FEATURES HOW DOGS COMMUNICATE The greatest gift we can give our puppies, is to learn ‘dog’. They’re always giving us information about how they’re feeling, we really need to be able to understand them. There are approximately 16 body language signs displayed before a dog resorts to using their teeth. If these early signs are missed or misunderstood then they will, over time, learn to skip them and escalate. All body language is contextual and normally accompanied by other signs. An Anxious dog may display - A lip or nose lick when they haven’t just eaten, a wide yawn when they aren’t tired, flattened ears, a raised front paw, have sweaty paws, be pacing back and forth and show the whites of their eyes (called whale eye). Solution – This dog is not happy with whatever they’re experiencing at this time. Either remove the reason why or put some distance between them and the cause of their anxiety. If they come to you for comfort, then provide it. A Scared dog may display - a crouched tense body, lowered head, tail tucked tightly under their body, may be lying down with a raised paw, unable to take food, possibly urinating, maybe growling and have raised hackles (an involuntary action, much like goosebumps in humans, known as piloerection). A dog that is on their hind legs or lunging towards a stimulus and making a lot of noise could also be scared. Solution – This dog needs distance immediately, either remove them or the reason they’re scared. This dog may snap or bite at their lead or the person holding the lead or at the source of their fear. With this dog, we would work on building their confidence and desensitising them to their triggers. An Excited dog may display - pricked ears, tail held high which may be wagging quickly in a helicopter motion, offer a bow position, eyes focused on the source of excitement, mouth may be open and panting, body is poised ready to go, vocalising in a high pitch and may have the ‘Zoomies’ (running around like a complete hooligan!) Solution - This dog needs to calm down as over arousal may lead to inappropriate mouthing or rough play. If out on a walk, pop them back on their lead and do calm sniffing games. If at home, provide a tasty chew or a loaded Lickimat to calm them down. Julie Williams APDT IMDT South Wales Dog Training Academy
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CHRISTMAS JUST AROUND THE CORNER! It may be a little way off just yet but yes, Christmas is coming and once again the Rotarian Posties are warming their thermals, because they are ready, willing and able to deliver your Rotary stamped Christmas cards in order to raise money for Rotary charities! So, if you are writing your Christmas cards early, DON’T POST THEM YET! From 8th November to 6th December, our Rotary ‘Posties’ will collect, sort and deliver Christmas post with specially designed Rotary Christmas stamps. You will be able to buy Rotary Christmas stamps from participating local outlets and post your cards in special Rotary Post boxes at the stores to addresses in the CF36 postal area … and still for only 25p! Please remember that cards can only be posted at the stores and can only be delivered to Porthcawl CF36 addresses. The stamps can be bought and cards posted at the following stores: GREETINGS @ MAPLE JOHN STREET WALTERS SHOES JOHN STREET D.H. EDWARDS WELL STREET NOTTAGE STORES NOTTAGE VILLAGE GENERAL STORES THE PRECINCT REST BAY PARC STORES CILPARC SHOE 22 STATION HILL THE PANTRI BOX NEWTON VILLAGE The Club is very grateful for the goodwill of the stores and the generosity of the public. Rtn Robert Lee
THROUGH CHRISTIAN EYES The clocks go back one hour at the end of October. This year British Summer Time ends on Sunday, 31st October. One way to remember to put the clock forward or back is the saying “Spring Forward, Fall Back”. Nowadays with the advances of electronics and technology many of our instruments and appliances do it for us without our help. This time of year the clock changes seems to make the nights darker earlier and can be a gloomy thing, so put your lights on to brighten up your outlook, and look forward to the bright and cheerful lights of Christmas coming soon. After all, Jesus is the light of the world. Time is a fascinating construct. We measure our time by our life on earth, by its circuit around the sun and its approximately 24hour axis spin. Days and years are longer on other planets. At present human beings seem to live at most 120 earth years. Yet the promise of Jesus is everlasting life in a new and eternal body for those who will put their trust in Him. (John 3:16) If you would like to know more about following the Lord Jesus Christ please contact us at faith@gilgal.co.uk. Rev. Martin Gillard Gilgal Baptist Church.
