Dog Training basic commands

One of my closest friends just got himself a new dog, and he is in the process of training the dog. I always wondered if the dog is being trained or the owner is being trained. However, there are of course many reasons for owners to want a calm, obedient and faithful dog. For one thing, obedient and trained dogs are happier dogs, less likely to get into tussles with people or with other dogs. 

Many people are afraid of dogs and want to make sure that when dogs are out and about, that they do not cause a danger to others. As a result, numerous cities require that dogs being in their communities should be well trained. This is true for many kinds of dogs thought to have aggression and behaviour problems.

If you have young children training your dog is very important so that the dog makes a better family companion. If you train your dog properly, there may be fewer dog bites and other problems.

Training starts with some basic commands which include:

Heel – it is important that any dog learn to walk beside its owner on a loose lead, neither pulling ahead nor lagging behind

Respond to the word No – the word no is one word that all dogs must learn. Training your dog to respond to this important word can save you a ton of trouble.

Sit – Training your dog to sit on command is an important starting point for your training.

Stay – This command is very important when training your dog.

Down – Lying down on command is a key element of any strong dog training program.

Dog training does much more than just create an obedient, willing companion. Training actually strengthens the relationship between you and your dog. Dogs need structure because they are pack animals, and they want their pack leader lead them. You will be successful in your training once your dog sees you as the pack leader.

There is only one leader in every pack of dogs, and you as the owner must establish yourself as the most powerful animal. If you don't do this, then the dog will try to become the leader and this failure on your part will lead to all manner of behavior problems.

A well-trained dog will respond to all of your commands, and should not display fear, anger or excitement. Your training program should concentrate on providing your dog with the chance to understand what is expected of it. One of the best ways to do this is with positive reinforcement to reward desired behaviors.

Obedience training is a great way to fulfill some of the dog’s own needs, including the need for exercise. Remember your dog, is a pack animal and only feels secure if it knows its place and role in the pack. Training allows your dog to know how you expect it to behave, which leads to a good working relationship with you as its handler. Dog training gives your dog an essential role to do.

Giving the dog a job is more important than you may think. Dogs were first kept by humans to do important work, such as herding sheep, guarding property and protecting people. Many dogs today do not know that they have an important job to do, which can lead to boredom and neurotic behavior.

High energy breeds like German shepherds and border collies need to be trained to help them. In the training sessions, these dogs can use up any extra energy while simply having fun.

Playing is an important relationship builder between you and your dog as it strengthens your bond.

Green Tea Health Benefits

Green tea is one of the most popular drinks in China and is growing in popularity around the world. "According to legends, tea was discovered by a Chinese emperor about 5,000 years ago. This Chinese emperor was boiling water to the belief that it can become more portable and safer to drink. When suddenly a large gust of wind took over and blew the leaves into the water that’s boiling. By the combination of water and leaves, a brown mixture was fashioned. Reluctantly, the emperor discovered the mixture making a very fragrant aroma. The moment he tasted it, he described it to be agreeable. From that moment on, green tea was born."

Green tea is an antioxidant, which is good, but some of the claims for green tea should be considered hyperbolic. Green tea advocates claim that it can help with cancer prevention, heart protection, arthritis prevention and liver protection. Like all claims on the Internet, I urge you to do your research

Cancer prevention

Cancer is one of the most feared diseases man has ever known. It has killed many people and it takes many forms. With the claim that green tea drinkers are able to fight off cancer along with the claim green tea can aid in the treatment of cancer, a lot of studies are trying to support these claim. 

It is claimed by some that drinking green tea, has shown significant evidence of diminishing cancer cell in those that consume the tea. Preliminary investigations have proven that green tea can prevent the growth of cancer cells in organs like the digestive system, urinary bladder, and the pancreas.

Heart Protection

Antioxidants in green tea are one of the main reasons why people are being attracted to the drink. If you drink green tea you may reduce incidences of increased cholesterol level in your body. A reduction of cholesterol reduces the body chance of experiencing hypertension and cardiac diseases. 

Studies also show that green tea can help minimize thrombosis formation which is also an associated factor for heart disease. When thrombosis goes into blood circulation, there will come a time when the thrombus will block the way of the blood that is supposed to go to the heart and this will compromise the heart with blood supply. Preventing thrombus formation is one very important effect of green tea.

Arthritis Prevention

Some claim it’s impossible for green tea to affect bone diseases but the tea has proved them wrong because reports have it that green tea can prevent arthritis. Not only can green tea prevent arthritis from occurring but also eliminate the painful symptoms. According to research, green tea has a component that has the ability to reduce inflammation. Research also suggests that antioxidants have the capacity to delay any arthritic process that might occur and minimize irritable symptoms as well.

Liver Protection

Because the liver is another agent responsible for metabolism, it is greatly affected by green tea. There is a strong correlation of bonds between liver function and antioxidants. When the liver does it job, it filters the body from toxins and washes it away through excretion.

Toxins are referred to harmful substances that we gather through daily living like digested food, breathed air, consumed water, alcohol intake and even remnants of cigarette smoking. What green tea provides the body is stimulating and strengthening the immune system making the liver more capable of filtering every single substance that can be dangerous to the body.

Cancer Prevention and Green Tea Intake

First a reminder that I am not a doctor, but there is some evidence that green tea drinkers are said to be less susceptible to cancer than non-drinkers. This has already been proven by some clinical studies. You see, green tea is quite popular for many years now. For thousands of years, the Chinese drank green tea because of it was healthy, now more people are drinking the amazing tea. According to the statistics, countries in which green tea is the drink of choice, (over coffee and beer) cancer rates are much lower. There is an ingredient in green tea called polyphenol that researchers believe is important in fighting cancer.

The antioxidant properties of green tea in some tests have proven that green tea can help in reducing the formation of certain cancerous tumours. These results were due to the  EGCG or epigallocatechin, which has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Other polyphenols also have the same properties which can prevent skin cancer and even skin tumours.

Studies regarding esophageal cancer produced different results. The growth of cancer cells in the esophagus is typical of this type of cancer, but drinking green tea can suppress the growth of such cells. Some women tested to drink green tea were protected from esophageal cancer but another group were not protected. The research advised that additional investigations should be administered with regards to esophageal cancer.

The human bladder is another vital organ in the body. Again, researchers are trying to prove if there is a connection between the consumption of tea and bladder cancer. Clinical research suggests that bladder cancer was prevented by drinking green tea among women and another study among men who had bladder cancer had a higher chance of survival when they started drinking green tea.

There is some research that shows our pancreas can also benefit from the anti-cancer properties of green tea. Men and women who drank green tea were less prone to pancreatic cancer; however, there may be other reasons for these people being less prone to pancreatic cancer. The researchers suggest further studies should be conducted by before they can recommend green tea for prevention of pancreatic cancer. 

We have an ever-increasing number of ovarian cancer patients. A study was done in China that claims that with one cup of green tea every day, these patients lived longer.

There have been some lab studies that suggest that green tea can prevent prostate cancer. So far, the studies in different types of cancer gave positive effects when green tea was introduced to the patients. The studies claim that by simply increasing the quantity, frequency, as well as the duration of taking the tea, the development of cancer can be prevented.

Cancer has always been a health problem in different age groups. Green tea appears to have some positive effects on our bodies. So while you're still young and healthy, make sure you drink green tea every day. Make it a part of your diet. There are a lot of benefits of taking green tea and if you want to achieve a much healthier body, start taking it now. 

Commercial green tea is widely available, as well as the supplement forms. If you want to take the supplements, you can ask prescription from your doctor.

You could drink your green tea every day it will not hurt you and it may help you stay healthy. Just in case you want to be extra sure, ask your doctor about the health benefits you can derive from tea. You may be surprised if your doctor agrees with you in taking green tea.

Maui Beaches

I have only been to Maui four times and I love the Island, it is a paradise, and it is time to start planning your winter break. Maui is the place to go.

One of the best places to get information on the island is from Jon's Maui Vacation Facebook page, which is at  https://www.facebook.com/jonmaui but he also has a printable guide at  https://www.mauihawaii.org/mauiinfo/. 

Jon is an independent observer of all things Maui and his guide is one that represents his view not those of people who are interested in selling you something. Worth the time to review.

The island of Maui is home to some of the most amazing beaches. Some beaches offer swimming all year round, while others are best for surfing or snorkelling during certain times of the year. Depending on where you choose to stay, there are always some famous beaches nearby.

When I think of Maui I think of beaches.  Here’s what you need to know:    All beaches in Hawaii are public.  You can, and should, try out several beaches while you are on Maui.  Don’t only go to the beach in front of you. Here are some beaches recommended by Jon.

Kapalua Beach has been rated as the most beautiful beach in the world a few years ago.   That was before they built expensive condos that block some of the views, but Kapalua Bay is still worth seeing.  Kapalua means two borders (or more figuratively “arms embracing the sea”) which refers to the fingers of lava that reach out on both sides of this bay and block the strong waves from disturbing swimmers. More info is at  www.mauihawaii.org/sights/kapalua-beach

West Maui beaches If you drive along the west coast of Maui from Lahaina to Kapalua, you'll see many breathtaking beaches along the coast. Kaanapali Beach will offer you over three miles of white sand with a variety of watersports, including surfing, sailboating, and even catamaran rides. On the north end of the beach is Black Rock, which is well known for snorkelling.  

Kaanapali Beach is the “in place” to be on Maui,  the place where the action is.  Three great resort hotels (Sheraton, Westin,  Hyatt), one very good older hotel (Kaanapali Beach Hotel), two major condos (Kaanapali Alii, Whaler), a shopping center (Whalers Village), and two very good restaurants (Hula Grill, Leilani’s) are located on this beach.  There are booths to rent all sorts of water equipment, and you can even get some boat tours on catamarans that pick you up right on the beach.  Kaanapali Beach is my favorite place to stay on Maui.  More about Kaanapali Beach, including pictures, on the Kaanapali Beach page of this Maui website at   www.mauihawaii.org/kaanapali-beach

Baby Beach has much calmer waters than most other beaches because an offshore breakwater blocks many of the big waves from reaching the shore.  This makes it a good place for children to go in the ocean, though even here they, of course, need adult supervision.  Baby Beach is in the north part of Lahaina.  For more info, including how to find it, see
www.mauihawaii.org/sights/baby-beach

Olowalu is a popular snorkeling beach.  It’s south of Lahaina on Route 30, at Mile Marker 14.  Details and photos are at
www.mauihawaii.org/sights/mile-marker-14

The rule with Hawaii and Maui is that the further south you travel, the less crowded the beaches will be. Kihei offers you a series of beaches along the six-mile coastline, some even offering lifeguards, restrooms, and picnic areas. Polo Beach and Wailea Beach offer both restrooms and equipment rentals. Or, if you prefer a more secluded beach, you should visit Maluaka Beach at the Maui Prince Hotel - where you may even encounter some green sea turtles. 

A few miles past the Maui Prince Hotel is the Big Beach of Makena, which is one of the best beaches on Maui. As the name implies, the beach is quite large, and best of all - empty. It offers white sand, picnic facilities, and even restrooms. Kamaole III Beach is the best beach in Kihei.  Kihei is a town crowded with condos, most of which are across the street from the beaches, rather than being ocean-front.  It’s a good place for families on a budget that does not allow staying at the big resort hotels.  More about the three Kamaole Beaches in Kihei, including pictures, is on the Kamaole Beaches page of this Maui website at   www.mauihawaii.org/kamaole-beaches-parks-kihei

Keawakapu Beach is a less crowded beach where Kihei meets Wailea.  Details and photos at
www.mauihawaii.org/sights/keawakapu-beach

Big Beach is also called Makena Beach or Oneloa Beach.  You’ve got to see it because this beautiful area is the last large undeveloped beach on the sunny side of Maui.  It’s ¾ of a mile long, with not one hotel or condo in sight.  It’s south of all the Wailea hotels.  More info is at
www.mauihawaii.org/sights/big-beach-makena

Ho’okipa Beach Park is the place to watch windsurfing.  (The waves are too rough for swimming.)  It’s on Route 36 just past the town of Paia, on the north shore.  More info at
www.mauihawaii.org/sights/hookipa

The beaches of East Maui are unlike others in Hawaii. Surround by lush scenery, the beaches are secluded, scenic, and very colourful. Hamoa Beach is a must visit if you plan to visit East Maui. As you approach the beach from the main road, you'll walk past colourful plants and palm trees surrounding Hamoa Beach. Just off Hana Highway is Hana Bay Beach, which offers black volcanic sand.

The Red Sand Beach is difficult to get to, you'll need to find a narrow path along the coast. The beach offers plenty of swimming and snorkelling, and you should be the only one there - which is great for those looking for privacy. Even though it is hard to get to, Red Sand Beach is truly one of a kind.

Never leave anything of value in your car or on the beach, since theft from beaches and rental cars does occur.  Most Maui beaches have no lifeguards.  Whether they are present or not, swimming in the ocean can be dangerous.  You could drown.  You could get cut by coral.  Something could bite you.  Swim at your own risk.