The Best Dog Training Book

Canine training has become main stream with in the last few years due to the Animal Planet and TV shows like the "Dog Whisper" with Cesar Milam. These shows have started a revolution in pet awareness, pet training, and human pet interactions. The focus of this article is about dog training and some of the books around to help with this training. With so many ways to train our dogs it has become very difficult to determine which training book is best. I have read many dog training books, articles and below have listed some items you want to pay attention to when picking the best dog training book.

With so many books out on the market it might be hard sometimes to decide what to pick and why. There are many factors that will determine which book is the best pet education book for you. One factor that you will want to look at is whether or not the book achieves your goals of preparation your canine. The fundamental concept for each book is to build a relationship with your animal and learn how to communicate what you want from your dog in a positive, punishment free environment. Building a happy relationship with your pet will be a core goal of all pet training. Some times you see people walking their dogs, but it looks like the dog is walking them! We want to avoid this and have our pet to be well trained.

There are different techniques used in different books to achieve these concepts. One of the most popular training methods is the clicker training method. This type of training is based on using a small clicker device that makes 'NOISE' and is used as reinforcement to the puppy. This training starts off by having you first condition the dogie to expect a treat when it hears the sound of the clicker. Once you have conditioned the pet you start to train the behavior you want of your animal while clicking the clicker device each time your pet performs the action you want.

The second type of training is based on using small dog treats to reinforce the behavior you want from you dog. Easy dog obedience instruction or do it yourself dog training stresses using positive reinforcements like small dog treats or positive praise. Each book will have specific details for you to use with its training. Such factors such as the environment you should train the dog in. A time line to use for making sure you dog teaching is progressing. Results that you should see as you train to ensure you are meeting your goals. You will probably need to read a few dog teaching books to see which one works best for you.

Creator of: Dog Training Tools site
Dog Training Certification site

Career Advice - Winning the Career Game Calls For Putting on a Game Face

Q. Yesterday I was interviewed for a job that sounds really good. One question stumped me: "What kind of boss do you like to work for?" Caught by surprise, I said, "I like a boss who's available to answer questions and give me feedback."

How do I prepare for next time?

A. Whether you're interviewing for a job, networking or making a client presentation, you've entered a business relationship. And business relationships differ from friendships.

So when you enter a business or a sports arena, you put on a uniform and wear your game face. You follow the rules. Long-time successful players (like Diana Taurasi and Michael Jordan) know the rules so well they can trust their intuition.

But most of us will view networking events and interviews as, well, a new ball game. We don't practice every day. Whole years - even decades - go by without a job interview. So when we come to the game, most of us need to be self-consciously aware of what we are doing.

1. Focus on the game, not your feelings.

Before and after your business encounter, you can (and should) share feelings and concerns openly with a coach, consultant or counselor. But when you're face to face in a business meeting, your game face becomes part of your dress-for-success plan.

A networking acquaintance asks, "How are things going?" You know he doesn't want to hear about problems with suppliers, child care or your crazy boss. Time to share a success story, matter-of-factly, without bragging.

2. Create your playbook before you enter the arena.

Anticipate questions whenever possible. Talk to others with more recent experience.

The other team has a three-point lead and you have sixty seconds left in the game. They have the ball.

I must admit I was surprised the first time I heard a sportscaster explain, "At this level, the coach has already diagrammed the plays for situations like this one." But it makes sense for sports and business, too.

3. Create a game plan for surprises.

You can't plan for every contingency. Opposing coaches come up with creative plays and interviewers come back from a conference with new questions.

One trick I share with clients: As you hear each question, ask yourself, "What answer will show I understand the game and am prepared to play by the rules?"

So you're asked, "What kind of boss do you like?"

Most likely, your prospective employer doesn't care what style of leadership you prefer. If you're working for a big company, chances are you'll have multiple bosses in one year, each with different personalities, management styles and expectations.

But your company does care about accomplishment.

For a for-profit company, you might talk about working for a results-oriented boss. You then talk about the importance of contributing to the bottom line.

Non-profits are guided by mission so you fine-tune your response.

4. Recognize that the game can change in the blink of an eye.

Of course, you may realize that you will not be able to function in the environment presented by this organization. You can withdraw from the game altogether.

But I encourage clients not to leave too fast. Just as a basketball game can reverse in the last twenty seconds, a job can change overnight. Literally.

5. Plan for getaways.

Some people live for their game and their work. I know some Internet marketers who work sixteen hours a day - happily. Some players and coaches live for the game, especially during March Madness. They relax by shooting around on the court.

But most of us need breaks and getaways. We need to step back to gain perspective. And everyone I know needs a place to take off the game face and relax, if only for a little while.

For a realistic guide through career change, download your 21-Day Extreme Career Makeover From Cathy Goodwin, PhD, Author and Career Consultant. Learn more at MidlifeCareerStrategy.com
mailto:goodwincathy@yahoo.com or (206) 819-0989

Recession Proof Your Business

It seems fair to say that some of the businesses that have succumbed to the credit crunch would have appeared to be completely safe even a couple of years ago. Although this recession has been in the pipeline for the last few years, it would have been easy until ealry last year to have the impression that the overall financial situation would be far from problematic for the foreseeable future. Things move fast however, and once one bank experiences capital cash flow problems, it is a matter of time before another reports similar difficulties, and one by one even the most seemingly secure banks start to post poor financial results. The knock on effect of this affects business in almost a blanket fashion.

The problem with a financial crisis such as the one the world is currently experiencing is that it puts a pinch on lending. A lack of personal lending hurts consumer spending, while a pinch on business lending leads to difficulties in retooling a business that needs continual improvement. As the situation gets worse, more and more businesses, both large and small, will suffer as a result. This affects jobs, which in turn affects spending, and before too long the crisis is all but inescapable. For the small business, it is a fearful time in which to operate.

The only way to be fully confident of getting through the tricky times in which we are living, and the future which will continue to be problematic for some time to come, is to take steps to recession proof your business. If you want to be sure of survival, it requires taking a close look at your figures and seeing where cuts can be made without harming your bottom line. This may mean reducing your orders from suppliers - which is unfortunate for the supplier, who needs to make a living, but essential for you. Cutting back on non-essential spending such as business class travel is never fun, but may well be a non-negotiable matter. Ensuring that you have the disposable funds to see your business through the dark days is the one and only priority.

If it is possible to diversify your output without spending excessively, you will give yourself all the more chance of negotiating a difficult time. Making yourself as attractive to potential customers - if possible, making your business essential - is something towards which you simply have to concentrate as much of your effort as possible. Never has the term "sink or swim" so completely summed up the financial reality.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online ( http://www.sixsigmaonline.org ) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

Pennsylvania Teacher Certification

Unsure of the teacher certification process and how it works in Pennsylvania? Here's a brief runaround on meeting teacher certification requirements.

Now that you've finished a program for teacher education, you're probably ready for the next step - teacher certification. If you're currently applying for certification in Pennsylvania, read on. Teacher certification is a lengthy sometimes complicated process. Each state, of course, works differently and meeting the requirements for teacher certification in Pennsylvania are generally standard. Here are the details on Pennsylvania certification.

How to Qualify for Teacher Certification

Candidates should hold a BA degree, have completed an accredited and approved program of teacher education, and passed the Praxis Series tests for the subject area in which they seek certification. If your degree is from a foreign university, you will need to provide a report that explains the degree structures, credits and courses and their equivalents to an American institution of higher learning. Again, check the requirements for foreign applicants educated abroad. This should be a first start.

Taking the Praxis Tests

According to Praxis Test Requirements in Pennsylvania: "all candidates for certification must meet the qualifying score for all applicable tests at the time their application for certification is received by the Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation." (Pennsylvania: Praxis Test Requirements website)

Check again the website to find out which Praxis test applies to each certificate type for which you seek certification, as there are a number of different certificates. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education website, "individuals must maintain an active certificate as mandated by Act 48 of 1999 (continuing professional education) to be employed in a PA public school system." (Teaching in PA website).

If you are seeking certification in an additional area, you will be required to complete an accredited approved program and take the appropriate Praxis test(s). Check with the test requirements of the Praxis series. If you have three years of valid teaching experience, you may only be required to take the Paxis test in your content area.

Out-of-State Teachers Seeking Certification

Do you have an out-of-state license? You may actually be able to use state reciprocity to become certified in PA. In order to transfer your certification, you will have to formally apply as there is no automatic transfer procedure. You will need to take the Praxis level I or level II in your subject area and pass it. Once that is done, you can apply for PA certification.

Good luck! Not what you are looking for? The website on Teacher Certification in Pennsylvania is comprehensive and will be able to most likely answer your questions about certification in Pennsylvania.

Make Your Teaching Sparkle. Teach for Success. Make a difference in the classroom.

Subscribe to receive your FREE e-zine and e-book, "Taking Charge in the Classroom" when you visit the New Teacher Resource Center at http://www.newteachersignup.com.

Purchase your ebook of classroom tested tips - "Tips and Tricks for Surviving and Thriving in the Classroom," at: http://www.MakeYourTeachingSparkle.com and you'll receive a FREE ebooklet, "Yes! You Can Teach K-12 English language learners Successfully!"

Dorit Sasson is a freelance writer, speaker, educator and founder of the New Teacher Resource Center.

Tennis Instructors: How to Get Certified

You do not have to be certified in tennis instructing in order to get a job as a tennis coach or teacher. However, it is certainly not a bad idea. If you are teaching at a smaller institution, or perhaps only random lessons here and there, you may think of getting an official certification for instructing tennis. Especially if you aspire to coach or teach in the future and want to land the best job and achieve the most success possible - consider the possibility that you can further your career with a piece of paper. Many of the more elite clubs pride themselves in having all certified staff members, so sometimes to get the best job - you may have to take those extra steps.

When you are a certified tennis instructor, not only do you have the advantage of the certificate - but those of the process of getting the certificate in your hands. The process will not take too long, depending on the program you choose, of course. You will be required to attend workshops on how to teach tennis. You will learn how to help students think their way through the technique. In addition, your own skill will be markedly improved. You will receive liability insurance - which can help in the future, if the need ever arises. Most tennis clubs who require certified instructors do this for the purpose of liability. It makes sense. You will also receive special instructional videos, books, dvds, and more. No one else has access to these materials, and they are assets to mastering the perfect tennis techniques learning from these books will guarantee that you are able to teach perfect form without confusion.

Sometimes, teaching tennis lessons just comes natural to people. Often, these more skilled and especially talented tennis players are people who have had great tennis instructors as well. The more you know, that is, the more you can focus on the game and the technique - the more you can teach others how to master the game. You will, as a certified instructor, also receive magazines exclusive to those with a certification in the profession of tennis. You will also receive discount tennis merchandise - as a matter of fact, once you are hired, you will probably receive free (or virtually free) tennis equipment from the establishment that hires you.

The very best advantage of being certified as an educated, professional tennis instructor is that you will have the eligibility to compete in various tournaments. These tournaments are designed for people just like you as well. There will not be a huge variety of skill levels to deal with. Certified instructors compete against each other in these competitions - therefore, you will be able to battle some of the very best. In addition, other instructors will be excluded unless they are certified members for professional, high quality tennis instruction.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching, gardening, and fashion. For more of her articles on tennis, please visit e-tennis.org, supplier of high quality Tennis Racquets and Tennis Strings.

Rewarding Careers In Video Game Design

Companies are interested in hiring those people who have a natural instinct of what makes a game good or bad, someone who knows how to design good games, a person who is passionate about playing video games. Secondly, while designing, one comes across many problems so they need someone with good problem solving skills. Last but not the least, companies need a person who can do things efficiently in a very short span of time, because of the fast paced competition in this industry.

Training Requirements

Not everyone can become a video game designer. It requires very specific training from a video game designing school. Many degrees are available online.
Colleges and universities offer degree programs and technical training in video games designing. These programs help you to develop various levels in the game from the beginning till the final stages. Technical training includes drawing, characterization, editing, interactive media and game design which strengthens your foundation for video game design.

Working Environment

Working as a video game designer involves working with a team of people from different fields who coordinate different aspects of the game to create a new video game. If you are interested in making a career in this industry you could choose from a wide range of positions. A storyboard or character artist works out the skeleton with sketches and paintings of the different elements of the game. For this you need advanced technical training in graphic design and computer animation, which helps you to put your ideas through.

Animators and character artist produce the characters of the game and give it a real look and feel with the help of 3D programs. Creating a new game is a long process and designing is one of the major stages. The team is made up of a lead designer and other level designers. It is the responsibility of the level designers to create the right environment at different levels of the game for the player. They perceive the design team's vision of the game and create the necessary impact. They have to make the game exciting and engrossing. As the levels change, environment designers give the game a three dimensional quality. Texture artists give the flesh and skin to the various elements of the game. They see to it that the textures are convincingly fitted to their characters.

Programmers make the video game engine run. C++ is the preferred programming language. This is an essential part of video games. AI is helpful in creating different elements of the game. Interface designers create menus heads up display in the game. Sound and audio experts create the required dramatic sound effects of the game and set the right mood. Professional testers deal with bugs and other related problems.

With the help of specialized training in advanced graphic design and your passion for video games you will be able to bring your video game characters to life and use your conceptual skills to bring out the concept envisioned. This will prove to be a valued asset for creating new video games and give you the required cutting edge to succeed in this competitive industry.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online http://www.sixsigmaonline.org offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

Network Certification Exam

When it comes to preparing for your network certification exam certainly the school or training center where you are studying will offer plenty of advice and help. But if you still find yourself in a situation where you need to try and get more help in order to be fully prepared for your exams you can not do any worse than by going online.

Today there are numerous websites to be found online which can offer you both practice exams, which you can either pay for or get for free. Most sites will often offer you the chance to do some very simple tests and exams for free but if you want to do those that then provide you with a larger explanation in relation to the answer you should have reached these you will then have to pay for.

When it comes to finding practice questions, which are similar, or almost the same as the ones you are likely to get in a real exam the internet is the ideal place to start your search. There are now many sites including Microsoft that can help to prepare a student prior to them sitting their exams.

Microsoft have in place a system in place known as the "Readiness Review System". Not only does it help to improve a students chances of actually being able to pass the exams they are sitting, but will also show whether they are actually ready to take them. With this system the students have two components, which they need to complete.

The first component is made up of a realistic simulation electronic exam as well as a number of practice tests and a review book. The exam and practice tests resemble almost exactly what a student will see in front of them when it comes time to sit the actual exam. What they see in front of them is a number of different questions, which have been provided in a number of different formats along with some very basic and straightforward questions as well.

As for the review book this works in conjunction with the CD ROM on which the exams and practice tests are held. It provides the student using this system with a clear explanation as to why an answer may be right or wrong. The book as you go through it clearly goes through the objectives relating to the exam that they will be taking. It also explains clearly what skills you require in order that you are able to master the objectives that have been placed before you.

So if you are looking for a way in which you can more easily prepare for your network certification exam it may be wise to look more closely at what Microsoft and other software developers have to offer. Certainly by using things like the Microsoft Readiness Review System you will find yourself much better prepared and feeling more confident that you will be able to achieve your goals and gain your qualifications.

P Abbey owns and operates http://www.mscertificatetips.com/networkcertificationexam.html - Network Certification Exam