HoundsGood: Chronicles of a Virtual Volunteer

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.

You’ve heard of the book What to Expect when You’re Expecting, but what about a book on what to expect if you are going to Federal Prison?

Federal Prison: A Comprehensive Survival Guide, by Jonathon Richards, is the first that I have seen that specifically covers the topic. There have been other, more general books published before. I hope that you never are compelled to buy this book to prepare yourself for a new home in prison.  However, a book like this will probably come in handy if you are either a writer wishing to add some authenticity to your story, or you are in prison ministry.  There are many volunteers who visit with inmates who have no one else to visit with. Some meet with inmates in a ministerial capacity as well.  There are other books on counseling people, but this book may be infinitely more useful in giving insight on the day to day routine an inmate may be experiencing.

While surely there are scuffles and stress, television shows and movies make one believe that there are more inmate murders in prison that there actually are.  What IS true is that others will get an impression on what type of person you are by who you hang out with.   For lower security settings, however, there is not a complete void of compassion.

Before you get up, it is proper etiquette to offer anything you are not going to eat to those at the table with you. Many inmates cannot afford commissary and rely on the chow hall entirely for their food so an extra apple or can of pudding can mean a lot. As they are getting up to leave, you will see many inmates knock the table twice. This is a sign that they are finished and are headed out. This is one of the many quirks of prison culture and before long, you will likely find yourself doing the same thing.

From just the synopsis and press materials, I also learned that 70% of those incarcerated are at one of the three types of facilities:

1) Federal Prison Camp (FPC)
Typically non violent offenders sentenced to under 120 months (referred to as minimum security federal prisons).
2) Federal Medical Center (FMC)
Offenders of all security levels who have a documented physical or mental medical condition. Also, child sex offenders.
3) Low Security Federal Correctional Institute (FCI)
Typically violent offenders or those sentenced to over 120 months.

This seems like a fascinating read, and is available in Ebook form online.  If you have a loved one who will be going to prison, it may be a helpful read as well.  From the feedback and reviews, it seems to have calmed fears for many people.  I don’t think prison should be demystified in the sense of normalizing the experience, but I think that knowledge prevents people from taking extreme measures.  There are many stories about people harming themselves and others when they are about to be admitted in either in an irrational attempt to avoid their sentence, or terror.

Have you read this book yet?  If so, are you a former inmate, a counselor, or a family member, and what did you think?

Ned Mansour’s latest work is a novel entitled Nice Average Guy . It is the story of Fitz, a hohum accountant with a hohum life who is pushed out of his comfort zone by an unorthodox therapist named Coach after Fitz’s wife leaves him.   The introspective journey he embarks on is far form preachy and contains insight and much humor.

What would I explore should I go on an introspective journey?  My fear of being stung by a wasp is one of them.  I have partial good reason to have this fear, as I was stung by bees twice in my life.  In one case, the bee was already long dead.  It died with its stinger up on the sidewalk and I stepped on it posthumously playing basketball in the driveway barefoot.  Of course, it is an unwarrante fear because I never have actually been stung by a wasp, but in my mind those bees were just innocent victims, whereas a wasp has more of a chip on its shoulder.  If I were to be serious about the matter, the real thing I would tackle would be my tendency to somedays think that I am a doublebagger.  Also, more so, I think that I lack confidence in my own ideas.  I tend to be the person who is “support staff”, encouraging other people to be successful and providing them the necessary ideas, tools, and encouragement, where I often feel I can’t come up with great ideas for my self.

The book is available directly from the author for purchase from the eponymous website.  Mansour, who enjoyed a long career at Mattel before picking up the pen, donates all proceeds from the book to TrinityKids Hospice Care. TrinityKids is a division of TrinityCare hospital. It serves children with terminal illness with the care that insures they are able to spend ample time at home and with family as much as possible. All children in Los Angeles county, regardless of the ability of the parents or guardian to pay, are eligible.

Do you know of any other authors that donate their royalties to charity?  Comment and let me know.  If you have read the book, I would love to also hear your review.

I am not one to read a lot of motivational books, not that I am not into bettering myself, but many of them set out to whip you into shape when you are whipped quite enough from your day to day life.    We all have our own stuff to deal with, but on top of it it is hard to look at the news sometimes.   Sometimes it is the actual content of what is going on in the world, and another big part of it is the sensationalism used to portray it and the inability to unplug sometimes with all of the emerging media.   It is hard to know sometimes if the world is really going to heck in a handbasket, or we are really suffering from a case of “TMI” (too much information).

Afterall, movie stars of the silver screen partied just as much as stars today, but they listened to publicists and certain parts of their life just wasn’t printed.

Life Inspirations Volume I is a book of inspirational poetry written by writer, musician, and minister Ozell Adkins.   Although it is not a “self help” book per se, the intent of the poetry is to act as inspirational letters to meditate on, consider, and to convey a message of hope and encouragement, that God’s purpose for your life is greater than any problem you may have. Many people go through times where they just want to give up, and Mr. Adkins wrote this collection when he himself was at a turning point.  His wish is to inspire people in a gentle way to “reach beyond” into the next stage of your life.

I wish Mr. Adkins the best of luck with his book.  There certainly is a need for more support and encouragement towards eachother, and it is nice to see someone that has their heart set on encouraging others.  This book was recommended to me, and I will surely be taking a closer look at it.