Thursday, April 11, 2013

Obedience Comes With A Bit Of Training

As a dog owner you have a responsibility to teach your dog to behave properly. A dog does not instinctively know right from wrong. You can use the tips that have been provided in this article to learn how to properly train your dog so that they are well behaved.

When training your dog to walk on a leash, remember that your dog should follow where you lead, not the other way around. Dogs are pack animals, and the leader of the pack always travels in front. You want your dog to see you as the leader, so they need to learn to walk behind you.

When you are first starting out in training your dog, try to schedule the training sessions to take place at about the same time every day. If you are making the training sessions a positive experience and doing them on a schedule, your dog will start to look forward to the sessions and enjoy them more.

Remember that sometimes patience is key, don't become frustrated if your dog doesn't catch on right away. It would be nice if every dog could understand your every command but you have to remember they can't. Just try and be sure you are aware of your dog's emotions and when they do follow your command reward them so they know what they did was right.

Consider moving your voice up or down in a specific manner associated with individual commands, to help your dog remember them better. Dogs are fantastic at understanding pitch differences, even more than understanding the sounds of the words. So if you alter your voice slightly when you say a certain command, the dog will be more likely to remember what to do.

Having a well-behaved dog is a great joy that can only be achieved through proper training. The information that has been provided can be used as a guideline when training your dog. If you are persistent with the dog's training, you should notice a change in their behavior in a short amount of time.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Have Questions About Your Dog? Get Answers Here

Your dog is always there for you. No matter what, a dog will do what it takes to make sure you are alright. He always looks out for you, always wants your attention, and is always happy with you. Shouldn't you see what you can do for him? Here are some tips to help you be a great owner for your dog.

If you are looking for a great family pet, but are on a budget, consider rescuing an animal.You can get one at a local shelter for minimal costs and the dog will come with a clean bill of health and all his shots. If you are interested in a specific breed, contact a rescue group specializing in only those pooches.

If you have a dog, it is your responsibility to clean up behind him or her. Keeping some plastic bags by the front door will help remind you to bring them along on your walk. It can be embarrassing when you forget your little baggie, and in some places you can also be fined.

Make sure there is one policy in your home for giving your dog table scraps. While some owners do not give their dog any table food at all, yet others wait until the family meal is done. This causes less confusion on the part of your dog, and makes meals much easier for your family.

Always be prepared to pick up after your dog with a scoop and bag. Although most people think that this is simply a polite thing to do so that others don't step in it, your dog's excrement is actually hazardous!
It contains a bacterium that can contaminate local supplies when it washes through to ground water.

Your dog does his best to make sure you are happy. There can be no question that he places you above anyone else. That's why this article was written, to make sure that you return the favor. Use the tips laid out here to help you to be the kind of owner your dog deserves.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

How To Effectively Homeschool Your Children

In recent years, there have been millions of parents who have turned to homeschooling. The reasons vary, but homeschooling is a legitimate option that can actually offer a better education than a public school in some cases. If you have considered homeschooling, there are things you need to know. Check out these tips to help you make the most of homeschooling.

Adopt your methods to the personality of your child. You could create an environment and use methods similar to what a public school teacher would do, but if you believe your child needs a different kind of environment, be create and develop your own method. Read textbooks on different teaching methods if you need to.

It is crucial when homeschooling children not to underestimate the importance of socialization. Eventually, your children will need to go out and function in and with the general public. Enrolling them in local clubs, youth programs or summer sports is an easy way to ensure that they have an opportunity to build important social skills like sharing, teamwork and leadership.

It is important to incorporate recess into your homeschooling routine. Recess at public schools are becoming shorter and shorter, but it is an important time for your child. It is a time for them to expel their extra energy, which enables them to concentrate better while they are learning. Try to incorporate a few of these breaks in your child's day.

Any effort you spend on creating homeschooling activities for toddlers is not wasted. Prior to starting homeschooling, try spending time with your little one. Reserve some toys and materials like coloring books, crayons, and paper for school time use. Use your own judgment when determining what is safe and effective for your toddler's activities.

Make no mistake, homeschooling is a serious decision that needs to be thought about carefully. It takes a lot of time and a real commitment from both the student and the teacher. Homeschooling has its rewards, though, and if you have what it takes, consider taking the plunge. You child's education is vital to their success.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

K2, Spice, Synthetic Marijuana's Devastating Side Effects

Photo Courtesy of DrugAddictionTreatment.com

"People who smoke spice or any other fake marijuana blend would be terrified if they could see what this drug does to the human body, even in small doses." -- Addiction Counseling Specialist

Synthetic Marijuana blends, such as K2 and SPICE, have now been around and in high-popularity for about five years now. Before these drugs hit the shelves, no one could have imagined that a drug that was created as a legal form of marijuana (a drug with very few side effects, and not many of them severe), would have such devastating and severe side effects. This spice drug is made up of plant material, resembling marijuana, that is sprayed with various chemicals that are engineered to give the same effect as a marijuana "high." These chemicals do not even need to be specified on the packaging, as the products is marketed as a "potpourri," and labeled: "not for human consumption." This is where the true danger of the drug reveals itself -- no one really knows for sure what the chemicals involved actually are.

The side effects from smoking or ingesting this drug, however, are well documented. After five years of emergency room visits, overdoses, and poisonings, medical professionals have a pretty clear picture of what spice and bath salts drug abuse truly does to the body.

The damaging effects of this drug can easily be seen by examining a user's lungs. After only a few weeks of mild usage of the drug, the lungs display severe damage in the form of lowered lung capacity, tissue scarring, tar buildup, and even bleeding. Whatever chemicals are truly in the majority of these spice blends, they tear through the lungs like glass.

Another side effect of  spice drugs -- and possibly the most severe of effects -- is how the heart and circulatory system is affected. After only one "hit" of spice drug smoke, blood pressure can quickly double, reaching dangerous levels often seen in hypertensive patients. This elevated blood pressure often comes with constant pain in the extremities (usually the hands and legs), or tingling and numbness of the skin. Like any other type of elevated blood pressure issues, the risk of heart disease, failure, and heart attack becomes very real at these levels. What this means, is that whereas it is impossible to overdose on actual marijuana, the risk of death from spice drugs is present even in first time and occasional users.

To learn more about the additional dangerous side effects of K2 and Spice synthetic marijuanas, or for tips on getting clean from these dangerous drugs, visit: