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It's going to be a beautiful morning pretty much everywhere in the country - so let's get as many kids and their families as possible out of their cars and walking/riding/scooting for this morning's school run. Tell us about it: what are you going to do; how does it work for you? How… View moreIt's going to be a beautiful morning pretty much everywhere in the country - so let's get as many kids and their families as possible out of their cars and walking/riding/scooting for this morning's school run. Tell us about it: what are you going to do; how does it work for you? How does it differ from your memories of footing it to school as a kid?
An important plank of our Foot It campaign this year has been to encourage councils to lower speed limits outside schools. Families and schools have been enthusiastic about our initiatives to make it easier for kids to get out of the car. And when we wrote to all New Zealand's mayors in February, they offered resounding support: many wrote back promising to do their best to lower speeds, but cautioning that their hands were tied by NZ Transport Agency rules that (extraordinarily) stood in the way of lower speed limits.
Now, the Government has stepped up too: Associate transport minister Craig Foss has announced new Speed Management Guidelines that will make it simpler for councils to lower speeds on the roads that are busiest with cyclists and pedestrians. Read more from this weekend's Sunday Star-Times: www.stuff.co.nz...
We welcome this. So last week, we wrote to the mayors again (many of whom are new to the roles after the local body elections) challenging them to commit to putting lower speed limits outside schools on their council agendas in the first half of 2017. The Sunday Star-Times and Stuff will report their responses, whether they be good or gutless.
It's not just about the Government and councils, though: it's about taking responsibility as communities and individuals. So take the initiative: bylaw or no bylaw, if enough of us voluntarily slow down as we drive past schools in our towns and neighbourhoods, that will slow other traffic and make our streets safer for our kids.
TODAY'S WEATHER: We've attached the MetService rain map for this morning. In short, it's a great day to walk, ride or scoot to school with your kids, anywhere in the country. But this afternoon, a pile of rain is going to land, splash, in the middle of the North Island and Hawke's Bay. Don't say you weren't warned ....
THE FOOT IT PLEDGE: We're all busy - but many of us can find ONE day a week when we can scoot or walk with our kids to school. So make the pledge!
Join one of our Neighbourly Foot It clubs - the Monday Club, Tuesday Club, Wednesday Club, Thursday Club or Friday Club – and you'll go into the draw to win one of 50 Micro scooters, valued at up to $179.95 each. www.neighbourly.co.nz...
THE SUNDAY STAR-TIMES SAYS:
* Families: Choose one day a week when you walk, scoot or ride with your kids to and from school.
* Schools: Set up walking buses, with parents and volunteers helping local kids get to class safely.
* Councils: Create and enforce lower speed zones outside every school.
TELL US YOUR STORIES: What's the most memorable experience you or your kids have had while commuting to school? Share your story at Stuff Nation and go into the draw for 20 more Micro scooters. www.stuff.co.nz...
BE SAFE: Tips for a safe school run. www.microscooters.co.nz...
The quake ravaged community of Waiau finally got some time to have some fun and catch up with neighbours in a relaxed atmosphere, thanks to local emergency services, Lions and the Hurunui District Council.
Check it out: www.stuff.co.nz...
New shops are opening in the city centre. Read about the new stores in the ANZ Centre here: bit.ly... and the BNZ Centre here: bit.ly...
Will you be coming into the city for your Christmas shopping?
We’ve supported junior football in New Zealand for over a decade – helping thousands of kids, their coaches and parents kick-start dreams. We've also been recognising the people who make it happen; over 6000 coaches around the country who give up their time every season to support their … View moreWe’ve supported junior football in New Zealand for over a decade – helping thousands of kids, their coaches and parents kick-start dreams. We've also been recognising the people who make it happen; over 6000 coaches around the country who give up their time every season to support their communities. A special congratulations to our 2016 Junior Football Coaches of the Year! Recognise anyone in your community?
We want to get even more Kiwi kids outdoors this summer and practicing their football skills for next season. That’s why we’ve partnered with Neighbourly to give away 60 football and bottle prize packs! Find out how to win!
Kiwi kids thrive on playing outdoors. Whether it's climbing trees, kicking a ball or building a hut, getting outside and exploring our backyards is part of who we are. So we've partnered with our friends at McDonald's to celebrate this New Zealand rite of passage. All you have to do … View moreKiwi kids thrive on playing outdoors. Whether it's climbing trees, kicking a ball or building a hut, getting outside and exploring our backyards is part of who we are. So we've partnered with our friends at McDonald's to celebrate this New Zealand rite of passage. All you have to do is share a photo below of the smallest members of your family outdoors with their football and you could win one of 60 football and bottle prize packs.
Please note: any photos shared below may star on Stuff.co.nz next week! Your football loving Kiwi kid could be famous!
Post your photo below to enter the draw.
T&Cs apply.
As we approach the puppy season I thought some of you may wish to read this article on socialising your puppy.
SOCIALISATION
Follow your dog's lead. Walk away if he is uncomfortable.
Pet parents are bombarded with:
“You’re a terrible owner if you don’t allow your dog to greet … View moreAs we approach the puppy season I thought some of you may wish to read this article on socialising your puppy.
SOCIALISATION
Follow your dog's lead. Walk away if he is uncomfortable.
Pet parents are bombarded with:
“You’re a terrible owner if you don’t allow your dog to greet other dogs.”
“The socialisation window closes before 16 weeks so hurry and meet as many dogs as possible”
“Dogs must meet 100 new dogs before a certain age.”
These statements are valid, but it’s important to add limitations and boundaries first. Follow these dog socialising tops and be their voice.
WHAT IS SOCIALISATION?
Socialisation means puppies and dogs learn how to interact within their worlds.
Socialisation is vital. Each interaction must be tailored to your dog’s personality with the purpose of teaching him how to interact within his world with confidence.
GREETING: ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE
Greeting means a dog walks directly over to another dog with the purpose of engagement. During socialisation, puppies and dogs are learning how to politely meet (engage) and end (disengage) greetings. Not all dogs are polite greeters. They can be downright rude by invading space, staring or being too rough. This is where disengaging becomes tricky. It’s kind of hard to move away from a rude greeter while on leash so some dogs will resort to threatening behaviours to make the rude dog go away. Now, your confused disengager learns threats work and is the normal way to disengage.
LIVING WITH A GREGARIOUS GREETER
Note soft eyes, open mouth and slight panting movement forward.
Not all dogs are comfortable meeting a gregarious greeter. Always stop 5 metres away and ask first. It’s the polite thing to do. If the other dog looks uncomfortable or scared, walk away quickly. Sticking around will make it much worse.
Think of it from a human perspective. Do you shake hands with everyone shopping at the grocery store?
“Hi I see you’re buying grapefruit today. My name is Janice”
“Oh I buy that type of toilet paper too! My name is Janice”
Could you imagine?! You would think I’m nuts, right? But what if I followed you down an aisle saying “But I want to meet you. My name is Janice!!” Creepy, especially for people not comfortable meeting strangers!!
Instead, while shopping at the grocery store, we make eye contact with a stranger, smile, nod and continue walking past him. When walking past, provide plenty of room by turning sideways, walking down a different aisle or politiely allowing a stranger to walk past you because it’s human etiquette. This works in the dog world too!!
MY DOG IS A WALLFLOWER
“'Stay away please!"
He’s not sure. Hence the backwards lean (away from you), mouth closed (no panting), still body and wide eyes.
If your dog finds greeting other dogs stressful, it’s okay. All dogs are individuals. Some are introverts while others are extroverts just like people. An introverted person (withdrawn from strangers) finds attending parties with lots of people tortuous. Remember, people are able to control their outcomes. Dogs can’t unless their pet parents notice their uncomfortable behaviour around strange dogs or people.
When a dog is forced to meet another dog, scuffles or fights often break out because one dog is not comfortable meeting another dog and tries to disengage using threats. Note, it only takes one scary incident for a dog to become terrified of other dogs. The vicious cycle begins. Well-meaning pet owners forcibly socialise their newly terrified dogs to fix the aggressive issue, which only makes it worse. Pet owners say “My dog was really good with other dogs before. He must need more socialisation, right?” This will only make the situation worse.
Never introduce a known aggressive dog to another dog, as this is a recipe for disaster. Socialising known “dog aggressive” dogs will not make our dog better, It will make him much worse. He’s practicing this behaviour and we all know practice makes perfect. Plus, there’s a really good chance the other dog, now having had a terrible experience, is afraid of other dogs too.
Instead, enrol newly terrified and dog aggressive dogs with a professional dog trainer or animal behaviourist. By partnering with a professional, your dog will learn confidence around other dogs while developing skills to engage and disengage greetings without resorting to threats. All dogs benefit from learning these skills.
SOCIALISATION WITH BOUNDARIES.
“Can we leave? I’m not comfortable.”. Note leaning away from you holding one foot up, ears pulled down and back and worried eyes.
Tip One: Follow your puppy’s or dog’s lead. If he’s not comfortable meeting another dog, walk away (before they greet). You’re teaching polite disengaging behaviour by saying “Hi” from, a distance and politely walking away (remember the nods at the grocery store).
Tip Two: After his first vaccination series, enrol your puppy in a Positive Puppy Manners class, with a professional dog trainer. If your puppy chooses not to play with other puppies, it’s okay. He probably enjoys human contact more than puppy play!!
Allow your dog to choose his friends.
Sometimes, dogs and puppies love to play with certain dogs like your neighbours or sister’s dog. but he’s not comfortable playing with other dogs. That’s okay too. Personally I have a tiny group of friends while my sister has unlimited friends, and we came from the same litter.
Tip Three: When accidentally meeting another dog on leash, allow them to briefly greet for two seconds, then walk away. You’re interrupting the greeting to keep it positive and teaching polite disengaging behaviours. By keeping greetings short with strange dogs, it prevents rude behaviour from sneaking up.
Tip Four: If a person and his dog are making a beeline towards you dog, say “We’re training, sorry,” and step away, turn around or cross the street. Trust me, you’re not being rude by moving away from the approaching pair, you’re speaking up for your dog and he thanks you. As for the beelining dog and person, they’re learning that not all dogs should meet, which is a good thing!
I know this is a controversial topic and you can never go wrong by following your dog’s lead. Always socialise, but put a few boundaries in place first.
Do you have your basic supplies ready if you are stuck at home or have to leave in a hurry? Make a plan today to work out what you need, who can help you and who might need your help.
www.happens.nz...
Hi Does anyone have any of those large plastic blue 200L drums they no longer want? I think they are made by a place called collier-watson...
Please pm me or text 02040641485 if you can help
Neded to store water for my ducks and rescued ducks.
(Www.facebook.com/uninhibitedducks)
We love to give back to our local communities! Give Local is a campaign which offers kind-spirited customers, like you, to easily donate non-perishable food items and health products to local charities who find Christmas a tough time of year.
Show your support and tell your neighbours, friends … View moreWe love to give back to our local communities! Give Local is a campaign which offers kind-spirited customers, like you, to easily donate non-perishable food items and health products to local charities who find Christmas a tough time of year.
Show your support and tell your neighbours, friends and family to look out for specially-marked Give Local trolleys in all SuperValue stores throughout New Zealand.
You have until New Years’ Day to drop-off your contributions. We look forward to seeing you in-store!
We love to give back to our local communities! Give Local is a campaign which offers kind-spirited customers, like you, to easily donate non-perishable food items and health products to local charities who find Christmas a tough time of year.
Show your support and tell your neighbours, friends … View moreWe love to give back to our local communities! Give Local is a campaign which offers kind-spirited customers, like you, to easily donate non-perishable food items and health products to local charities who find Christmas a tough time of year.
Show your support and tell your neighbours, friends and family to look out for specially-marked Give Local trolleys in all FreshChoice stores throughout New Zealand.
You have until New Years’ Day to drop-off your contributions. We look forward to seeing you in-store!
Europen Oak Cabinet
This is a beautiful cabinet that is a stand out in any home, lots of storage and a lovely place to show of your special glasses, the glass cabinet has a light in it. This is a one off and was imported from Holland.We are down sizing so reluctantly it has to go.
No one knows when or where earthquakes will occur, but everyone can be prepared.
The simplest thing you can do to keep your family safe in a quake is to secure objects and furniture. This reduces the chance they will fall over causing injury or damage.
Click here to see how easy it is to … View moreNo one knows when or where earthquakes will occur, but everyone can be prepared.
The simplest thing you can do to keep your family safe in a quake is to secure objects and furniture. This reduces the chance they will fall over causing injury or damage.
Click here to see how easy it is to make your home safer in an earthquake.
Owing to recent events (the quakes) and resulting commitments for some of us we've had to postpone the followup meeting about re-establishing the Waimakariri Timebank that we'd scheduled for next Tuesday 29th November. We will hold this in the year probably early February.
You know how your ment to eat 5+ a day . Been drumming it into our heads scince forever ... But do you ? How about 30+ a day ? Juice plus is a small capsual of fruit vegies and berries , its not a medicine and its not a supplement its just pure dried goodness of fruit and veg ! How about FREE … View moreYou know how your ment to eat 5+ a day . Been drumming it into our heads scince forever ... But do you ? How about 30+ a day ? Juice plus is a small capsual of fruit vegies and berries , its not a medicine and its not a supplement its just pure dried goodness of fruit and veg ! How about FREE chews for the kids when you order yours ?
With the launch of the Foot It campaign, we've all been talking about walking, cycling and scooting to school, and you've been coming up with some great ideas to support our kids.
But for some families it's not an option - especially if you live in a rural area, or your kids go to a… View moreWith the launch of the Foot It campaign, we've all been talking about walking, cycling and scooting to school, and you've been coming up with some great ideas to support our kids.
But for some families it's not an option - especially if you live in a rural area, or your kids go to a school on the other side of town. So tell us the main mode of transport by which your children or grandchildren commute.
Plus: Don't forget to join up to a Foot It Club at www.neighbourly.co.nz..., and go into the draw to WIN one of 50 Micro scooters.
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