Sunday, January 16, 2011

Home Office - Designing For the Senses



Your Essential Requirements For Controlling and Containing Your Dog

You think that once you've spent a lot of money on the purchase of your dog, you don't need to worry about maintaining the happiness, control and containment of your dog.

There is a mass of tools at your disposal to help keep your dog out of trouble and safe. Here are a the supplies you need to avoid any sort of mischief.

The Basic requirements are:

An Appointment with the vet
Collar
Crate- consider maybe a second for car travel
A fence
Food and Water Dishes
Leashes- one 6 foot long leash possibly retractable. Buy a leash that feels comfortable in your hand rather than what matches your dogs collar
Toys
Chewing items
Soft treats for training.
Gate
Aversives- at least 6 of each type you use - noise water or taste.
Draglines at least on 6-8 foot and one 25-50 foot.

There are many things to use to help your dog realize if they have made a mistake. You want something that is aversive and something your dog doesn't like and will work hard to avoid- but not harmful. It will depend on your dogs personality in what you choose to use, so you'll have to experiment to see what is most effective for your dog.

The more common types of aversities are noisemakers such as shaker bottles (half gallon sized plastic milk jugs with small coins inside with the top taped shut). Throw chains are also a common favourite or spray guns with a stream set that can be used to deter or interrupt your dog from bad behavior as long as they don't start to use the stream of water as something they can play with!

For particularly unwanted mouthy behavior such as excessive barking chewing or play biting you may want to use something that your dog finds tastes bad. Examples you can use and are quite popular are Tabasco, vinegar, bitter apple, lemon or human breath spray. As long as you have a good supply when you are with your dog instead of having to go looking for something whilst they make a mess of your carpet.

Indoor confinement options will help your dog housebreaking and also help prevent any damage to your property from any excessive chewing or clawing.

When you are out of the house you will probably want to crate your dog and when you get home but are too busy and occupied with other things to be able to pay attention to your dog. A study crate is the easiest way to stop your dog from being destructive. When it comes to housebreaking, a crate is essential. There are a few basic types.

The most common are plastic airline crates and wire crates. The one you choose will depend on your budget and decor. It may be a good idea to get a crate that will fit him as an adult. Wire crates usually have panels that can be used to adjust the size of the crate. To decide the size, work out how much space your dog needs to stand up, lie down and turn around.

Gates can be used to keep your dog in the same room as you and also keep him away from out of bound areas of the house. They are an easy way to give your dog some more space without having him running all around your house.

Gates come in a wide variety of sizes, functions and price. If you have an open floor plan, you may have to be creative with your choice. You can easily make custom sized gates from PVC lattice fence panels that you can buy at most home improvement stores. The most versatile are probably the 4" x 8". Attach them with cable ties cut them for a custom fit.

Finally, draglines and tethers can help you control your dog by reducing his options and keeping him close to you.

Tethers are about 2-4 feet and are used to keep the dog in one specific area. One end is attached to your dogs collar, and the other is attached to something that can't be dragged away such as a sturdy piece of furniture. While you are buying tethers pick up some leash snaps and some of the soft and strong nylon climbing rope to make your draglines.

You'll need enough rope to make several draglines- 6-8 foot length indoors and 25-50 outside. Draglines are any easy way to give your dog a bit more of supervised freedom whist at the same time you are keeping him under control.

If you want to allow your dog access to the outside you'll need to keep him in the yard. There are a few choices of outside containment such as invisible or electronic fences, portable kennels and solid fences. If your dog tries to dig under your fence, then try burying chicken wire, metal hardware cloth, or concrete landscape pavers a foot deep along the fence line to provide an underground barrier. If your dog climbs over just try putting an additional foot of fencing and angle it inwards to your yard.

Although you want to give your dog as much fresh air as possible and being kept in the yard may seem like a good idea, until your dog is quite well trained, he shouldn't be spending too much time in your yard unsupervised.

For More Information On Dog Obedience Training please visit http://mydoggiesupplies.com



Quick and Easy Ways to Pick Winners at The Dog Track

Not everyone has the time or the energy to really handicap a program. So, what do you do if you want to just have a good time, pick a few winners, and not lose your shirt at the track? Is there a way to do this?

Well, of course, the more time and effort you put into learning the basics of handicapping, the more accurate you'll be at picking dogs. But even a newbie can learn some simple tricks that will help him go home with more money rather than less.

For one thing, stick with small, simple bets. Win bets are best. Don't be suckered into betting show bets, thinking that you'll have 3 chances to cash in, instead of 1. Although it's true that show bets pay off if the dog wins, places or shows, they don't pay well enough to cover the times they don't come in.

If you have friends who go to the track often, ask them for advice, but don't rely totally on it. Notice if they're winning or losing before you put your money on what they're betting on. Sometimes, if several people go to the track together, and some of them are pretty good handicappers, it makes sense to combine your money on bets.

If someone in your group is good at picking winners, you could pool your money and wheel that dog in a trifecta. If it wins, you all win at least a little bit. And with several people putting money together, the bets don't cost anyone too much.

You could also buy a cheap handicapping system, but if you only go to the track occasionally, don't buy an expensive one. There's no point in spending hundreds of dollars on a system if you're not going to have a chance to make that money back.

Keep your bets small. Don't bring more money with you than you can comfortably lose. Treat the outing as entertainment, rather than a money-making venture. Above all, have fun and learn as much as you can about picking winners, so that you can win even more next time you go to the dog track.

Make money betting on dog races with the best greyhound handicapping systems and tips, starting at just $5! Read free articles written by someone who has spent 40 years "going to the dogs."

You don't have to pay a fortune to win at the dog track at http://mydoggiesupplies.com.



Home Office - Designing For the Senses

When designing your home office for ultimate productivity and success it's important that you consider each of your five senses. By approaching your project in a comprehensive manner you will layer the effectiveness and ensure a positive reaction by all those who interact in the space. Each of us learns in a different manner, some of us are visuals, others auditory and others kinesthetic, by designing for the senses, you truly design universally.

Sight: Seeing Business Take Off

The magic of color. Use company colors to best advantage. Reinforce your brand image with the colors you have selected. Whether it is an accent wall, or a blow up of your logo on the wall, or maybe even using your logo on your office chair, all are valued ways to reinforce your brand image and remind you of your focus. (This is similar to selecting a screen saver of your logo or website.)

Color psychology sells! Consider the psychology of color in your selection. In brief, red quickens the heartbeat, and you will eat more, spend more and lose track of time all in the presence of red. Orange is the great social equalizer, and represents affordability (i.e. Home Depot). Yellow spurs memory (legal pads), can indicate caution, is generally considered sunny and cheerful, and works effectively in spaces with little or no natural light. It offers the illusion of sunshine. Blue promotes trust and a general sense of calm. Green indicates growth and renewal and is the "color of money." Purple often represents royalty and, depending on the time of year religion; it also is a favorite hue of creative types and alleviates insomnia (i.e. promotes daydreaming). Brown is usually viewed as conservative and dependable (United Parcel Service). White indicates independence and wealth (afford to keep it clean!). Black can be very upscale and chic, but also indicate a hands off (look don't touch) and is best used sparingly.

Light is energy, do you have enough? Of the types of light, natural or artificial (incandescent, fluorescent, halogen), natural is preferred and optimal from two directions. Torchiere lights, (up lights designed to be placed in corners) usually halogen based, with dimmers are cost effective and best when placed in dark corners, where the light will be reflected off the ceiling and illuminate the room.

Know the basics of art. It is important to consider imagery that enhances the work environment and, if clients visit, appropriate to the company image. (i.e. if a travel agency, then images of exotic destinations, if a financial planner, then images of Wall Street, graphs of stock trends, images of companies on the exchange.

Is your office in balance? You'll need a mix of square, hard edged shapes and soft rounded curves. For example if a rectangular desk is used, consider a round conference table.

Understand your office composition. How it is all placed makes a difference; is there a visual cohesion? Is a unity evident in the furnishings by the finishes used and is the arrangement functional and effective?

Sound: Hearing the Sounds of Productivity

Banish noise. It is difficult, if not impossible, to work successfully with noise distractions, whether it is the lawn mower, dog barking, kids playing, or an over cranked stereo.

White noise is essential. Determine your favorite background sounds music (style?), talk radio, TV, trickling water, or just quiet. Incorporate a radio or stereo system into the design, or perhaps a water feature, such as a tabletop fountain.

Taste: Feasting on the Fruits of Your Labor

Quench your thirst. Even if just at a water cooler. The idea of clean, clear fresh water in a glass (no paper cups folks!) can quench and provide a mood lift. Adding a mini refrigerator if there is room can alleviate those trips to the kitchen, and be great for any visiting vendors or associates deserving a quick break. Keep it well stocked with favorite beverages. In cooler climates, a coffee maker can be a real convenience and its own wakeup therapy!

Keep the munchies at bay. Use a colorful glass bowl for sweet treats or even a tray of fruit for a quick bite. It also adds invitation to have something to offer clients or customers.

Touch: Feeling Your Goals Within Reach

Make it touchable. Add tactile elements to please your sense of touch - leather, wood, stone, cashmere, wool, chenille, rattan, wicker, sisal.

Mix it up. Juxtapose hard slick surfaces with softer elements. Don't forget visual texture, such as patterns and plants. Layer and combine for greatest effect.

Smell: Scents of Success

Aroma therapy is big business these days, find out what triggers your creativity and lifts your energy, experiment with a variety of scents, (lavender, pine, citrus, sandalwood etc.) It doesn't have to be overwhelming or flowery to be effective. Sometimes adding a citrus plant or herb in a decorative pot is enough to infuse your office with energy and invitation.

Keep it fresh! Avoid negative scents like mustiness, old gym shoes, day old Chinese takeout, and such. Always maintain a neutral or fresh scent. Scent can even be used as a signature for your business. If you are in a home baking business, nothing beats the heavenly smell of fresh baked cookies; often used to sell houses!

Once you have addressed the senses properly in your office environment you'll find success soon follows.

Looking for more great decorating tips? Do you want to discover the shortcuts to savvy style and personal design? Check out 209homeimprovementtips.com. Learn the quick and easy ways to make small changes for a big impact in every interior!

Melissa Galt is the Lifestyle Diva and her interior designs can be found online at melissagaltinteriors.com and on Facebook and Twitter by name. Get in touch, why wait another day to get the top design you've been missing?

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