HoundsGood: Chronicles of a Virtual Volunteer

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Allison Maslan, author of “Blast Off!”. All opinions are 100% mine.

There are many self help books out there particularly targeted at motivation and “life coaching.” Whether the focus is having a career or personal life take off, there are titles that come and go. The latest is a workbook to accompany the Blast Off! book, written by Allison Maslan, based on her experience as a motivational speaker and coach. I am very cautious about any “system” that purports to be life changing. Call me a cynic, but “feel good” books only go so far if they do not contain practical steps required to achieve an outcome. There is no magic pill or secret formula. It is indeed about a positive attitude, but there is also hard work, and having a little bit of talent in your chosen avocation, too.  Maybe I am impervious to warm and fuzzy, having spent my formative college years as a Franklin Covey girl checking off my “To Do” boxes and avoiding any celebrified methods.

One of the chapters “Blast Off! to Limitless Living” did not give me much hope that it is anything more than another “you can do it” tome with a slightly new agey bent.  The book retails for $24.00, but is also available on Amazon, where it can be purchased for less. However, there is a new workbook that was just released yesterday. Ah – that’s the key. The practical steps just might give readers a concrete outline on how to carry out the principles in the book.  I am not meaning to be a downer, but sometimes people can get very pumped when a motivational speaker is in front of them whipping up their energy, but the principles fizzle out in day to day life.  I know I need my butt kicked every once in awhile. Okay, more than once in awhile.

Maslan may have something there…she went from a single mom to successful businesswoman to happily married successful business woman. I am going to have to read to find out how she did it.  Books from folks who have achieved limitless business success are pretty worthless if the author did not achieve any level of personal happiness along the way.

Have you grabbed a copy of the Blast Off! workbook.  If so, what do you think?

The Saving Shelter Pets, Inc., fall auction is coming up, beginning October 12th. The auction will take place online. One of the donated items is a copy of Marley and Me. The book became instantly popular for its story of life “with the World’s Worst Dog.” This copy is hardcover and has been specially autographed by author John Grogan for the auction.  It would make a fabulous gift for someone this holiday season as well.

Bidding opens on October 12th. You can bookmark the auction now by CLICKING HERE  and saving it in your bookmarks.  There is also a place on the auction web page where you can spread the word and refer a friend to take a look as well.  Among the other items currently listed and being listed soon are original artwork, travel packages, books, pet items, and more.

Donations are still being accepted at this time.

To learn more about SSP’s work and mission visit SavingShelterPets.com or read past articles and stories on HoundsGood.com by clicking HERE.

Every so once in awhile, someone comes along and states that they have the best dog training show, best dog training book, or overall method. Many people believe that they have a “breakthrough,” such as a new technique, or understanding that no one else does. Sometimes they simply state that they compile the best out there from all over.

One more person is Sacramento based Kevin “The Dog Prodigy” Salem. The first thing his website says is that abusing, hitting, or tricking your dog is wrong, which I agree with. I also agree in positive reinforcement training, which has proven to be the kindest and one of the most effective methods. It is not clear what Salem’s technique actually is, other than it is called “The Diverse Method.” I understand that people usually don’t want to give away the secret recipe as others could duplicate it. However, when you have tested and mastered a technique, few people can because they don’t have enough practice with it to teach it or otherwise make money off of it, and not every single method works for every person/dog team.  Also, if you reveal more of what you are selling, it usually has the opposite effect: People trust and buy.  They don’t respond to only just “the results” when they are considering what is best for their four legged friend, just like they wouldn’t just do so when choosing a school for their human child.  Usually, the decision is made on more than just what other students have experienced, but are the right resources there for that individual to flourish.

There is some useful information on the site that makes you ponder.  There is an article about “Best & Worst Trainers Under a Microscope” and points are made about a dog only responding to one family member and/or when their favorite treat is present.  I have noticed when a training class is too big, some dogs do fall through the cracks as the trainer cannot observe everything at once.  However, the article also points out what makes a good, kind but firm, trainer.

Before settling on the right trainer for you, don’t be afraid to look beyond just their rates.  Interview them, and even look in on one of their classes. There is also not “just one” good training book.  Often, people gather tidbits here and there that they can use from a whole number of them.  In other words, don’t be nervous if you cannot choose just one. There are also trainers that are better at translating their methods into layman’s terms than others, at least in print, or to write something engaging.

Are Salem’s books something to add to the library, or are they chiefly tools to solicit clients?  It is a tough call.  I am hard pressed to find a review.  If you have read it, or have purchased it to read, let me know what you think.