front of us.

Sometimes the answer is to do less, not more. We spend time applying what we've learned with our own animals, then come back together to discuss what worked, what didn't, and what we noticed along the way. Those conversations are often where some of the most interesting learning happens.

One of the greatest strengths of these courses is the people who join them. The conversations are enriched by veterinarians, trainers, behaviour consultants, physiotherapists, shelter workers, breeders, experienced handlers, and dedicated animal people from around the world. Everyone brings different experiences, different questions, and different ways of looking at the same situation.

One participant recently described the experience this way:

"The depth of learning is always relevant and dynamic... Listening to case studies and perspectives from veterinarians, neuroscientists, behaviourists, physios, people working in shelters, dog trainers, and more, the course offers a host of perspectives and angles to consider or not, in a respectful safe context to learn."

She also wrote something that I think gets to the heart of these courses:

"To have these opportunities to be among people who of course want to learn about dogs yet for me, more importantly, to learn among others who want to learn how to learn from dogs is great fun and inspiration."

I think that applies equally well to horses. Nobody is expected to know everything. In fact, the willingness to keep learning is one of the qualities I value most in the people who join these courses. We ask questions, share ideas, celebrate successes, puzzle through challenges, and continually refine our skills.

There is always another way to look at something, another small detail to notice, or another tool we can add to our repertoire.

This September we'll be starting new two new Tellington TTouch Immersion Series - one for horses and one for dogs (and companion animals). Each runs over six months, combining live, interactive sessions with a comprehensive online curriculum. The live sessions are recorded, so if life gets in the way, or you simply want to go back and hear something again, you can.

If you're looking for an opportunity to deepen your TTouch skills, expand your options, and spend six months learning alongside a thoughtful and supportive community of people, I hope you'll consider joining us.

Register today. Payment plans are available. Discounts for repeat students and updating Practitioners.

Horses starting September 12th: https://learn.ttouch.ca/product/tellington-ttouch-for-horses-immersion-series-with-robyn-hood-sept-2026/

Dogs starting September 17th: https://learn.ttouch.ca/product/interactive-online-tellington-ttouch-for-dogs-immersion-series-with-robyn-hood-september-2026/

08/18/2026

Teaching Foals Without Teaching Fear

There is a trend online right now around teaching horses to “give to pressure.” The idea is often that pressure is applied, whether on a lead rope or while tied, and the horse is left to figure out how to make it stop. Sometimes they do, sometimes they struggle, panic, pull back or even flip over backwards.

When concerns are raised, a common response is that horses need to learn how to deal with pressure, and that protecting them from it only sets them up for bigger problems later.

I don't disagree that we cannot keep horses protected from experiencing challenges. Horses absolutely need to learn how to cope with pressure, frustration, unfamiliar situations and the inevitable stressors they will encounter throughout their lives.

But there is a very important middle ground between avoiding all stress and allowing a horse to become overwhelmed in the name of “learning.” Learning requires an animal to be able to think rather than simply reacting.

Our goal is not to remove every stressor. It is to introduce challenges at a level where the horse can continue to process information, experiment, find an answer and recover. Some arousal and frustration are a normal part of learning. The important distinction is whether the horse remains able to think and respond, or has tipped into fear, panic and survival.

We want to build confidence and resilience, not simply teach an animal that resistance is futile.

This is especially important with foals. The first time a foal wears a halter, feels a lead rope or experiences restraint can begin to shape their expectations about human interactions for the rest of their life.

The Tellington TTouch Method has always been interested in creating positive postural habits and reducing tension patterns so horses can learn to be cooperative, willing partners without fear, pain or fear of pain.

Traditionally, many foals have learned to lead through force and pressure on a single point of contact. We have all seen the result: a foal looking rather like a “fish on the end of a line,” pulling, bracing and scrambling until eventually they learn that resistance doesn't work.

We take a different approach. When we first introduce a foal to leading, our initial step doesn't involve a halter at all.

We begin with a figure eight body rope. This allows the foal to experience containment rather than restraint and begins to introduce the ideas of stop, go and following a handler's suggestion without concentrating all of the pressure on the sensitive head and neck.

Once the foal is comfortable being gently influenced by the handler, we gradually introduce the halter.

Rather than applying steady pressure and waiting for the foal to give, we use a gentle “combing” or “milking” action on the line. This helps avoid triggering and reinforcing a strong bracing response. The foal begins to understand that they can respond to the feel of the line while remaining balanced and relaxed.

We continue using the body rope along with the halter so the foal has support through their whole body. Instead of simply teaching “pressure means you must move,” we are helping them discover how to organize their body and find a comfortable, functional response. And yes, eventually we want that young horse to understand pressure. We want them to lead, tie, stand for the farrier, trailer and cope when something unexpected happens.

But preparation for those situations does not require overwhelming them first or relying on escalating pressure. Foals, puppies, ponies and other small animals often have things done to them simply because their size makes it possible. Taking a little more time to introduce equipment, handling and new requests in small, understandable pieces can have an enormous influence on how they view human interaction.

The question isn't whether we should prepare horses for "real-life" pressure and stress. Of course we should. The question is how much stress supports useful learning, and when does that stress cross the line into fear, panic and survival, where the ability to process and learn can become compromised? We as the facilitators of this learning experience are responsible for how it is done.

We have always found that animals learn best when they feel safe. What that looks like depends on the individual. Can we as the human, "chunk down" the request and make it more clear for the horse or do we stubbornly decide the first way we asked is the only option or we have "lost"? Can we change tact? Can we recognize that most "undesirable" behavior is a result of pain, fear of pain, imbalance or a lack of understanding?

The internet has a way of presenting animal training as though there are only two choices: “cowboy up” and get the job done by whatever means necessary, or avoid boundaries altogether and become a human treat dispenser (and food is a powerful motivator that has great use when used mindfully) .

There is an enormous amount of space in between. We can be clear without being forceful. We can have expectations without overwhelming an animal. We can prepare horses for the realities of life without deliberately putting them into panic to prove they can survive it.

Safe, thoughtful and empathetic training isn't about avoiding pressure or challenge. It's about knowing how much is enough for learning, and recognizing when it has become too much.

08/18/2026

Did you catch Sunday’s webinar? By all accounts, it was an incredible presentation, full of practical takeaways, stories and those little shifts in perspective that can make a surprisingly big difference in how we work with animals.

Robyn, Linda and many other of our wonderful teachers, shared and explored something that can sometimes get lost when we talk about the many techniques and exercises that make up the Tellington TTouch Method. TTouch is not just about what you do. It is about how you think.

It is learning to observe what is actually happening, rather than simply focusing on the behaviour we want to change. It is remembering that behaviour is information.

It is noticing tension, balance and posture, and considering how those things may be affecting an animal’s ability to respond and perhaps most importantly, it is putting some of the responsibility back on us.

Instead of asking: “How do I get my animal to do this?” Ask, “How can I make this clearer and easier for my animal to understand?”

That small change in thinking opens up so many possibilities. We can change our position. Slow things down. Break an exercise into smaller pieces. Try another point of contact. Give the animal more time. Change the environment. Notice tension we may have overlooked. Or simply recognize that what worked yesterday may not be what this animal needs today.

The goal isn't to have one prescribed technique for every possible problem. It is to develop enough awareness, skill and options that we can adapt when things don't go according to plan. The better we become, the easier it is for the animal to be successful.

Replays of our weekly webinars are normally reserved for TTouch Community members, but there was simply too much valuable information in this one not to share it more widely.

So we've made Beyond the Techniques: The Principles Behind TTouch available to everyone. If you live or work with animals, we think there will be something in this presentation that changes the way you look at your next interaction.

Watch the replay - https://learn.ttouch.ca/product/beyond-the-techniques-the-principles-behind-ttouch/

08/18/2026

What if having more influence meant giving up a little control?

When a dog pulls, a horse rushes, or an animal feels reactive, our very human instinct is often to hold a little tighter, shorten the leash or reins, and try to manage every moment. It makes sense, when we feel unsure, more control feels safer; but sometimes that extra control creates exactly what we are trying to avoid.

The more we restrict, the more the animal braces, the more they brace, the more we hold, and pretty soon, neither one of us is feeling particularly balanced or safe.

Instead of automatically meeting tension with more tension, we look for opportunities to soften, release and give the animal enough space to find their own balance. This doesn’t mean throwing away the reins or letting your dog run wild! Safety still matters.

It means recognizing that animals often make their best choices when they feel physically balanced, have a sense of choice, and aren’t using all of their resources simply reacting to pressure or restriction.

We see this in exercises like the Bee Line, where dogs and horses have more freedom to move towards or away from a person. We see it when a tense, rushy horse suddenly finds self carriage with a neck ring and no restriction through the reins. And we can see it in something as simple as giving a dog a little more freedom to sniff and explore on a walk.

Sometimes the response we are looking for happens after the release, not during the pressure. That little moment of space can give an animal the opportunity to reorganize their body, think, and act rather than simply react.

It can feel counterintuitive, especially when our instinct is telling us to hold on,But sometimes, to gain more influence, we have to be willing to let it go.

Read the full article: https://www.ttouch.ca/2024/02/05/let-it-go/

Tellington TTouch Canada

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