Canine Support with Katharine Brunsch

07/05/2025

Are you looking for ways to create more enjoyable and relaxed walks with your dog using the gentle power of Tellington TTouch?

Then, I have some exciting news to share – my new eBook, Walking in Balance with Tellington TTouch, is now live!

Imagine how difficult it must be for your dog to focus on walking nicely if they're feeling genuinely scared or anxious around other dogs, strangers, or unfamiliar places. Their primary instinct will be to find safety, making learning new things a real challenge. When fear takes over, dogs enter what we call survival mode – you might see this as fight, flight, freeze, or even seemingly silly "fool around" behaviours. These aren't conscious choices; they're automatic responses rooted in a deep need to feel safe, driven by the more primitive parts of their brain, not the thinking part.
Understanding this survival response is key. Before we can even begin to teach loose-lead walking, we need to help our dogs feel safe enough to move out of this state of high alert. By using Tellington TTouch® techniques, we can gently activate their parasympathetic nervous system –the 'rest and digest' system. This allows their brains to calm down, process their surroundings, and finally become open to learning.
To read more about Walking in Balance with Tellington TTouch, click the link in the comments. 🐶

06/05/2025

Is your dog struggling with anxiety? You're not alone. Dog Anxiety Awareness Week is a great time to learn more. Tellington TTouch® offers a compassionate approach using gentle touch and movement to help regulate their nervous system and build confidence. Explore how TTouch can support your anxious companion in our Blog: https://www.caninesupport.co.uk/blog/harmony-and-healing-the-power-of-ttouch-for-dogs

06/05/2025

💜 VE Day 80 – Remembering the Unsung Heroes 💜

As the 80th anniversary of VE Day approaches, we remember all who served and sacrificed for our freedom - human and animal alike.

During the Second World War, animals played vital roles, both on the front lines and at home, serving alongside their human counterparts. From horses and dogs to pigeons and cats, their loyalty and bravery saved countless lives.

May their service never be forgotten💜

03/05/2025

It isn't unusual to see washed up jellyfish on beaches, some seem to have more than others.While the jellyfish may be dead, they still have the ability to sting several weeks after dying. If a jellyfish stings your dog, it is important to get them seen by a vet as soon as possible.The sting can be v...

02/05/2025

Pet sitting is back 💙 Brand new website is live 💙 Our team is growing 💙 Small animal care has returned 💙

We are making some exciting improvements to the business this year starting with our very own brand new website which was published in March but officially launched today 🥳🥳🥳

We are now able to reintroduce a variety of pet care services including pet sitting, drop-in visits, puppy care and solo dog walks and to help with this growth, we are growing our team 🐶

These services are now available throughout Minehead and Wellington and in these local areas 🏡

Watch this space as we Introduce our newest member of the The Walkies Pack team very soon 💝

Take a look at our fabulous new website and let us know what you think 🐾💝

www.thewalkiespack.co.uk

#2025

30/04/2025

Mom wanted to put up the sunshade this morning in the garden, this is me helping! 🐶🤭 But it took her long enough cos I got quite warm while I was waiting! Glad she got the garden sofa out for me as well though! Stay cool, love Remi 🐶💜

30/04/2025

Just in case I need too:
Since Meta is now a public entity, all members must publish a similar statement. If you don't post at least once, you'll assume you don't care about them using your information and pictures. I do not give Meta or anyone else permission to use any of my personal data, profile information or photos.
Copied and pasted 🤷🏼‍♀️

29/04/2025

29/04/2025

Wanting a behaviour from our dogs to stop is common. Sadly, there are so many 'trainers' who appear on television or have massive social media followings who will advocate using devices and methods that 'will stop it fast'. Let's be honest, as humans we are often results driven, so I can see why these would appeal to people who don't know why these things should not be recommended and used. The reality is that they can make the situation so much worse.

Suppressing a behaviour doesn't mean that the reasons that behaviour happened aren't still there, just that the dog can't do what they feel they need to in that situation. That can lead to increased frustration, stress, fear - depending on what the driver for that behaviour is. Think of it like a pressure cooker, adding more and more pressure, with no way to reduce that pressure. Eventually there comes a point where the pressure is just too much and boom.

If a behaviour is something we can't live with, there are things we can do without suppressing that behaviour. Manage the situation so that the dog is not in a position to practice that behaviour - for example baby gates to stop them jumping up at arriving guests or finding quiet areas to walk if your dog is uncomfortable with other dogs close up. If there is something you would prefer them to do in that situation keep using the management and then, using kind and ethical methods, teach them what you would like them to do instead. If the behaviour is not something that we can simply train an alternative for - a dog who reacts to other dogs around for example - find a behaviour consultant who uses modern and kind methods to help the dog no longer feel the need to use that behaviour.

Behaviour suppression is never the answer.

Here are links to a couple of blog posts that explore the topic a little further:

https://www.goodguardianship.com/post/the-first-question-to-ask-wtf-what-s-the-function
https://www.goodguardianship.com/post/why-we-should-look-beyond-stopping-behaviour

28/04/2025

🐶🐶
Katharine Brunsch - Tellington TTouch Practitioner P1 for Companion Animals.
Hi I’m Katharine Brunsch and I am a Canine Wellness Trainer formed from a unique blend of Tellington TTouch and Trauma Informed Dog Practitioner qualifications.
I’ve always been a massive animal lover, with numerous pets as a child and at 13 years old, I finally got my first dog, a 6-month-old rescue called Bonnie and have not been without a dog since. I have a BSc Degree in Exercise and Sports Science, and after a career in the fitness industry, I became a Police Officer.

In 2015 my TTouch journey began, initially just to help my own dogs Jinx and Keto, but it was so amazing I was hooked.
In 2019, I was unfortunately medically retired from the Police following an injury on duty. I took some time off to recover and realised I could continue my passion for helping people through Tellington TTouch.

With a deep love for animals, I am dedicated to providing compassionate and effective support to dogs and their guardians.

As a Tellington TTouch Practitioner (P1) and Trauma-Informed Dog Practitioner, I focus on the dog as a whole, considering their physical, mental, and emotional well-being rather than solely focusing on their behaviour. This holistic approach aligns perfectly with the Tellington TTouch philosophy, which also emphasises the mind-body connection in dogs.

Through my business, Canine Support, I offer 1-2-1 training, in-person workshops and presentations around Somerset and Devon, and online courses and webinars. I currently share my life with Chloe, my Spanish rescue dog, and Remi, my Bullmastiff, who both love Tellington TTouch.

I have been part of the Tellington TTouch British Isles Guild Committee for the last two years, supporting other members and helping to spread the word about Tellington TTouch through this page and the Meet the Members posts.

For more information about Katharine, please click the link in the comments below.