17 Great Ways to Bond with your Dog

On average, a dog owner spends about 40 minutes with their pet every day. The attention that pet owners give their pets causes them to thrive. Studies show that spending time with pets like dogs helps improve the health of their owners. Even so, the time spent with dogs needs to feature activities that make it fun for both the owner and the pet. As a dog owner, you need to consider activities you want to engage in with your pet when choosing a dog breed. Here are various ways you can engage and spend more hours with your dog:

1.   Take it to pet events

If you reside in urban areas, there are numerous pet events that go on in the city during summer. Make enquiries or check listings in your areas to find friendly events where you can hang out with your pet. During such events, your dog can socialize with other dogs and have fun in the excellent summer weather. You can even opt to invite other families and friends who own pets for a pet-friendly event in your own home.

2.   Share little moments

You do not necessarily need to put hours of your free time to your do to show it some love. You can talk to it while going about your chores in the house. It really does not matter much about what you talk to it about, just maintain eye contact and be attentive to it. In the evening, brush your dog as you watch television or read to your kids. During the day take some time to play with your dog. There are many different dog fetch toys or tug of war toys available. You are surely to find something you and your dog enjoy!

3.   Teach it to obey

If you are too busy to take your dog for a ball tossing session in the backyard, consider giving your dog some attention by helping it practice some obedience skills while you make dinner, do some paperwork or fold laundry. You can teach it simple skills like getting a rolling ball, sit-stays and lay down stays and horn them over time. Ensure the sessions are light and easy, just what he needs to refresh his skills while soaking in some attention.

4.   Take it out on errands

If you have a dog that enjoys seeing different sceneries, take it with you the next time you go out for a walk or a drive outside your home. For this work well, ensure that the errands you are going for don’t require you to leave the dog in the car for a long period. There are more and more dog friendly locations these days.

5.   Take it to outings

During summer, the activities you can enjoy with your dog are endless. From hiking, biking to trail runs and beach days, these are possible activities that your dog can enjoy. You can have it running along as you engage in workout or have it hangout with you on the beach. All you need to do is to ensure that your dog is well hydrated with clean water and fed during the outing. Also, bear in mind the laws that apply in the areas you choose to hangout and keep an eye on it to ensure he stays safe. 

         6.   Take it to the pet store with you

When you go picking routine stuff like litter and food for your pet, take your dog with you. A visit to the pet store can be much fun for your dog because while there, he can try out some new toys and enjoy some treats in your local pet store. You may also consider stopping at a restaurant with your dog on your way back just to spend some more time with your dog.

7.   Engage it in outdoor chores

If you own a home, you probably spend your weekends doing some yard work like mowing or watering the lawn, raking leaves, shoveling and blowing the snow if you live in a cold area and tending to the shrubs. You can find ways to make these activities fun for your dog. For instance, you can rake leaves with your dog or just watch it romp in the leaves. 

8.   Groom and bond with your dog

Owning a dog comes with some grooming responsibilities. For instance, you need to bath and brush your dog as well as clean his ears, teeth and trim his nails. Rather than seeing these responsibilities as regular chores, turn them into a bonding experience. As you groom your dog, connect and talk to it as well as have fun with it during the process. The act of brushing or grooming your dog can also be a bonding experience.

9.   Take it out for a treat

Though many cafes do not allow pets, there are some restaurants that target pet owners and allow them to bring their dogs in. These are mainly available in big cities such as San Diego and New York but you could find them in a city near you if you search for them. Some other options could include informing cafes that you prefer ahead to find out whether there are patio seating available so you bring your dog along with you.

10.         Make hospital visits

This is not a common way of spending time with your pet, but it is a critical one. If you have a dog that grew up in a family set up, he is probably lonely after your kids leave for college. You can reduce this loneliness by taking your dog for hospital visits one day per week. Such visits would not only boost your morale and that of your pet, but also that of other people in hospital facilities.

11.         Teach Your Dog to track items

Pick items that carry you scent and play hide and seek with your dog. This will help you teach your dog how to track crimes. For instance, during winter, you may place a milk bone in a glove or even bury it under the snow and send you dog out to go find it. Consider testing your dog’s agility by creating obstacles and overcoming them together. This requires you to put up a professional set up so you run alongside your dog. You can also watch some pet videos with your dog on this then practice the same. 

12.         Walk Your Dog

Walks are an important part of a dog’s life. These walks give your dog the opportunity to investigate areas outside the home. On walks dogs can smell other dog’s scents and marking to tell which dogs have been through the area. Taking your dog on walks will be a positive experience for your dog. This will help strengthen your bond with your dog.

13.         Take Your Dog to Dog Parks

Dog parks give your dog the opportunity to socialize with other dogs. Your dog will most likely run off and play with other dogs, however this is still a bonding experience because you are the one taking your dog which is another positive experience with you. This will also help your dog be more emotionally stable because of the other dog interactions.

14.         Let your Dog Splash in Water

Dogs love water and will enjoy the opportunity to splash in the water you provided them. In general this fits into the category of spending more time with your dog doing things it enjoys. This is a recipe for some serious bonding!

15.         Remain Calm

In general, when people are calm they are more approachable. Dogs also pick up on these behaviors and avoid you when you are loud and erratic if it’s in an aggressive nature. Remaining calm will make your dog feel like you are approachable at any time. This will make you dog feel welcome when around you resulting in the dog hanging around more.

16.         Understand what stresses out your dog

Different dogs like different things. There are also times when your dog can be spooked such as during rough weather, when cats are around, etc. It’s good to know your dogs behavior to limit the amount of distress the dog can develop which can lead to emotional development problems which result it behaviors such as peeing in bad places or being destructive. These behaviors do NOT lead to bonding.

17.         Praise the Dog to Promote Desired Behavior

This goes along with emotional distress. If you positively promote your dog’s behavior when they do something you like it will lead to better behavior overall. Your dog will understand what your expectations are and will do the things you like even more. This will strengthen your bond with your dog when you feel they are obedient and well behaved.

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Making Your House Green with These Eco-Friendly House Ideas

Building a new home can be expensive enough, so it is wise to invest in materials and design choices that will continue to minimise costs throughout the life of your home. It is also the responsible, environmental friendly choice.

Another thing to remember is that a house should function as an integrated system, where each area functions with respect to all the others. This will not only make for a more energy efficient home, but more comfortable as well.

Most of these alternatives have been around for some time already, though in more recent years there has been a stronger push to integrate as many eco-friendly aspects of design together into a functioning and dynamic whole.

Here are some of the primary design factors to consider when building for sustainability.

Doors and Windows

Poor sealing on windows and doors will often be the primary source of unnecessary temperature leaks. Opt for a heavier door and maintain the weather stripping around the perimeter of every door, paying attention to the most frequented entrances and exits. Periodically replacing the seals around the doors will ensure your energy costs remain low.

Regarding windows, look for EnergyStar certification. Energy savings will range from several to many hundreds of dollars each year, depending on the size of the house. Choosing quality windows instead of single pane alternatives is a decisive step towards a more eco conscious home.

Ducts

For those that live in environments that place greater demands on the heating and cooling system, an efficient duct system in crucial. Without a well constructed duct system, a significant amount of the warm or cool air will be lost along the way, causing unnecessary surges in energy consumption.

The system should be well sealed and the filters kept clean. Switch out dirty filters when possible to maximize airflow and keep the duct-ways free from accumulations of dust and dirt.

Insulation 

Once the commitment has been made to keep the duct system clean and minimise temperature leaks with proper seals, it makes no sense whatsoever to ignore the insulation. Poor insulation is another common vector for energy waste and choosing one that will continue to perform well over time will continue to keep energy costs low for years to come.

It is no fun to replace, and anyone you hire to do so for you will charge accordingly. Even with the expenses involved in building a house, it would be ill-advised to try to save money on inferior insulation. It will save much more in the long run if you opt for quality insulation in favour of a cheaper alternative. Poorly made insulation also is likely to have a more negative environmental impact when it inevitably does need to be ripped out and replaced. Environmentally friendly insulation these days is generally no less effective and no more expensive than other less green options.

Kitchen and Bathrooms

You may consider choosing LPG, natural gas as energy source over electricity, as in many regions, LPG is the most efficient fuel for cooking. The gas-based fuels are stored in tanks or compact gas cylinders that can be installed above and below ground. These units are produced in various forms to suit a wide range of indoor and outdoor applications.

It may not seem like an obvious factor in the cost of keeping up your home, but the quality of the fixtures you select can ultimately have a significant effect on the level of water consumption in your home. The EPA has reported that leaks can account for as much a tenth of the average water bill.

The water heater can also cause unnecessary water use. Reducing the time spent running the faucets while waiting for the hot water is an easy way to cut both water and energy bills.

Another increasingly popular adaptation to conserve water are dual-flush toilets. Low flow toilets may be fine for liquid waste, but the extra flushes often needed to effectively dispose of solid waste can cancel out what water is being saved. It is not unusual to see toilet water use be very nearly cut in half for households which have opted for toilets capable of mediating the amount of water used when flushing.

Lighting

Lighting is another fairly straightforward element when it comes to streamlining your home’s overall energy consumption. EnergyStar certified bulbs require 75% less energy to produce comparable levels of illumination to conventional bulbs. They also usually last around 25 times longer. According to EnergyStar, the typical savings over the lifetime of a single certified bulb can easily exceed one hundred dollars.

Additionally, identifying and making use of the available natural light will further reduce lighting costs, as well as give an area an open and relaxing feel. Skylights are a popular and low-cost option for bringing in natural light when considering home designs.

Recycled Materials

Whenever possible, choosing recycled materials in home construction and design will not only save money, but is in perfect harmony with the spirit of your eco friendly home. There is no better way to infuse the structure of a house with materials which not only minimised environmental impact but have been tested and proven to be up the task of providing and strong and durable foundations for your home.

Finishing touches, such as sustainable flooring can add that final layer and be and ever present reminder that your home is complete. Whether you prefer the most environmentally friendly flooring options or simply need that last layer of comfort, the decision will be one you see every day and should be a pleasant reminder of what you have accomplished for yourself, your family and the environment.

Conclusion

After reviewing these aspects environmentally friendly design, it is easy to see how most of these energy saving principles can overlap and reinforce one another. Sustainable designs tend towards integration. Being open to the process and allowing it to flow forth from itself will not only be more fun but will yield more satisfying results.

Related article: Baby proofing your home

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A Guide to Sprinkler Irrigation System Design to Save Water

Creating your own yard sprinkler system design can save you lots of water, time, and money. The most essential step that you must take if you want to develop a great eco-friendly, cost-saving yard sprinkler system design is to research. One of the best places to start your research is the internet.

Internet research can save you a lot of time avoiding trial and error, which can grow very expensive. Once you have started your research, you will find the following basic steps that one must take to create and implement a sprinkler system design:

●       Measure your yard and the area in which you want to install your sprinkler system, then draw a map of the area. IrrigationTutorials.com recommends graphing paper. Make sure that you include elevation changes.

●       In your blueprint of your yard, include building structures and other things that maybe in the design area.

●       Identify your water supply source and measure your water supply.

●       Choose the location of your sprinkler heads and nozzles.

●       Determine the sizes and location of your valves and pipes.

It is most important that you thoroughly research Sprinkler Irrigation System Design and Irrigation Suppliers and Supplies. In this article, we will review the basics of both.

Sprinkler Irrigation System Design

Sprinkler Irrigation System Design can be complex, yet it is highly possible, and can be down right enjoyable, once you have learned its basic principles.

IrrigationTools.com highlight two important things that one must do before beginning the design of their sprinkler irrigation system: Water Flow Measurement and Sprinkler Spacing. You must know these things because the layout of your design will be contingent upon these factors.

●       Water Flow Measurement and Water Pressure: Water Flow Measurement is the process that involves measuring the flow rate of your home's water water supply system which measured in gallons per minute units. The best way to measure your flow is measure the volume of water supplied by your pipes. Thus, "pipe size must be taken into consideration," states IrrigationTutorials.com.

●       Along with water flow, you need to make certain that you have the right amount of water pressure, otherwise there will be either too much or not enough force from your water supply system to activate the sprinklers. IrrigationTutorials.com refers to this force as "the energy that is necessary to push the water through the pipes."

●       Sprinkler Spacing: Sprinkler Spacing is determined by water flow measurement and water pressure. Simply put, there has to be enough water reaching the sprinklers to provide enough watering coverage for your lawn, which requires the right amount of water in your water supply system and water pressure. This impacts spacing because the less pressure in your water supply system, the closer your sprinklers will need to be positioned for full coverage of the area.

However, the more pressure provided by your water supply system, the further apart your sprinklers will need to be positioned, otherwise you will risk overwatering the designated area of your yard. Too little water coverage can cause yellowing of the grass in areas that didn't receive enough water. Too much water can damage to your lawn and/or garden as well. This where the appropriate choice of water tank pump, if needed, and pipes that will connect your water supply system to your sprinkler system has a major impact on the efficiency of the design for your sprinkler system layout.

Irrigation Suppliers and Supplies

Choosing the right irrigation suppliers and irrigation supplies is detrimental to the design for your sprinkler system. This is another aspect in which your research is most essential to your yard sprinkler system design. The irrigation tool suppliers that you choose need to be reputable and sell high quality products at a fair price. Purchasing your irrigation supplies online will help you to determine the best irrigation supplier to choose. As stated before, the pipes that you choose will be the most important supplies of your sprinkler system design.

Pipes determine:

●       Water route

●       Water pressure

●       Lawn coverage

In addition to your pipes, you need to make certain that your water tank pump is functioning efficiently because it works with them to provide pressure for your water supply system. Onga water tank pumps are known for being durable and efficient.

There are many types of onga water tank pumps for suburban and rural areas, a few examples are:

●       Enviromaster - for homes in cities and suburban areas.

●       Dominator - for homes located in rural areas.

●       AutoJet 40,60,80

●       Multimax 120

The Enviromaster and Dominator are great for lawn and garden irrigation in terms of harvesting water and providing great pressure. AutoJet 40,60,80 pumps are self-priming, automatic pressure tanks that can be good for irrigation due to their Press control which allows the pressure to be adjusted. Multimax 120 is not self-priming and must be primed before use, however it is powerful enough light commercial use in addition to lawn and garden irrigation. You can Onga water tank pumps and other irrigation supplies online.

Other irrigation supplies that will be needed are:

●       Water meters

●       Backflow preventer

●       Valves

●       Elevation Pressure loss

●       Sprinkler heads and nozzles

●       Laterals

●       Sprinkler risers

You can find these irrigation supplies online, also.

Many would think that internet research isn't best method for finding and choosing the best products for your project. However, researching and purchasing irrigation supplies online will allow you to compare a plethora of products from all over the world, consult with the makers of the products, ask experts for their advice, as well as talk to others who are designing their own yard sprinkler systems.

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