What Is Contributing To Your Mental Health Problems?

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Knowing that you are struggling with issues with your mental health, and understanding the reasoning behind it are two very different things. The reason that we bring this up is because most people don’t really know why they feel the way they feel, and if it has gotten worse recently, you may be struggling to understand why and might end up searching for mental rehab centers near me. Well, in this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the common contributing factors to mental health problems, and maybe you will find that one or more of them relate to you. Keep reading to find out more.

Issues In The Home

The first thing that you should consider is whether you are having issues with your home. When you feel down, it can be hard to do the basic things that you know you should be doing such as taking out the trash and doing the dishes. But, further than this, if it’s been a while, you could end up with things like an infestation or even bed bugs. It’s disheartening, not to mention gross when this happens, and you’re going to need bed bug treatment or whatever pest that you currently have.

Try not to beat yourself up too much about it, and just get it taken care of. You can get in touch with exterminators with bed bugs dog detection services to help you! Thus, you must always be aware of the fact that an untidy home could be making things a little worse for you, as there’s just one more thing on your list to complete.

Anxiety

Anything from a deadline at work to fertility issues with your partner could be creating anxiety for you. It is usually a symptom of stress, which is explained in further detail below. Luckily, there are lots of things you can do to reduce your anxiety levels. One option is to look at the best cbd canada has to offer and order some straight away. Obviously, it doesn’t have to come from canada, but the country is a big supporter of cbd so it makes sense to get it from there. Other small things that help include having a warm bath on a regular basis, massage, yoga and meditation or even wild swimming. Getting back to nature can do wonders for anxiety – it’s a liberating experience that will make you feel free to be yourself.

The Pandemic

Right now, we’ve been stuck in the middle of a pandemic for what feels like forever. There have been lockdowns, there have been people encouraging you to go outside, there have been a whole range of different people telling you different things, and you never know what to believe. Not only that, but contact with other humans has been severely limited and that has the power to mess with the human brain massively. Humans thrive on their ability to touch and connect with each other, but this has been taken away and a lot of us have been in isolation for a little while now. It’s common for those in an isolated state to suffer more than those who are not.

Stress

Stress is usually a huge contributing factor no matter who you are or what you do. If you are suffering with mental health issues, you can be pretty sure that at least part of the reason is because you are so stressed out. Whether this is with work, your home life, or just life in general, you need to figure it out and see if there is something you can do to make things a little easier for yourself.

There are avenues you can turn to for some help; therapy, for example, could be an option to consider. Speaking to an experienced counselor or therapist could help you figure out the root cause of your problems, thus allowing you to remedy or eliminate it. Therapy sessions can also help you develop habits that serve your mental health and peace of mind instead of hindering them like your current habits or lifestyle may be doing. There are very likely many centers that provide Counselling Kingston as well as places nearer to you, so finding a trusted therapist should not be too difficult.

Alternatively, some people find that turning to religion helps. There are some workplaces that have chaplain services for offering religious counselling when it comes to work-related stress. Another option could be to simply visit your church or place of worship and talk to the religious leader there. For many people who are religious, such support can be very useful.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now understand a little better some of the things that could be contributing to your mental health problems. It’s never easy to talk about your mental health and how you are feeling, but it has got to be done. If you don’t, the only thing that’s going to happen is that you are going to end up worse for it. We wish you the best of luck, and hope that things with your mental health start to improve soon.

The Real Reason You Keep Getting Migraines

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Migraines are among the most debilitating of conditions. One minute, you can be fine – the next, you have a splitting headache and you feel sick to your stomach. The only thing you can do is lie still in a darkened room with a cool wet flannel over your face.

Migraines could be the result of abnormal brain function that usually affects nerve signals, chemicals, and blood vessels of the brain for a limited period. People tend to take medicines during the occurrence of a migraine. But, if you are frequently experiencing migraines and medications aren’t providing any relief, you may have to visit the clinic of Dr Timothy Steel, a renowned neurosurgeon (or any other neurologist practicing nearby) for the treatment of such conditions.

 

Many researchers believe that physiological stress is one of the root causes of migraines. When we feel overwhelmed in the mind, the body follows suit and, eventually, breaks.

But what are the other factors that cause these episodes? Are they just random outbreaks? Or is there something lying behind them?

Let’s take a look.

You’re Drinking Too Much

Alcohol can be a great way to relax and socialize. But it is also one of the main causes of migraine and cluster headaches.

Researchers still aren’t sure whether it’s the alcohol itself or byproducts of the liver that cause the problem. But people who drink more often certainly put themselves at higher risk of getting a migraine.

Your Posture Is Out Of Whack

People believe that the job of a chiropractor is to relieve back pain and “straighten out the joints.” But another of their roles is dealing with migraines. Sometimes, the posture of the body can prevent the proper flow of nerve signals and blood flow. And that can lead to recurring migraines.

Fixing your posture, therefore, is one of the best ways to prevent migraines from coming back in the future. If you sit in an office chair all day, set time aside to do stretching exercises, such as pilates, yoga and qigong, or get in touch with somewhere like https://alignmat.com.au/collections/best-posture-corrector if you want professional help.

You Are Withdrawing From Caffeine

Many working people take caffeine every day. It’s the perfect way to perk them up for their job and get them in the mood for work. Unfortunately, stopping coffee and tea intake can lead to migraine. That’s because when you stop taking caffeine on board, you stop constricting them. Now they can widen and expand with each beat of your heart, causing that throbbing sensation you sometimes get when a migraine strikes.

You’re Not Sleeping Enough

Failing to get sufficient sleep goes hand in hand with migraines and headaches. Researchers believe that this is because sleep affords pain relief. When you sleep at night, all the pain that built up during the day vanishes, making you feel happy and refreshed in the mornings. If you don’t get that, migraines can strike.

You’re Going From Bright To Dark Too Often

Researchers think that ocular migraines (where part of your vision goes temporarily blank) can come about because of shifting between bright and dark. Many workers, for instance, can get migraines if they leave a dull office and go out into bright sunlight at lunchtime. The extreme stimulus leads to changes in their blood vessels and nerves that cause pain.

Tricks and Tips that will Maximise the Space in your Home

If you have a very small home, then you will know how frustrating it can be to try and make sure that there is enough space for everyone. This is especially the case if you have kids. You may feel as though you just don’t have enough boxes to store everything and that your whole home is cluttered. If this sounds like you, then you’ll be glad to know that it’s more than possible for you to turn all of this around by using a few simple tricks.

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Hang your Curtains above your Frame

The first thing that you can try and do is hang your curtains above your window frame. If you are hanging your curtains across your windows then you may find that you end up making your space feel way smaller than it should be. If you hang your window treatment on the outside of the frame and put the curtain pole a few inches below the ceiling then you will soon find that this fools the eye and that it looks far more spacious. If your curtain rods have seen better days, then now may be the time for you to upgrade them. You can buy curtain rods sets online with ease.

Move your Furniture Away from the Walls

This may seem somewhat counterintuitive, but at the end of the day, you should try and move your furniture away from the walls or the corners of your room if possible. If you can do this then you will soon see that your space feels way bigger. At the end of the day, your stuff needs space too, and by floating your furniture you can help to make sure that this is the case. Just a few inches can make a difference, and it can stop your rooms from looking cramped much more than you realise.

Paint your Walls in a Light Colour

The wrong paint job really is the mortal enemy of a spacious home. If you need your home to look big, then try and opt for a lot of light and add some natural hues too. You can add shades of white, tan and even yellow if you want. This is the best way for you to incorporate colour without having to worry about it being too overbearing in terms of the general scheme of the room.

Add Mirrors across from your Windows

Want to make your space seem way bigger, instantly? Then you should know that this all starts out with mirror placement. If you can place a mirror across from a door or window then you will be able to get a glimpse of the outdoors. This will make your space seem much more open and it will also help you to reflect more light. If you have a large mirror then you do need to make sure that you keep it clean. If you can do this then you will soon find that you can make the space seem way more comfortable and cosy.

Use Sheer to your Advantage

Those dark curtains that you have up right now won’t be doing your home any favours. If you are eager to make your home feel much bigger, then you need to try and maximise the amount of natural light that you have coming into your home. You also need to try and use sheer curtains to your advantage if possible. The natural light that passes through the sheer curtains will help you to exaggerate the space you have, and it will also make it feel way bigger than you think.

Add some Bookcases

Freestanding bookcases may seem very convenient. If you want your space to seem bigger than it is then a built-in bookcase can serve you very well. They are recessed into the wall and this can save you a lot of valuable floor space. You may even find that they can keep you from keeping too much clutter around. If you want to take things to that next level, then make sure that the wood you choose matches in with the rest of the room. If it doesn’t then try and make sure that you paint it instead. Painted bookcases that are lighter in colour can really help you to reflect a lot of light.

Of course, it’s very easy for you to make a huge difference to your home if you follow this guide and if you take your time, then you’ll soon find that you may even be able to add value to your property too.

 

 

Signs, Symptoms, and Treatments of a Depressed Dog

When your dog turns from a usually energetic and lively creature to a lethargic and withdrawn canine then he might be depressed. Not only do humans fall prey to depression, but dogs can also develop signs of depression and anxiety.

It’s difficult to identify what truly is bothering your pooch, because they can’t communicate their feelings. Although they aren’t human and can’t say when they are emotional, it is evident through many studies that dogs feel emotions just as strong as humans. They are very intuitive. Even though it is uncommon for dogs to suffer from depression, there are a few things that can cause them to feel a bit blue.

As an owner, it’s important to be wary of the signs and symptoms of canine depression and anxiety. This will give us the tools to cope with the condition before it results in serious medical conditions.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

When your dog is depressed they can experience the same kind of symptoms that humans do. The only difference is that they can’t communicate these feelings. Therefore, owners should be aware of the physical and external signs of the condition.

Here is a list of the most common signs of doggy depression:

Withdrawn and Isolated

Your once playful and sociable canine has become withdrawn. They don’t show enthusiasm or excitement anymore and it doesn’t seem like they are enjoying activities like they use to.

Drastic Changes in Behavior

Showing sudden aggression, being overprotective, moody, and change in toilet behavior are all behavioral changes that is an indicator of something that’s wrong. When your pooch feels threatened or scared, they will act in a way that they didn’t use to before.

Tired and Sleepy

In the same way as we would feel without energy and drive when we are sad, our dogs will feel lethargic. They might start sleeping more than they usually do.

Shivering and Hiding

Instead of being its usual approachable and loveable self, your pooch is now hiding away from everyone. Shivering and shaking can indicate anxiety caused by something external.

Certain dog breeds are especially great in providing emotional support to humans. If your pooch were usually very intuitive when it comes to your emotions and now are withdrawn, then they might be suffering from depression. If you do feel under the weather, you might consider checking out this post about dogs that are great at giving emotional support.

There are many different things that can cause doggy depression. Some of these factors might include:

  • Change in scenery
  • Moving from one home to another, or moving cities
  • Losing a family member or another pet
  • A fear of loud noises like fireworks or construction
  • Being bored and not getting enough exercise throughout the day
  • When their social group changes

If you do suspect that your pooch is suffering from anxiety or depression, you should always consult a vet first. It could be that your furry friend has an underlying medical condition. So, before you jump to conclusions, let your vet do a thorough check to rule out any medical conditions.

Treating Dog Depression

So, what can you do when your dog is down in the dumps? After visiting the vet, you can implement any of the following treatment measures:

Add Exercise

Even though your pooch might seem lethargic and sleepy, it could be that they are bored. Take them out on a daily walk or play catch. Dogs who are kept alone in an apartment throughout the day needs daily exercise to keep them mentally stimulated. If you aren’t able to walk them daily, there will be a Dog Walking Kingston service that can give your dog the exercise they need.

If you are away at work for most of the day, you could consider leaving them with a dog sitter or at a doggy day care. Invest in quality toys that they can play with when you are busy. There are loads of cool brain stimulating toys available for pets who live in apartments.

Give Attention

Just like humans, pets need attention too. This is one of the easiest tips you could do for helping your furry one relieve their stress. Neglecting your pet and not petting them or giving them love can result in depression. Spend extra time with them, where you calmly pet them and rub their bellies. Give them loads of kisses and see how they come out of their shell once again.

Natural Supplements

CBD oil is a great natural supplement to give to cats and dogs who suffer from anxiety and depression. It’s an excellent alternative to chemically induced medication and has been proven to hold great benefits. Learn more about how cannabis oil can treat anxiety in dogs here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29hyb2rrrgo.

It’s a great idea to give a dog with anxiety and phobias CBD oil. This will help calm them down when they are faced with their fears.

Training

Training is part of giving your dog enough attention and mental stimulation. Teaching them how to perform a few tricks will make them feel great. What makes training even better is that they can be rewarded with a treat. This is a special time that you can use to bond with your furry friend.

Introduce a Friend

After losing a family member or another pet, your canine might be sad and lonely. Introduce another pet into the home with whom they can play with and share a space.

When you have tried treatment methods and your dog’s mood hasn’t turned back to normal, then you should visit the vet once again. Doing everything you can ensure that your pooch lives a happy and healthy life.

How to Take Care of Your Kid’s Mental Health in a Hectic Schedule?

We are all living through situations where we are working hard to make ends meet. So, if you thought that you aren’t doing enough for your child, chances are that you are all wrong about the same. But, in the rush of earning money to buy cheap products from DHgate china wholesale marketing and other brands, you need to stop and realize that you are likely missing out on something big – your child’s growth.

 

Here, we are going to share some of the important things you need to do to take care of your child’s mental health.

 

Focus on your mental health first

 

It is counterproductive if you try to fix your child’s mental health but can’t even take care of your mental health first. So, if you want to stay ahead of your child’s mental health, you must prioritize your mental health first. If you aren’t in a good position, see a therapist, you could check out a Psychologist in Melbourne or in a place closer to where you are, you may also want to talk to someone who can help you out of the issues you are facing. It does become a lot easier for you to handle your child’s mental health when you are taking care of your own as well.

 

Listen to them

 

Oftentimes, we find ourselves silencing our kids instead of reaching out to them and asking them what’s wrong. If your child is struggling with anything, chances are they are going to come to you to clarify the issues. Instead of shunning them out, listen to what they have to say. Even if you can’t help them at the moment, a child often feels a lot better when they are being listened to.

 

Give them a chance to explain

 

Oftentimes, we get angry when our child does something wrong, and rightfully so. But, how often do you make your child sit down and listen to their side of the story? Not often, right? That is where you are going wrong. There are chances that your child might have done something when provoked or they didn’t do anything on purpose. Whatever the situation be, you must always give them a safe space to let them speak and clarify their side.

 

Spend time with them

 

One of the primary issues of mental health arises from feelings of abandonment. So, if you are not spending enough time with your kids, chances are that they are going to feel abandoned and not welcomed in their life. So, try and spend more time with them and ask them about their day and what new they learned, and what made them happy during the day.

 

If you want to keep your child’s mental health in check, you must keep a check on the above points that we have mentioned above. Often, we end up taking our children for granted and that is what ends up affecting the child’s mental health in the long run. So, instead of giving up on the small things, try and focus on doing the best you can for your kids.

 

Tips To Help You Pick a Suitable Family Dentist

When it comes to choosing any kind of healthcare professional, it’s extremely important that you look for someone that is compatible with you and your family. They need to be friendly, they need to be caring, and they need to be easy to talk with. If you find that your dentist never really listens to you or always does a bad job of things, then you may want to consider speaking to a different dental practice, like Narre Warren Dentist who come highly recommended and register with them instead. Very few people enjoy going to the dentist, and if joining a practice that has been known to not only make their patients feel comfortable but produce good results will persuade you to go, then that is what you must do.

Dental practices are also expected to have an array of first aid equipment. For example, installing a defibrillator for dentist practices is considered an industry standard nowadays. And to help you avoid being disappointed several times in a row, we’ve put together some tips that will help you find a suitable family dentist.

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Don’t just rely on reviews–go and meet the people at the dental practice as well

Reviews can only do so much. Anything that’s between a 4 and 5 star is generally going to be pretty good, but there are a few things that will be subjective. It’s difficult to determine if they’re a caring and innovative dentist or not from just the rating alone. For example, some people might prefer a dental practice that does the job quickly and efficiently without much interaction. However, others might prefer a more personalized dental experience with friendly staff that talks more and focuses on building good relationships. Similarly, location can be a factor as well and people may prefer to visit a dentist in their vicinity rather than visiting a clinic far away. The Internet can be quite helpful in these matters as people can just search for dentists near them on the web and visit them. For instance, someone from Scarborough can just google ‘dentist Scarborough‘ and get many options of dentists near them to choose from. Additionally, they can look at their ratings and then pick one to visit.

As such, it’s a good idea to go and visit the dental practice at least once to get a better idea of what the practice is capable of. Don’t just rely on reviews that you see online!

Make sure the dental practice isn’t outdated

It’s a good idea to see if the dental practice you’ve chosen is using the latest dental technology. This might show on their website or it might be something they advertise when you sign up with them. They should talk about the latest treatment options they offer, and it should be clear that the practice offers a flexible lineup of services that meet your needs.

While most dental practices won’t be considered “outdateD”, what you’re really looking for here is a service similar to Main Street Dental that can offer all of the treatments and services you need. Some dental practices don’t offer much in terms of emergency services, so you generally want to avoid these if you can. Others might have very limited spots and you may be placed on a long waiting list to even register.

Understand your insurance and how the dental practice can fit around it

Insurance is a concern that you’ll need to think about before registering at a dental practice. Some costs might be covered by your insurance and others might be limited based on the network that it covers. Make sure these terms and conditions are clear before you register for a dental practice. Emergencies are inevitable, so ensure that when you have to get fillings with the emergency dentist in Friendswood, your insurance is able to cover the costs.

So if you want to take better care of your teeth, it’s a good idea to follow these tips to help you pick a suitable family dentist. Not only does it offer you a better service, but it also ensures that your children also get a great dentist that everyone can rely on.

Go Further With Your Fitness Goals By Taking These Steps

Use The Tech Wisely

First, you should make sure that you are using the tech that is available to you. For instance, you should start by investing in some tracking technology. As the name suggests, this tech will help you track your performance and your progress, ensuring that you are always on the right line here. It’s that simple. The price of this tech does tend to vary so you need to make sure that the option you choose matches your budget.

Of course, you could also be a little more bold and adventurous with your tech choices. For instance, you can think about investing in a peloton. This is perfect as you will have the tool you need to get fit as well as a key source of motivation. There will be a professional on-screen driving you forward and you can also stick to a set schedule that you will need to follow. This is a big investment so before you buy the bike, you need to make sure that you are completely committed to the idea of getting fit.

You should also think about whether the right tech can help you recover faster than before. This should be possible with options like AirPhysio. You can see a review of AirPhysio here and it can be key to removing a build-up of mucus in your lungs. This mucus can stop your lungs from functioning effectively. By removing it you can avoid feeling out of breath when you exercise. This will allow you to work out for longer than before and achieve greater results.

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Hire A PT

You might have tried working out before and you could have seen limited results. A lot of people tend to believe that this means you didn’t put in the right level of effort. While that’s a possibility, it could also be that you just weren’t exercising the right way. If that’s the case then you might need a personal trainer to keep you on the right track. Industry professionals, like these sheffield personal trainers, will provide you with a routine that perfectly matches your personal goal and help provide the motivation that you need to achieve them. A little bit of motivation, and the right guidance could go a long way in achieving the body of your dreams. Thus, hiring a Personal trainer in Bristol or wherever you live might ensure that you stay in the best shape, just like celebrities tend to!

If you can’t afford a PT you could also think about joining a fitness class. In doing so, you can ensure that you are working with people who have similar goals to you and are on the same path. You can also look into helpful workout routines and exercises online if you are stuck for variety, why not check here to see some that may grab your eye and add extra to your daily workout. Research shows that working out with others in groups can also be more beneficial rather than working out alone. It’s possible that right now gyms aren’t open when you are but that’s okay. There are lots of classes that will provide remote support. This means that you will be able to work out from the comfort of your own home. However, if you aren’t too fond of working out at home or believe you might do better in a gym, then you may need to check online to find the best gyms near you.

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Get The Right Fuel

When you’re working towards new fitness goals, you need to give your body the right fuel. This can be quite difficult and you might be surprised at just how many minerals and vitamins your body needs to function effectively with a fitness routine. It’s vital that you get enough protein too otherwise you are not going to see the results you want. This is particularly important if you are trying to build up muscle and strengthen your core. That’s why you might want to consider using supplements. With the right supplements, your body will feel more powerful and ready to go each time you exercise.

Do be aware that not all supplements are equal. You need to make sure that you are selecting wisely here. It is worth checking the reviews for different suppliers and options on the market. In doing so, you can guarantee that you are giving your body the right supplies it needs.

We hope this helps you understand how to go further with your fitness goals and take things to the next level. If you take these steps, you will speed up your fitness program and see results faster than you might have previously anticipated.

A Moms Who Rock Music Prize Package Giveaway

 

Sponsored By: Sugar Mountain PR

 

Hosted By: Love, Mrs. Mommy

2 WINNERS Will Receive:

A Moms Who Rock Music Prize Package!

A $112.00 TRV Giveaway! ($56 Prize Packs)

WIN 5 Albums (including 1 download link for The Great Indoors)! 

5 Albums
Genevieve Goings: The Great Indoors
The Bright Siders: A Mind of Your Own
Kelli Welli: Let’s Go, Pistachio!
Sara Watkins: Under the Pepper Tree
Tracy Bonham’s Melodeon Music House: Young Maestros, Vol. 1

 

Five newly released albums offer a mom’s perspective on songs for kids. All of these albums are available from various music sources this spring. 

 

Click HERE to Stream the Playlist on Spotify

 

Genevieve Goings: The Great Indoors

www.genevievegoings.com

The star of Disney’s Choo Choo Soul and a songwriter-producer for many children’s programs, releases this digital EP of five funky-fun original tunes for your next family dance party. The timely recording is from a new children’s record label called 8 Pound Gorilla Records out of Nashville.

Retail link

Video: “Shadow Puppets

 

The Bright Siders: A Mind of Your Own

www.thebrightsiders.com

The Bright Siders is a unique musical collaboration between Nashville-based Americana songwriter Kristin Andreassen and Brooklyn-based child psychiatrist (and mom) Kari Groff, MD. Together, they create music with the purpose of helping children connect to their emotions.

Retail link

Video: “The Moon & the Stars & Me

 

Kelli Welli: Let’s Go, Pistachio!
www.kelliwelli.com

Kelli is a Portland-based musician, visual artist, author and mom of twins who plays with everyday family as well as wordplay in her songwriting. Her new album is full of fun and whimsy for families with small children.

Retail link

Video: “Let’s Go, Pistachio!

 

Sara Watkins: Under the Pepper Tree

www.sarawatkins.com

Sara Watkins of the Grammy-winning groups Nickel Creek, I’m With Her, and The Watkins Family Hour, releases a family-friendly album of soothing songs, including several covers and two originals meant for sharing with the entire family.

Retail link

Video: “Blue Shadows on the Trail (feat. Nickel Creek)

 

Tracy Bonham’s Melodeon Music House: Young Maestros, Vol. 1

www.melodeonmusichouse.com

The iconic ’90s female rock star will release her first album for kids — a music education and video series that’s an outgrowth of her new Melodeon Music House program. These songs reflect Tracy’s approach to teaching music theory, with lyrics and sounds full of joy to invite physical engagement.

Retail link

Video: “Me Symphony

 

About Sugar Mountain

Sugar Mountain PR is a public relations agency specializing in 
award-winning music and other media for children.

 

Open To US and must be 18+ to enter

Giveaway Dates ~ 3/5 9:00AM EST through 4/2 11:59PM EST


Disclosure: Love, Mrs. Mommy and all participating bloggers are not held responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations. This giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook or any other social media site. The winners will be randomly drawn by Giveaway Tools and will be notified by email. Winners have 48 hours to reply before a replacement winner will be drawn. If you would like to participate in an event like this please contact LoveMrsMommy (at) gmail (dot) com.

Dog Training Basics: The Beginner’s Guide To Training Your Dog

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Having a dog is a wonderful experience. As a result, it should come as no surprise that over 60 million US households have a dog. They are not only fun to have around, but are fiercely loyal and can provide companionship to anyone. It can also be a lot of fun to pick up toys, accessories and gear for your dog from sources like Furry Friends Gear to help give them the best life experience possible.

However, while dogs can be a joy to have around, not all dogs are inherently well-behaved. A misbehaving dog can be destructive, annoying, or even aggressive in some cases. As a result, training your dog is very important. Unfortunately, this is often easier said than done. However, there are many places to buy restraint, not only basics like Dog Collars and leads but also muzzles and harnesses too. This will help with the training, but it is unlikely you will be able to train on your own if your dog is acting up, so perhaps you can look for a training specialist as well.

In an effort to help you out, this guide is going to go over a few basics when it comes to training your dog successfully.

Stay Calm and Positive

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An important aspect of training your dog is to stay calm and positive. While it would be lovely if your dog understood everything the first time and was flawless, this isn’t likely to be the case. Your dog will mess some things up and things will certainly not go according to plan. But instead of getting mad and freaking out, it is important to stay calm and remain positive.

The tone you use and how you approach training can have a big impact on how successful it is. While a harsh correction or yelling might work in the short term to get your dog to stop doing something or pay attention, it won’t be effective long term and simply isn’t a very nice way to go about things. If your dog is trained using aggressive tactics or tones, it is more likely they will become aggressive themselves.

If you can use positive reinforcement and show your dog that you are happy with them, they will often repeat the process in the future. While some might do the right thing inherently, others may need to be provided treats during the early days of training. You can buy some food dispensing dog toys for this occasion, and let your dog play with them for a treat as a form of positive reinforcement.

Keep Sessions Short

In most cases, it is a good idea to keep training sessions relatively short. Even if the dog were to be signed up for a Gateshead Dog Training class or a similar program, the trainers there may have the same opinion too. While this can vary on a case-to-case basis, keeping them around 10-15 minutes is ideal. Training your dog will not happen overnight. Trying to put in multi-hour days to teach your dog a new skill or behavior in only a day or two simply will not work. It takes time for lessons to stick, and it is not something you can rush.

So once or twice a day, take your dog aside and attempt to train them. This could be training them to sit, to do their business outside, to stay, to come or anything in between. Not only are these short sessions easier to fit in your day, but most dogs have relatively short attention spans. If the training goes too long, they could become bored or restless, and the lessons will become more difficult.

Minimize Distractions

Distractions are often the biggest enemy of a successful training session. As a result, be sure to choose a time and location where you can train free from distraction. Things like spouses, children, or even the sounds and sights of the outdoors can make it difficult for dogs to focus. Choose a time where you don’t feel rushed and when you won’t be interrupted at all.

A storage room, your basement or a spare bedroom are generally good places to train where you can be alone and free from any distractions. If your dog is distracted, it could multiply the time it takes for lessons to stick by a lot.

If you simply cannot train in a place with no distractions, take steps to help your dog ignore distractions. While this isn’t always easy, it can be worth it for a well-trained dog.

In conclusion, we hope that this article has been able to help you train your dog successfully.

Birchbury

Our family is making a switch from ‘normal’ shoe wearing to minimalist, barefoot shoes. There are so many benefits to our feet being in barefoot shoes that make so much sense to me.

If you are hearing these terms – minimalist shoe, barefoot shoes – for the first time, stay tuned. I go into what these terms mean just a little bit in this review, but in a few weeks will publish an article all about what minimalist and barefoot shoe wearing is. I will also include many shoes that we have and love and recommend to our readers.

As for Birchbury, they are a brand that creates the minimalist leather shoe called Bramfords. These shoes are stylish, comfortable shoes that look great and won’t hurt your feet.

I am so thrilled to have found Birchbury in all of my minimalist shoe research. These shoes are so perfect for my husband to wear.

The first time my husband put the Bramfords on his feet he said: “A lot of times when you get new shoes they don’t feel comfortable right away, these aren’t like that. They feel comfortable already.” Now, my husband isn’t one for liking things. Seriously, I have to beg him to buy new clothes, and that normally doesn’t even work. Most of the time I buy him new clothes and shoes that I think look good, but most importantly, ones that will be comfortable. The only thing he cares about is comfort, so him saying what he did what such a huge relief!

Made with full-grain American leather, these shoes are made to last. The leather is imported from the United States to Vietnam where the shoes are assembled. This offers the best quality for the price.

Bamfords are designed with elastic shoelaces, which are very different than many other men’s shoes. This elastic allows for easy slip on and slip off of the shoes. Possibly the best part of the elastic is that the shoes won’t come untied while wearing them.

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The Bamfords offer a wide toe-box which is so important to foot health. This allows toes to move freely, just as they were intended, while the shoe is being worn. Not only that, but these shoes also allow our feet to follow the natural curves of the foot. Keeping our correct foot shape.

I believe this is why my husband thought these shoes were so comfortable. His feet weren’t being forced into a tiny space where they are all squished and hurting. This wide toe-box gives him the comfort and ease of motion while walking.

Birchbury offers a 30-day no questions asked refund policy. It’s a pretty generous policy, in my opinion. If the shoes have been worn outside, the refund will be honored still. They truly are risk-free!

If size is a question, be sure to print off the sizing chart. Simply choose the size, print it off, and place your foot on top of the lines. The size of the actual insoles will be printed, so you will know pretty easily which size is the best for you. If you are still questioning, Birchbury recommends that you order two sizes and then decide once you have received them. They will take care of the refund for you, as long as it’s within their 30-day time frame.

One added bonus that Birchbury included in their shipment box is felt stickers. These stickers are perfect to add to the shoe if you feel they need to be just a bit more snug. They can be place on the back side of the inside of the shoe (where the heel sits) to create a snugger fit. I love that these were included because many of our other shoes (that we actually need felt inserts for) didn’t include them in.

The wide, soft minimalist leather sneaker is an ultra-comfortable shoe. Take my husbands word for it, they are comfortable from the moment you step into them.