Why Dogs Make Such Great Companions

The latest blog post from Jeremy Bednarsh:

From the energetic and pint-sized Chihuahua to the docile 150- to 250-pound English Mastiff, all dogs make excellent companions. They bring an unparalleled level of joy to a person’s life by providing him or her with a lifelong friend. Big or small, dogs make the perfect companions for the following reasons.

Dogs Are Always Happy to See Their Owner

Whether an owner has been away for a week or just a few hours, his or her dog will probably be eagerly awaiting their return by the front door. Dogs are always happy to see their owner, with many barking and wagging their tail when they hear their owner’s car pulling into the driveway.

Dogs Are Funny

Dogs do some funny things that are sure to put a smile on their owner’s face. A dog may bury and horde his treats under the couch, for example, instead of eating them. Some dogs even play by chasing their tail around in circles. These priceless moments make owning a dog well worth the commitment, but this is just one of many reasons dogs make great companions.

Dogs Lower Stress Levels

Studies have shown that people who own dogs are less stressed than their counterparts who do not. Just petting a dog causes a near-instant biochemical reaction in the body that’s characterized by lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. People who raise and live with dogs experience this daily. And with lower cortisol levels, owners and their families can enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle.

Dogs Enjoy Cuddling

While some breeds do it more than others, most dogs enjoy cuddling with their owner. An owner may wake in the morning to discover his or her dog sleeping by their head. Dogs will also position themselves in their owner’s lap to take a midday nap.

Dogs Encourage Physical Activity

A benefit of owning a dog that many people overlook is increased physical activity. Depending on the breed and age, most dogs need about 30 minutes to one hour of exercise each day. Owners who walk and play with their dog outside will reap the benefits of increased physical activity and better health.

The decision to own a dog is a big commitment that shouldn’t be taken lightly. For individuals looking for a devoted new companion, however, a dog is the perfect fit.

 

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Easy Guitar Songs Anyone Can Learn to Play

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When it comes to playing guitar, it is not hard to gain impressive skills. In the world of pop music you need only learn just four simple chords and you can play an astounding number of songs. Or, if you prefer to start with some fingerpicking, there are some recognizable tunes that you can master in just a few short hours.

Here are a few of the best simple songs to memorize and add to your campfire repertoire.

 

Songs Using C, D, Em, and G

If you are able to master the chords C, D, Em, and G, you will have opened yourself up to a surprising amount of popular music, everything from Taylor Swift to Led Zepplin. A few good options for your first song include crowd favorites Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama, which both have a G, C, D chord progression. Another great option is Van Morrisson’s Brown Eyed Girl or Greenday’s Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) which surprisingly both follow a G, C, D, Em chord progression.

Check out this list for more songs with these four simple chords. Along with these classics there are many contemporary pop and hip-hop songs that can be fun, and sometimes funny, to play on the guitar that follow very simple chord progressions. Ultimate Guitar has chords for thousands of popular songs.

 

Simple Tabs

Playing a guitar by picking individual strings instead of strumming can make you look quite impressive to any audience. First, you will need to learn to read a guitar tablature. Once you have that down, a few easy songs to start with include Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes, Come As You Are by Nirvana, and Beat It by Michael Jackson. Check out how to play these and other songs here.

When you gain the ability to read a tablature, you are opened up to any song in the world. From there, it just takes lots of practice and dedication.

Once you have a few simple songs under you belt, try moving on to more difficult songs and learn more chords. Here is a list of songs that would be good to try next. Don’t forget to practice and build up your calluses. Before you know it, you’ll be nailing your own creations.

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Clean Eating for Dogs

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If you’ve joined the clean eating revolution, you know what an amazing impact it can have on your health and on your body. If you have a furry, four-legged companion in your family, you may want to get them on the clean eating train as well. If so, read on and learn about the best and healthiest ways to get your pooch eating clean.

Eating clean is exceptionally healthy, but dogs are certainly designed different than people and so they have different health needs than we do. The simplest way to get your dog eating clean, is to keep true to the intention by using only real, whole foods. You’ll want to stay away from any items containing fillers and incorporate whole fruits and vegetables, grains, and humanely raised meats and proteins.

No matter if you decide to purchase pre-made pet foods that meet this criteria or if you decide to make your own food at home, you’ll want to be sure you include foods rich in the Glucosamine and Omega-3 Fatty Acids that dogs need. Make sure you read the label, because what you see isn’t always what you get. Dog foods can be filled with surprising things, so you can certainly check to see if the food your thinking of choosing meets the standards of nutrition established by the American Association of Feed Control Officials, which regulates the ingredients that can be included in pet food.

Providing your pup with optimal nutrition should be the ultimate goal, so you’ll want to ensure your providing the foods they eat in a manner that will work best for them. For example, certain foods should always be cooked prior to giving to your dog. Make sure you steer away from adding anything unnecessary, keeping foods whole is your best bet. You’ll also want to do some research the foods you plan on serving your four legged friend. Certain fruits and vegetables aren’t healthy for dogs, but many things like sweet potato, spinach, blueberries, apples, and carrots are pooch friendly. You can read more about helping your dog eat clean here.

Eating clean has a truly endless number of health benefits for both you and your favorite furry companion. Man’s best friends are relying on you to give them your very best!

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5 Tips for Budding Guitar Players

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Learning how to play the guitar can be rewarding and lead to a lifetime of musical enjoyment. Beginning players should focus on some things that will help them master the technique. Here are five tips for young guitar players.

Finger Dexterity
Learning to navigate the fretboard and master difficult chords, especially barre chords, requires good finger dexterity. Young guitar players should work on a few suggested finger stretching exercises, as well as simple techniques to build finger strength.

Study the Notes and Chords
While there are numerous stories of people learning to play guitar by ear, it is extremely helpful to study sheet music and chord charts. Understanding how the songs are composed and memorizing finger diagrams for chords, will help to expand the number of songs a player can enjoy.

Slow Down
Another important tip for young guitar players is to avoid trying to play too fast. While learning to shift from one note or chord to the next quickly is important, finger technique is a higher priority. Beginners benefit from slowing down their changes and concentrating on getting the finger placement correct.

Keep the Beat
Learning to play by using the correct beat of a song is one of the hardest things young guitar players try to master. To help keep the beat, young players need to learn how to use a metronome. Once a beginner learns some basics about reading guitar music, it will be simple to input the correct beat for any song using a metronome.

Practice, Practice and Practice More
Even the greatest guitar players in the world practice for hours every day. While a novice guitar player may not aspire to reach such a worldly level, learning to play guitar style requires practice; lots of practice.

The finger memory skills needed to play guitar benefit from continuous repetition. It is best to set a practice schedule and stick to it. An excellent way to avoid boredom from repetitive scales is to incorporate popular guitar riffs into the practice session. Riffs are short notes and chord changes that build finger dexterity, plus they help the student learn short segments from their favorite songs.

 

These are five suggestions to help the young guitar player get off on the right foot when learning to play the guitar. Finger work and an appreciation of how to read sheet music are essential. The best players started slow and studied the beat. However, one thing is for certain, every great guitar player practiced and then practiced some more.

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4 Tips to Care for Your New Puppy

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Caring for a new puppy is not unlike taking care of a small child in that your new pet will be completely dependent on you for its overall daily functions– food, house training, play time, and more. Training your new puppy is no small task. Although bringing a puppy into your home is an exciting and rewarding experience, here’s a list of basic tips that will make the process a little easier for you.

Find a Trustworthy Veterinarian

The first thing you should do after bringing any animal into your home is take it to a veterinarian. This is especially important because puppies require proper vaccinations and you’ll want to ensure they’re happy and healthy from the start. Your initial visit to the vet should identify any potential health issues, schedule any vaccinations that need to be given, and set up a preventive health care routine.

Give Them The Best Quality Food

Feeding your new pup is an inevitable part of your job, which will mean buying specific food that has been formulated for puppies as opposed to adult dogs. Look for food that has been approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This will ensure that you have a high-quality food that will be good for your puppy’s health. If you’re unsure what brand/type of food is best for your puppy, this is definitely something to ask your new vet!

You should also be feeding your puppy multiple times a day. A puppy that is less than 12 weeks old should be eating four meals a day, while puppies that are between three to six months old should eat three times a day. Any puppy older than six months old can be fed twice a day which will be their daily routine throughout adulthood. You can make the jump from puppy food to dog food when your pet is between nine months and one year old, or as your vet directs.

Stick to Your House Training Routine

An established routine will be important for housebreaking your new puppy. Your routine should look something like this: your new puppy goes outside in the morning, after it has eaten a meal, before bed, but also about once per hour until it learns to go potty outside. Accidents will happen, so be ready to clean up the occasional mess. You’ll want to stock up on cleaning supplies that are pet-friendly to ensure a clean home without harming your pet!

Be Patient with Your Pup

The most important thing to remember about caring for a new puppy is to be patient. Your puppy is still getting used to living with you in your home with a new routine, so you will have occasional accidents or perhaps a chewed shoe. Remember that positive reinforcement is much more effective than punishment, so offer your puppy treats and praise when it does something right.

Overall, getting a new puppy is very excited! You’ll want to introduce your new pup to other pets and people to have your pup get used to being friendly. In time, you and your new pup will establish a daily routine and grow as a family together.

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Why You Should Adopt From Shelters, Not From Breeders

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Nothing compares to the unconditional loyalty of man’s best friend. Whether it’s a small Chihuahua or 120-pound Bullmastiff, dogs bring brighten the world with their fun-loving personalities and lifelong relationships with their owners. Anyone who’s looking to add a four-legged companion to their family, though, should consider adopting instead of buying from a breeder.

Have you ever heard of “adopt, don’t shop?” This campaign slogan is spreading rapidly to save the lives of our furry companions across the nation. When you adopt from shelters, you’re saving a life!

Shelters Are Overcrowded

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), approximately 3.3 million dogs enter animal shelters each year in the United States. Unfortunately, animal shelters lack the resources to care for all these dogs. By adopting, owners can free up space in the otherwise crowded shelters.

It Saves the Lives

The greatest benefit of adopting is the simple fact that it saves lives. The ASPCA notes that roughly 670,000 dogs are euthanized in animal shelters each year. If everyone adopted their dogs from shelters instead of buying them a breeder, virtually all these deaths could be prevented.

Laws

Some places like Toronto actually have laws prohibiting the sale of dogs or cats unless the pet is homeless or came from an animal shelter. In 2017, California passed a law banning the sale of pets from puppy mills. As the nightmarish conditions of puppy mills are being unveiled, laws such as these will become more common throughout the United States and elsewhere.

Easier to Train

While there are always exceptions, adopted dogs are typically easier to potty train than their counterparts purchased from a breeder. When a dog enters a shelter, the staff usually trains him to increase the chance of adoption. In comparison, breeders spend little to no time training their dogs.

More Appreciative

Adopted dogs are more appreciative of their owners than those purchased from a breeder. They’ve seen the hardships of shelters, so they know how lucky they are to have a home and loving family.

Free or Low-Cost Healthcare

Owners can also take advantage of free or low-cost pet healthcare when adopting a dog. Many U.S. animal shelters, for example, provide vaccinations, deworming medicine and spaying or neutering. While owners can always seek these healthcare services from other veterinary professionals, it’s typically cheaper from a shelter.

These are just a few reasons to adopt a dog. Once they’ve added a dog to their family, owners will probably discover other benefits of adoption as well.

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Best Dog Parks in San Diego

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As our furry companions, dogs bring joy to each home, fully loving their owners. In return for this unconditional love and affection, dogs require care, attention, and more. Running on such high energy, getting your dogs outside to enjoy nice weather in which they can run and roam. Get outdoors with your favorite pet and enjoy some time bonding over fetch and mingling with other dogs!

San Diego is home to some great dog parks. While many require dogs remain on a leash, dogs still have plenty of opportunity to get exercise and enjoy their time doing what they do best- being dogs! Here are some of the best dog parks in San Diego.

Woodglen Vista Dog Park

10250 Woodglen Vista Dr, Santee, CA, US, 92071

If you’re looking for a park to let your dog run around and make friends, Woodglen Vista is a great place to start! This fully fenced in location offers both sunshine and shaded areas for your dog to play. Because it’s fenced-in, you can let your dog off the leash. Water is also available for dogs!

Otay Ranch Town Center Dog Park

2015 Birch Rd, Chula Vista, CA, US, 91915

Another fenced in area for your dog to enjoy, Otay Ranch Town Center is a great dog park. This park is 10,000 square feet where your dog can enjoy time off-leash to release energy. Otay Ranch offers flexible hours as they’re open from 7am to 9pm.

Grape Street Dog Park

1900 28th St, San Diego, CA, US, 92104

Although this is not a fenced in park, dogs are welcome to roam off-leash at Grape Street. About 50% of this park is grass which offers shaded areas to catch a break from the sun. This great location offer views of downtown There is water offered for dogs as well as benches and picnic tables for owners to enjoy.

Kearney Mesa Dog Park

3170 Armstrong St, San Diego, CA, US, 92111

At this large, 1-acre fenced in area with running water, your dog will enjoy off-leash roaming as they play with the other dogs of the parks. The park also offers water bowls and baggies to keep your dog hydrated and cleaned up after.

Doyle Community and Dog Park

8175 Regents Rd, San Diego, CA, US, 92122

Doyle Community and Dog Park offers two areas– one for small dogs and large dogs. In addition to separate areas for dogs and their needs, this park also has water fountains, shaded structures, and even a barbecue area. If you want your dog to make friends and enjoy a large grassy area, Doyle Community and Dog Park is a great place to check out!

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3 Acoustic Guitars for Beginner Adults

The latest blog post from Jeremy Bednarsh:

So you’ve found time in your busy work schedule to indulge in a new hobby and you’ve chosen guitar. Learning guitar does not have to come at an early age, and many guitar players successfully learn in adulthood. The cliche “practice makes perfect” fits every instrument– the more you play, the more your skills will increase.

Yamaha FG800

($)

The Yamaha FG800 is one of every guitar expert’s go-to. The FG series of Yamaha are great guitars for those just starting out. If the 5G800 isn’t your style, you could look at any of the FG guitars. It’s a durable guitar with great sound that any beginner can, and will, enjoy. If you aren’t sure how well you’ll like learning guitar, this is an easy guitar to pick up or put down. The wood material in this guitar sounds better with age, so your guitar playing skills will only get better too. It’s great for beginners and experts alike!

Martin DX2MAE Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Mahogany

($$)

A full-sized, solid mahogany acoustic-electric guitar is what every dedicated guitarist needs for their first guitar. Keep in mind this is no guitar for those who will pick it up here and there. The Martin DX2MAE Dreadnought is for serious learnings looking for a lifelong hobby. This is a project series X guitar that’s ready for your living room and open-mic nights at every beck and call. This Martin is definitely on the higher end of beginner guitars and typically comes with a hard case to withstand road trips so you can play anywhere. You can certainly find this same basic guitar in other wood finishes that will give you a slightly different sound. Every guitar player truly must listen to the sound of the wood and find one that inspires them.

Taylor 114ce

($$$)

This guitar is one with an impressive shape. The cutaway acoustic-electric is a blended wood guitar with walnut back and sides and a solid Sitka spruce top. The Grand Auditorium has an incredible all-around sound good for strumming, fingerpicking, and even flatpicking. The Taylor 114ce is great for beginners to go from just learning to an impressive expert in no time. With the custom Taylor neck, you’ll be able to play and learn more easily. This guitar is designed to fit the true needs of guitar players looking for great sound, a great guitar, and fun, easy playing.

 

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Top Cars for 2018

The latest blog post from Jeremy Bednarsh:

As 2017 comes to an end, it’s human nature to begin thinking about updating your life with new year’s resolutions, latest technology, and even a new car. After sifting through an immense amount of 2018 model reviews, here’s a top pick list for cars in 2018.

Toyota Camry/Camry Hybrid

The Toyota Camry, as well as the Camry Hybrid, are widely popular cars and have been since the beginning of their existence. While the Camry isn’t a sports car, it’s perfect for everyday driving in a comfortably controlled vehicle. In this model’s update, the battery pack was moved from the trunk to under the seats, giving it easier handling.

As we all know, hybrids are great cars in terms of sustainable milage. The Camry Hybrid averages 44-51 mpg city and 47-53 mpg highway. Overall, this should be 2018’s go-to for a versatile sedan.

Kia Stinger

Changing the game of sport sedans, Kia launched it’s new and improved model– the Stinger. As Kia’s fastest 0-60 mph in just 4.7 seconds the Stinger GT is taking sports cars to a luxurious level. The interior technology was designed to impress with a voice-recognition bluetooth system and a stunning touch screen display.

Chevrolet Volt

For a new-age, sleek sedan, the Chevrolet Volt takes first place. This car has a 1.5L high-efficiency engine and two electric motors. With full power, this car is expected to average over 1,100 miles between electric and gas tank fill-ups. Running on a fully electric charge, this model then generates electricity using a gas-powered generator once the electric battery charge runs out.

Hyundai Sonata

Upgraded from the 2017 model is the 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The Sonata makes for an affordable car that provides a smooth, safe ride through blind spot protection and other bells and whistles. The relaxed, wrapped leather interior will put you at ease for a comfortable ride wherever you go.

Volvo XC90

If you’re looking for an SUV that provides mid-sized luxury compared to a top notch luxury sedan, the Volvo XC90 is a great choice. With advanced safety and driver’s assistance, this is you’re all around perfect family vehicle. The small engine of the XC90 packs big power into a 4-cylinder. An interesting feature of this car is it’s air suspension. When the car is parked, you can lower the rear, or even the entire vehicle for easier loading.  

Whether you prefer to ride in style or simply get the best bang for your buck, this well-rounded list is bound to have a car that suits you in 2018.

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Judging a Breed by it’s Cover: Pit Bull History

The latest blog post from Jeremy Bednarsh:

Did you know that Pit Bulls were once known as “America’s Dog”, in the 20th century? More so, a “Pit Bull” doesn’t refer to one specific breed. True breed names that fall under the category of Pit Bulls are: the American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, and the American Bully. All of those breeds fall under the category of “Pit Bulls” which is why there are a variety of shapes within the pit bull and it’s features.

So how can one breed once known as “America’s Dog” become a threatened breed with some completely against their existence? Breed labels are common connections between breeds that often allow a person to judge a dog by its breed. For example, golden retrievers are labeled as a family, friendly breed that’s easy to train and raise. But often, breed labeling can be inaccurate to a specific dog of that breed. Each and every dog is different, like humans, with different quirks, different personalities even.

The origin of Pit Bulls dates back to the 1800s when dogs were bred for bloodsports– cruel sports that usually had something to do with a bull, hence the name of the breed. Although they became illegal in 1835, Pit Bulls were brought over to America as cherished family dogs. Despite this breed’s intent to partake in bullfighting, the breed was also intended to be gentle with humans. A typical trait found in this breed today– whether you believe it or not.

During World War I and World War II, pit bulls were a breed that was used for advertising. As a trusted sign of fearlessness and bravery, Americans turned toward this breed in a time of war. With all of the positive attributions to pit bulls throughout decades in America, where did the pit bull reputation all go wrong?

From the early 1960s on through the 1980s, pit bulls were brought up in the streets of dogfighting. Through spiked collars and aggressive behaviors, Americans began to turn away from a breed that uncontrollably was connected with dog fighting. Even after dog fighting became illegal in 1978, the negative reputation of this breed carried on.

Although other breeds such as Dobermans, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and other breeds, have had their reputation threatened, Pit Bulls have had a long journey with a negative reputation. This is partially due to overbreeding and the underground world of dog fighting that still exists today. Another major cause for this is the amount of negative press Pit Bulls get.

Despite a widespread negative opinion of this breed, temperament tests prove the fear to be outdated. These statistics prove that Pit Bulls are an incredible breed with an unfortunate negative reputation. The American Temperament Testing Society (ATTS) measures various aspects of breeds and ranks them. Pit Bulls ranked 2nd in the test, showcasing what a great temperament this breed actually has.

Having made so many strides in recent years to showcase what great dogs Pit Bulls can be, it’s pretty clear that you can’t judge these dogs based on what fear has to say. So perhaps you should just a dog as an individual, rather than a breed.

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