Secrets to Dog Training

I'm writing a review on a book that I bought a couple years ago when I first got my dog, my first dog! The book is called Secrets to Dog Training. It was called StaySitFetch when I bought it. I was a student back then, so initially I was trying to save money by searching for free tips on the Internet. There were a lot of free tips and advice on different web sites and dog forums but information was all over the place. My dog was barking at night, was having accidents here and there on my carpet, I was tired and fed up. That's when I decided to just pay for a book and have all the information in one place!
Secrets to Dog Training (or SitStayFetch) has 186 pages when I bought it two years ago. (It has some 300 pages now.) In the beginning there is a chapter on dog ownership and selecting a dog/breeder, so the book is useful even for those who are thinking to get a dog but doesn't have one yet. Then there are chapters on bringing your new dog home, caring for the dog, basic training, understanding your dog, correctly problematic behaviors, all kinds of commands, and some advanced tips.
This was two years ago and I liked the book, I can only imagine it is better and has more useful information now. I highly recommend you to check out the book. It has money back guarantee, so what is there to lose!? Even if you don't want to buy the book, you can sign up for the free training course.


*****Secrets to Dog Training*****

PetSmart Training Class Review

We have taken two PetSmart training classes at two different PetSmart stores (different states). We would like to share our experience to help you decide whether a PetSmart training class is right for you and your beloved dog!

PROS:

First-time Dog Parents: If you have never had a dog before. It is a lot easier to learn from a trainer with live demonstrations. Sometimes the problem is not the dog, sometimes the problem is us. A professional trainer can pick up what you are doing improperly and correct you promptly.

Socialization: If you have a puppy, a shy dog (e.g. a rescue), the puppy / beginner class is a safe environment for supervised socialization. My rescue went from hiding under my chair in the first session to loving everyone in the final session.

Price: If you must take a class, PetSmart’s pricing is rather economical comparing to most private dog training institutes. PetSmart charges about $100 for an 8-week class (1 session per week) while most private dog training institutes I’ve called charge $200+ for a similar group class. I have heard that AKC offers affordable classes too but their location was not convenient for us.

Coupons: Our beginner class trainer handed out one coupon at each session. These are PetSmart coupons for dog treats or dog food. Usually the coupons expire at the end of the year, so I waited to use the coupons when the items are on sale and got some pretty good deals for my dog!

Graduation Gifts: When we took the beginner's class, the trainer made goodie bags for each graduating dog! For the intermediate class, the trainer only made one goodie bag and we had to raffle for it.

CONS:

Quality of Trainer: The quality of the class heavily depends on the quality of the trainer. Our beginner class trainer reminded me of my grandma. She was nice but she was very forgetful and sometimes lacks the energy needed to run the class. Our intermediate trainer happens to be the regional trainer of the regular PetSmart trainers. She was very knowledge but she didn’t bother to give us coupons or make graduation gift for each dog. Also, she has a personal preference for large show dogs. As a small dog owner, we were often neglected.

Class Content: The tricks and tips taught in the beginner and intermediate classes are not that useful unless you are a first-time dog owner. In that case, the only benefit of paying $100+ for the class is to put you and your dog on a regular schedule to go to class and do "homework".

TO DO’S BEFORE SIGNING UP FOR A CLASS:

1) Ask your dog parent friends and see if they have experience with your local PetSmart training class.

2) Often there is more than one trainer teaching at a PetSmart store, make your money worth by choosing the better trainer.

3) At one of the PetSmart we went to, we had to fill out a survey during the last training session. That PetSmart kept all the surveys in a binder for any customers to look at. Check if there is such a binder at your store, read the comments and see if the trainer is suitable for you and your dog.

4) The PetSmart classes are usually conducted in a classroom with a ceiling-to-floor glass wall. You can “audit” the class from watching outside the classroom. Just make sure you don’t distract the parents / dogs in the class.

5) The trainers are happy to talk to potential customers. Catch them before or after class. Talk to them; ask about their training background / experience, class syllabus / schedule, etc. Try to get a “feel” on whether you want to take his / her class.

Smooth Away Pads Review #2

It has been two days since I first tried the Smooth Away pads. My skin have been feeling extremely dry and itchy. I have been applying lotion again and again to calm my skin. The Smooth Away pads must have buffed away much more than just hair. I'm not planning to try them again until summer comes around.

Smooth Away Pads Review #1

A while back, I saw an infomercial on TV showing this lady gently buff a pink pad on her legs and her hair magically went away. I was very curious but I didn't feel like ordering on the phone. I wasn't sure if it's another over-promising product and I didn't want to pay $7 for shipping and handling. They were selling these for $15, so $7 S&H is like half the price!

Anyway, today I was at my local Target and I saw the Smooth Away As Seen On TV product. I bought one pack for $9.99 + tax. It includes 1 travel case, 1 large applicator, 1 small applicator, 5 large flex-crystal replacement pads, and 5 small flex-crystal replacement pads. The travel case is nothing but a cheap plastic folder but it's nice for storage.

I tried it as soon as I got home. It wasn't as effortless as it looked on TV. I used the large pad on my legs and I had to buff the same area a few times before the hair falls off. It took less than 10 minutes for me to finish both legs. Conclusion is... It works!!! It kind of reminded me of Nair but it doesn't have that terrible smell and it didn't sting my skin. However, it left a white powder residue on my skin. I rinsed that off, dried my skin and applied some lotion. My skin feels quite smooth (as oppose to shaving). I'm going to wait a couple of days to make sure I don't have any allergic reaction before I try it on more sensitive areas. Then I will write and post review #2.

Rice Cooker Chocolate Cake Recipe

I want to find more ways to utilize my rice cooker in addition to cooking rice and steaming food. Today I made a chocolate cake with it. The cake is more moist and spongy compared to its baked version. I don't need to watch the temperature and there is less mess to clean up. Here is the recipe.

1 cup sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder (I prefer dark cocoa powder!)
1/2 tsp. coffee powder
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup boiling water

• Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl
• Add egg, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer for 2 minutes
• Stir in boiling water
• Line bottom of rice cooker with parchment paper (cut to shape)
• Pour batter into rice cooker
• Press cook button (Select regular rice setting if you've a digital rice cooker)
• When rice cooker automatically switches off, open and check. Check cake with toothpick/fork, press cook button again if needed. Repeat until cake is done*
• Cool 10 minutes; removes from rice cooker to wire racks
• Cool completely. Decorate with your usual frosting

* How many times to "cook" depends on the size and power of your rice cooker. For my rice cooker, I had to "cook" twice.

Litter Train Your Dog

Not sure why people litter train their cats but not their dogs. I picked up a small breed dog (6 lbs.) from the shelter in the middle of a cold and snowy winter. Poor Apple shivered and shook so bad whenever I took her out. I felt like I was torturing her. I did some research and decided to litter train her. I found a book that really helped: The Ultimate House Training Guide I followed the instructions from the book and Apple picked it up quickly. It was a little tricky finding a litter that is right for her. Tracking was a big problem with regular cat litter. Somehow dogs track a lot more litter than cats. I tried the traditional non-clumping litter, the scoopable crystals and finally pine pellets. They are called Feline Pine or Feline Fresh and they are great. They are natural and environmentally friendly. I'm not worried if Apple accidentally ingests a little and they don't stick to her paws like the scoopable crystals. Anyway, now she's happy. She can go outside when weather is nice and she can go to her little box when it's too cold!

Chicken Karaage Recipe

I love the chicken karaage at a local Japanese restaurant and I started looking for a recipe to see if I can make it on my own. Below is a really great recipe. It's actually not so hard to make. Dark meat tastes better to me but sometimes I make it with white meat for health reason. Yes... to make a fried dish slightly healthier!



Recipe:
Cut chicken meat into small pieces.
Marinate chicken meat in the following marinade:
- 6 Tbsp. sake
- 3 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp. grated ginger juice
- A splash of sesame oil
Marinate for an hour.
Roll in cornstarch and brush off excess.
Deep-fry in oil twice.
First time at 320F. Until the meat starts to float.
Take them out of oil, let cool for about 2 minutes.
Quickly deep-fry again at 360F.

My deep-fryer only has one temperature and it tastes just fine.

Here is the link to the original recipe. I made a copy of the recipe to my blog in case the original link is no longer available in future.