November 2021

Allowing a dog to utilise their acute sense of smell is important for their well-being, says Colin Spence, who runs dog training classes in Snaresbrook and now offers scent detection workshops for all breeds

Have you ever wondered why your dog likes to smell everything, especially when something is new to their home environment or out on their daily exercise? They will sniff practically anything they come across. This is so they can gather as much information from the environment around them as possible. Every sniff tells a story!

A dog’s nasal cavity is divided into two chambers. Both these chambers open into two nostrils, also known as nares, that can work independently and take in smells separately. When dogs are sniffing, particles and compounds get trapped in the nasal cavities by mucus and the scent receptor cells process the smells, giving the dog lots of information about the world around them.

A dog can have somewhere in the region of up to 300 million scent receptor cells, whereas we humans have around five million, so you can see why a dog’s nose is far superior to that of humans, and why dogs rely on their noses more than their sight. The sense of sight is of utmost importance in humans, so human brains spend more time interpreting visual data than smells. Dog brains are just the opposite, focusing on what the dog smells more than what they see.

So, when you next take your dog out to exercise, please allow them time to sniff and gather information from their environment, just like we do from the internet or social media! By allowing our dogs to sniff, they are being enriched with dopamine and feeling good and not stressed.

For decades now, man has used dogs and their wonderful noses to find missing people. And the police service still trains and uses dogs to find drugs and locate counterfeit money. In more recent times, we have even started using dogs to detect certain medical conditions, and even more recently, to detect COVID symptoms. We also have dogs that can detect bombs and so much more, which, when you think about it, is just so amazing.

The thing is, all dogs have the ability to be trained to find specific objects. It does not matter if it’s a young puppy or an older dog, or a dog that is challenged by its environment and dislikes humans or other dogs. They all have a nose and a great sense of smell, and enjoy using them daily.

Pet dogs can have fun learning and being mentally stimulated when trained in detecting lower level things, like the red Kong dog toy, cloves, gun oil, keys, mobile phones and much more. So, please allow your dogs to use that lovely nose of theirs and sniff away.

Colin’s K9 Training Services run scent detection workshops for dogs of all breeds and ages, alongside general puppy and dog training classes at the Scout Hut, 72 Hollybush Hill, Snaresbrook. For more information, visit wnstd.com/colinsk9

Saint Francis Hospice is seeking to recruit a new team leader for its Wanstead shop.

“An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our team of professional retailers in this multi-site charity retail business. The team leader will support volunteer workers to achieve sales targets, follow operational and digital processes and demonstrate the hospice’s values,” said a spokesperson.

The charity – based in Havering-atte-Bower – is also looking for a Redbridge-wide cluster manager.

Visit wnstd.com/sfhjobs

The Poppy Pantry – a cafe in the grounds of the City of London Cemetery – closed last month following the City of London Corporation’s decision to end its lease.

It follows a petition to save the family-run business which received more than 6,000 signatures.

The venue’s lease has been awarded to the charity Royal Voluntary Service, which, with its network of cafes and shops, is one of the largest retailers in the NHS.

The new operators are expected to refurbish the premises and create a new menu.

Eight activists from Wanstead Climate Action are travelling to Glasgow this month to add pressure on world leaders at COP26, the international climate summit.

“We want a fair and rapid transition to a fossil-free world. The answers and technology already exist. All that’s lacking is the political will,” said Tina Nieman Da Costa. The group will also be joining a national day of action on 6 November, including a family-friendly event at St John’s Church in Leytonstone from 12 noon to 4pm.

Visit wnstd.com/climate

The Wren Wildlife Group’s practical work sessions have resumed in Wanstead Park (first Sunday of the month and most Thursdays, from 10am to 12.30pm).

“We carry out a variety of tasks including clearing scrub, keeping paths open, and various pieces of work as requested by the City of London. For example, we are clearing alder regrowth on the banks of the Ornamental Water in Wanstead Park… You need no particular expertise or strength… We just need some enthusiasm,” said a spokesperson.

Call 07716 034 164

Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday commemorations will take place in Wanstead this month.

Residents are invited to a service at the Snaresbrook Garden of Remembrance on 11 November (arrive by 10.45am). This will be followed by a gathering at the Wanstead War Memorial on 14 November (arrive by 12.15pm).

“From the hymns and wreath-laying through to the sounding of the last post by a lone bugler, I am always struck by the solemnity and peacefulness of both occasions,” said organiser Colin Cronin.

The Wanstead Society has launched a series of videos on its Facebook page to help explain the work it does.

The first video showcases Marian Temple and her achievements with the Wanstead Community Gardeners.

“Next year is our 25th anniversary and we wanted to do something to highlight our projects to a wider audience. We hope these mini videos will help explain what we do and why. The next video will outline our work on planning and conservation,” said chair of the Wanstead Society Scott Wilding.

Visit wnstd.com/wsvids

A message from Jim and Sue Carroll, organisers of the Poppy Appeal in Wanstead: “Good news for this year – the poppy collection is back! All of the shops on the High Street that usually take part will have poppies available until 14 November.”

“However, the Metropolitan Police are only allowing us collectors two days (12 and 13 November) to be out pounding the pavements. Also, this year, Poppy Man Jim will have a card reader for anyone who wants to make a non-cash donation to the Royal British Legion.”