'DOG ENDS' NEWSLETTER
Chair – Eunice Pearson
Secretary – Pat Reynolds
Treasurer – Trudy Nye
Club Website: www.billingshurst-dtc.org
‘Dog Ends’ Editor- Susan Tindall
Email: noticeboard@billingshurst-dtc.org
Dog Ends Spring 2026
Welcome to your first edition of BDTC Dog Ends for 2026.
First exciting news;
WE HAVE A NEW PRESIDENT! We are very pleased to announce that, following the sad death of Peter Harrison, our former President, his wife Valerie has agreed to step into the role and assume the title of President of the Billingshurst Dog Training Club. Valerie has been a member of the Club since its’ very early days and has been at times variously an instructor, committee member, chairman, organiser of catering for weekend courses and many other ‘behind the scenes’ jobs over the years. At their home at Dedisham, Valerie and Peter have hosted many of our outdoor activities, indeed that was where our agility classes began and we have many reasons for which to thank the Harrison family. Unfortunately the position is in name only – there is no gold chain of office or substantial remuneration! - but I know Valerie will carry out her duties with her usual grace and charm when called upon to do so. Thank you, Valerie, for accepting the challenge. . .
Eunice Pearson Chair.
YOUR INPUT URGENTLY REQUIRED …….
The Obedience section is considering organising a talk by Kamal Fernandez (www.kamalfernandezonlinetraining.com)
Kamal is a dog trainer of over 30 year’s experience, dedicating his life to promote use of reward-based methodology. He competes and judges at high level in dog sports, particularly Heelwork, has made multiple TV appearances focusing on training and pet care. For more info. Check out website (above).
The talk is quite expensive so we need to gauge how many of you would be interested in coming. It is open to all members and possibly non-club members.
If interested please let Marion know ASAP mjclarke54@btinternet.com
Dates for your diary;
Bignor Show Agility Demo: 24th May 2026
AGM: 27th November 2026
As yet are not sure if BDTC Obedience Show will be held this year, we hope so if licence can be sorted. Provisional date is June 27th, but look out for future updates.
Please keep an eye on your Agility and Obedience notice boards and BDTC website for further information. If you need to find anything out about Billingshurst Dog Training Club, the best place is to check out the website www.billingshurst-dtc.org, which Tania keeps regularly updated.
Valerie Harrison keeps an eye out for interesting articles that may be of interest to us as dog owners/lovers. Thank you Valerie for the following article.
Does Your Dog Actually Like Hugs?
With compliments to Nutri Paw www.nutripaw.com February 16, 2026
You reach for your dog. They turn their head slightly. Look away. Maybe lick their lips.
You pull them closer anyway. They go still.
You think: they're relaxed. They're thinking: if I just wait, this will end.
Most owners have no idea this is happening. It's not their fault no one taught them what to look for. But once you see it, you can't unsee it.
The Science: Hugging is primate behaviour. We squeeze things we love—it's instinct. But dogs aren't primates. They're cursorial animals, built to move. When you wrap your arms around them, you're removing their ability to leave. Some dogs genuinely enjoy it. Many are just waiting it out.
The Difference Between Comfort and Compliance
A comfortable dog looks like this: soft body, loose muscles, maybe a sigh. They sink into you. They're choosing to be there.
A compliant dog looks like this: still body, tight muscles, turned head. They're not fighting. But they're not relaxed either. They've just learned that resistance doesn't change anything.
From the outside, these can look almost identical. The difference is everything.
The Signals You're Probably Missing
The head turn. Looks subtle. Means everything. A dog turning their face away from you is saying "not right now" in the clearest way they know how.
Lip licking. Not hunger. Stress. A quick tongue flick when there's no food around is a dog self-soothing.
Whale eye. The whites of their eyes showing in a half-moon. They're tracking you without turning toward you. This is unease.
The freeze. Complete stillness. This isn't calm it's a dog who has run out of ways to communicate and is simply enduring.
The shake-off. You let go, they shake their whole body like they just got out of water. That's a reset. A release of tension they were holding.
Try This: Next time you're cuddling your dog, drop your arms completely. No pressure at all. Do they stay? Or do they move away the moment they can? A dog who wanted to be there will stay. A dog who was tolerating it will leave.
What Dogs Who Love Cuddles Actually Look Like
Some dogs are cuddlers. Genuine, melt-into-you, never-want-to-move cuddlers. Here's how you know:
They start it. They come to you. Climb on you. Wedge themselves into your space uninvited. You didn't grab them—they chose you.
They push closer. When you shift, they shift with you. When you loosen your arms, they press in deeper.
They sigh. That long exhale when they settle against you. That's not fatigue it's contentment leaving the body as sound.
If this is your dog, enjoy it. They're telling you exactly what they want and you're giving it to them.
Why Some Dogs Hate It
It's rarely personal. Usually, it's one of these:
Breed. Independent breeds Akitas, Shibas, many terriers—tend to value space. It's not coldness. It's just how they're wired.
History. Rescue dogs who've been grabbed, restrained, or handled roughly may associate tight holds with threat. Their body remembers even when their life has changed.
Personality. Some dogs just aren't touchy. Same as people. Doesn't mean they love you less they just show it differently.
What Happens When You Start Paying Attention
Something interesting happens when you notice these signals and respond to them.
Your dog stops bracing. They stop watching for the grab. They settle more easily around you—not because you're holding them, but because they've learned you're paying attention.
And often—not always, but often—the dog who didn't want cuddles starts choosing to sit closer. Lean against you. Stay in your space a little longer.
Not because you made them. Because they wanted to.
The Bottom Line
A dog who melts into your arms is a beautiful thing. But so is a dog who lies at your feet. Or leans against your leg in the kitchen. Or just wants to be in the same room as you.
Love doesn't have to look like a hug. Sometimes it looks like presence. Sometimes it looks like space.
Your dog has been telling you what they need. Now you know how to hear them.
Quick Read:
✅ Soft body, sighing, staying = comfort
✅ Stiff body, head turn, leaving = tolerance
✅ They initiate = they want it
✅ They endure = they don't
✅ The shake-off = tension release
P.S. The best cuddlers are the ones who chose to be there. Give your dog room to choose—you might be surprised what they decide.
“Valerie is right to bring this to our attention, I wonder how many people actually are aware of our real feelings when it comes to physical contact? I am a dog who likes human contact when & in what place I want it, not all the time” Dog Editor /Consultant Kara
BDTC Payments
The best way to pay your membership/course fees is online. It is the quickest and easiest way to pay the club.
For anybody who wants to take advantage of this payment system, here are the bank details.
Sort code: 30 94 41 Account number: 01678041. Billingshurst Dog Training Club.
Contact Trudy at treasurer@billingshurst-dtc.org for more details.
BDTC Charity Donation 2025
In February (2026), we invited Cath from Clymping Dog Sanctuary to join us at Chephurst Farm to be presented with a cheque for £1,100 from Catherine Brown our new BDTC Charity representative. This money was raised by club members over 2025 at events hosted by both Obedience and Agility sections for the charity which was nominated at our 2024 AGM. Cath expressed her thanks on behalf of all the dogs that come into the charity’s care. Without donations they would be unable to continue to help so many. More photos and comments can be seen on CDS’s Facebook page
If you know of a dog related charitable organization that would appreciate a boost from our fund raising, do nominate them to Catherine, a charity is voted for each year at our AGM in November.
Tail Note;
A great big THANK YOU to Neil who has been working busily behind the scenes, taking over from much missed Graham, in many roles including as Editor of Dog Ends. To spread the workload a little I have agreed to take over as Editor of ‘Dog Ends’. This is my first issue.
This is your BDTC Member magazine so please let me know your news. Share your successes and highlights about you and your dog/s, or information that you think will interest other members. Please send any info. to noticeboard@billingshurst-dtc.org
Kara will be helping edit to ensure we have enough info about our most important 4 legged team partners, so get thinking and send in your news. Thanks very much to those who have contributed to this edition. Best wishes, Susan x & Kara x (Ed)
(Please note BDTC cannot be held responsible for any information found on any links on the BDTC website!)
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