An Online, Self-Paced Course for Dog Guardians, Rescue Workers, TTouch Practitioners, and Canine Professionals
Is your dog — or a dog in your care — reluctant to have their feet touched or nails clipped? You’re not alone. Foot sensitivity and nail care anxiety are extremely common challenges that can cause stress for both dogs and handlers.
In this comprehensive, self-paced online course, you’ll discover effective, low-stress techniques based on the Tellington TTouch® Training Method. Combining theoretical insights with practical, step-by-step strategies, this course empowers you to create a nurturing and stress-free experience for your own dogs, rescue dogs, or client dogs.
Led by renowned Tellington TTouch Instructor and Accredited Animal Behaviourist, Toni Shelbourne, this course is designed for TTouch Practitioners, Practitioners-in-Training, rescue workers, dog guardians, and canine professionals seeking lasting, humane solutions.
What You’ll Learn
🐾 Why dogs may become anxious about foot handling and nail clipping, and how to recognize signs of stress and anxiety.
🐾 How understanding anatomy, communication, and canine body language can improve handling success.
🐾 Practical TTouch techniques and bodywork exercises specifically designed to prepare dogs for relaxed foot handling.
🐾 How to use specialized equipment and tools to make foot and nail care easier and more positive.
🐾 Additional training strategies, including clipper desensitization, teaching a “give paw” behavior, encouraging cooperative care, and even how to train your dog to file their own nails!
🐾 How to set achievable goals and create a customized plan for helping each individual dog.
🐾 Resources for ongoing learning and professional support.
Course Structure
Module 1: Introduction to Tellington TTouch Training and understanding why dogs struggle with foot handling and nail clipping.
Module 2: Introduction to TTouch equipment, foundational bodywork (TTouches), and strategies for safely and calmly approaching foot handling.
Module 3: Additional steps and training techniques to complement your TTouch approach, including desensitization, cooperative care techniques, and enrichment strategies.
Module 4: Wrapping up — review, additional resources, and next steps for ongoing success.
Each module includes a blend of video demonstrations, clear explanations, and practical exercises you can immediately apply with your dog or client dogs.
Course Benefits
🐾 Gain a deep understanding of why dogs struggle with foot handling and how to transform the experience into a positive one.
🐾 Learn proven, practical strategies that foster trust, cooperation, and emotional resilience.
🐾 Discover integrative training methods that go beyond traditional techniques to support each dog’s emotional and physical well-being.
🐾 Build confidence in yourself and the dogs you work with by creating a calm, cooperative approach to nail and foot care.
Please Note: While this course offers valuable techniques and support, it does not replace individual consultation with a veterinarian, qualified TTouch Practitioner, or professional behaviorist if your dog’s challenges require personalized intervention.
About Your Instructor
Toni Shelbourne brings over three decades of animal experience to this course. As a Tellington TTouch® Companion Animal Instructor, Accredited Animal Behaviourist, Real Dog Yoga Instructor, and author, Toni offers a unique, compassionate perspective backed by years of hands-on experience across many species.
She is:
🐾 An Accredited Animal Behaviourist (ACB-KSA)
🐾 A Tellington TTouch® Instructor
🐾 A Real Dog Yoga Instructor
🐾 A Full Member of INTODogs and ICAN (International Companion Animal Network)
🐾 An accomplished author and respected voice in the animal behavior community.
