Dog behavior, Dog Training Styles and Theories

Dog training has two basic types of theory – classical conditioning and operant conditioning. The different types of dog training approaches are based on these two theories. Before you choose the type of training method you’d wish to use on your dog we highly suggest you discuss it with a professional dog trainer for the safety of both of you and your pet. Let’s discuss each theory in more detail.

Classical Conditioning

Pavlov, who is a Russian physiologist was the first person to study the Classical Conditioning theory. In his experiment, he feeds his dog at the same time as he rings his bell. He does this so that the taste of the food and the sound of the bell will happen simultaneously. Over time, the dog begins to associate the sound and the taste of the food together. When Pavlov rings the bell, the dog will start salivating even if there is no food yet. His experiment was a success because the dog has assimilated the stimulus in its subconscious. The dog salivated because it was triggered by a stimulus. This type of reaction didn’t happen before the training.

The theory is straightforward and easy to understand. According to Classical Conditioning, a stimulus regardless of kind (sound, smell, event) will instigate a reaction in any organism. This reaction is a result of association. This theory is popularly used in dog training. Here’s how.

When your dog hears the sound of the doorbell it starts barking. Your dog has conditioned its mind that when the doorbell makes a sound then it means someone is out there. If it’s your dog’s first time to hear the sound of the doorbell, it won’t bark. However, eventually, it will realize that whenever it makes a sound, it means someone is outside and your dog is conditioned to bark.

Operant Conditioning

Compared to Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning is more complex. This theory was studied closely by B.F. Skinner. In fact, he was hailed as the main creator behind this theory. Skinner studied both Reinforcers and Punishers. These are outside stimuli that either encourage or quell behavior. He used rats to study how living things would react both positively and negatively to specific stimuli. While Classical Conditioning targeted the subconscious, Operant Conditioning, on the other hand, targets conscious actions. Operant conditioning has 4 quadrants – positive reinforcement, negative punishment, positive punishment, and negative reinforcement. Let’s discuss each quadrant.

Positive Reinforcement – positive reinforcement is rewarding your dog for good behavior. The reward can come in various forms like a treat or attention or whatever object that your dog considers positive. You can give your dog a treat if it doesn’t bark at the sound of the doorbell or when it sits when you tell it to. According to dog trainers, this form of training is very effective because it’s been backed up by numerous proven and tested research work.

Negative Punishment – negative punishment is removing something positive whenever your dog misbehaves. Instead of scolding your dog, you’re choosing to withhold something positive. Although the term negative punishment may have a negative context, it’s surprisingly the second most effective method in dog training. An example of negative punishment is walking away from your dog when it barks at the sound of the doorbell or restricting your dog from getting inside your room when it eliminates inside the living room instead of the bathroom.

Positive Punishment – positive punishment is when you punish your dog for misbehaving with the use of force. Examples of positive punishment include alpha rolls, shocking, and swatting. This is not an effective method because it can lead to injury and trauma to your dog.

Negative Reinforcement – negative reinforcement focuses on removing anything painful from your dog when it does the right thing. An example of this is putting on a shock collar on your dog and letting it buzz until your dog performs the task correctly. This is also ineffective because it can make your dog nervous and terrified.

Takeaway

What type of dog training theory would you like to apply to your dog? We suggest you do your research and consult with professional dog trainers for the safety of your dog.

Nick White
Nick White
Nick White is the owner of Off Leash K9 Training. He has over 80 dog training franchise locations throughout the United States. He currently hosts the A&E show, America's Top Dog.

Luxury goods, How do you attract more candidates?  

When it is time to focus on recruitment, you will have to understand the importance of a well-rounded marketing plan around luxury goods.

It is not easy to do this and that is what holds people back over the long-term. You have to understand what your options are and focus on delivering great results that will continue to push you in the right direction.

It is these tips that are going to provide peace of mind and make things as easy as they need to be. Here are the tips to focus on as a business as you are setting it all up.

1. Emphasize Visual Social Media Platforms

The goal should always be to create visual social media ads that are easy for people to go through one by one. The premise behind doing this is to showcase what you are selling as that is when the luxury will start to come out.

People are going to fall in love with what you are putting up and that is going to help generate traction on the open market.

It is these tasteful ads that get the most traction and will lead to considerable results over time. You have to keep this in your back pocket as a business.

2. Target High-Income Consumers

When you are taking the time to set up ads, you will have the opportunity to target different types of leads. It is essential to keep these details in mind while you are going through all of the options that are out there on the open market.

The goal is to set up FaceBook ads that are going to allow you to target high-income customers.

This is a major part of any modern success story and it has to be on your mind as well. If not, you are going to see average results and the quality won’t be there the way you want it to be.

3. Established a Strong Brand

You have to take the time to build a brand around luxury goods as that is what sets the tone.

Just look at all of the other businesses that sell these types of goods. You are going to realize they are all focused on the finer details and make sure to create brand awareness. Over time, people begin to realize that their branding is what makes them great.

People associate with the brand and start to focus on different items that are sold by the brand. This is the real value of focusing on this element of your marketing and business setup.

4. Create a High-Value Sales Funnel

You will have to think about creating a sales funnel that will convert these candidates. There is nothing worse than bringing in new leads and then not being able to convert them into sales. This is a major part of selling luxury goods.

Your goal has to be to create a sales funnel that is dripping with luxury and is going to set the right tone. This is what people are on the lookout for and this is what they are going to keep their mind on during the process.

Final Thoughts

This is key information when it comes to managing luxury goods and ensuring the results are on par with what you want. There are a lot of businesses that struggle in this regard and that is what holds them back. By taking the time to create a proper sales funnel and marketing strategy, you are not going to have too much of a problem managing something like this.

Follow the tips listed here and watch as the leads start to pour in!

Olivier Isaac Safir
Olivier Isaac Safir
As Senior Partner of one of the world’s top Life Sciences headhunting firms, Olivier Isaac SAFIR's Blue Ocean Recruiting specializes in placing top quality executive talent for companies who are searching for C-Suite talent in the Luxury industries.

Tech Job Search – PLC System Architecture

Programmable logic controllers, or PLCs, are computers that have no monitor, mouse, or keyboards but do have microprocessors. It is used in controlling things like elevators, traffic lights, washing machines and has many other civil applications. To learn to use a PLC, it is recommended to get training on RSLogix 5000 or similar systems.

The basic architecture of a PLC consists of the processor with its power supply and the input/output modules. The processor has a central processing unit (CPU) and adequate memory. Interfaces are also required to programming devices and the I/O units. This programming allows for the continuous monitoring of inputs from sensors, that then create the necessary outputs that enable the operation of the actuators that are linked to any program. These PLCs can be programmed using any programming language that is standards-based. The most commonly used is Ladder logic also known as LD or Ladder diagram. These programs largely resemble electrical control diagrams.

PLC architecture resembles that in any general-purpose computer that has specialized input and output modules. However, they do have some characteristics that differentiate them form computers, the most important of which is that they have greater reliability than a general computer, having a mean time between failures that runs into years. Another characteristic that keeps it ahead of computers is that it can be placed in industrial environments that have a lot of electrical noise, humidity, extreme temperatures, and vibration. General purpose computers do require climate control and stable environments with no vibration and no interfering electrical circuits.

Depending on the amount of input and output that needs processing, I/O modules can be either on the same chassis as the CPU or housed elsewhere. Some PLC systems may have an architecture that houses a number of processors in the same chassis. Micro PLCs will have all the various units as part of a single package and can also have a panel that allows interface with the operator. Size limitations often limit the amount of input and output and this may not be expandable.

The CPU acts as a control for all operational processes within the PLC. It has a clock that operates at frequencies between 1 and 8 Mhz. The speed of operations within the PLC will depend on the frequency used and it is the frequency that is responsible for synchronization and timing of all the system’s elements. Digital signals carry information within the PLC on buses which are internal paths. A bus is essentially a conductor along which electrical signals are enabled to flow. These can be wires in a ribbon cable or tracks on a printed circuit board. Buses can be used for data (data bus), address buses to access locations for accessing any stored data or system buses that communicate between the I/O ports and I/O units.

CPUs will have arithmetic and logic units that carry out all the addition and subtraction, and the logic operations of AND, OR and NOT which will result in any manipulation of data. They will also have memory or registers that will be used to store any information that is needed for the program execution. They will, in addition, have control units that monitor and execute the timing of any required operations.

Information is transmitted in PLCs in binary form. The storage capacity of memory units depends on the number of binary words that it can store. Programs are stored in the memory. Memory elements can be ROM or read-only, or, RAM or random access that is used for the program and for data storage. Programs and data in the RAM can be changed by the user. PLCs may also have batteries that enable the RAM to prevent loss of programs when power is switched off.

Tom Archibeque
Tom Archibeque
Tom Archibeque is the instructor for Control Logic Training. He currently provides PLC training to maintenance and engineering personnel at Control Logic Training.

The Security Guard Outlook in The Modern World

While the FBI reports have shown that violent crime is down and has been falling for over 15 years, people are more afraid than ever. The news reports continue to show shootings at schools, companies, and in the home that have a lot of people worried about their safety. This has led many larger companies to install more secure entrances with a security guard to watch every single visitor and screen them on their way in. This, among other things, has led to a bright outlook in security service companies for highly trained professional security guards now and in the future. Here are some of the requirements that those individuals will need to get the best jobs.


Top Level Guards Make A Good Income

There are still jobs out there for a few of the older type of guards, the ones that sit in a chair all night with nothing to do but doze off. However, for the professionally trained guards there are now better jobs manning high tech security systems that monitor every part of a business from top to bottom.

Due to the rapid drop in prices for security cameras that have motion detection, infrared lighting, and wireless capabilities, more companies than ever are installing them by the hundreds. These cameras will need trained guards to monitor them and assess the level of danger with every alert. It wouldn’t be unusual for one guard to be monitoring 50-100 cameras with the help of software that alerts in case of every movement.

To Work in The Larger High-Tech Positions Training Is Necessary

With the terrorist attacks, school massacres, and workplace shootings, people are on edge and demand safety everywhere they go. The rogue elements in society have people scared and now good security guards are in demand. However, only those with top training will be able to take advantage of the best opportunities. They’ll need to be trained in crisis management, emergency procedures, evacuation techniques, handling daily problems and also keeping situations calm. All of these duties need expert training and possibly degrees in certain areas.

Guards will no longer be hired based on their sheer size and girth, instead those with intelligence, education, and the proper personality will get the best jobs with the best companies. Guards will need to have ongoing education, and certification in order to keep abreast of the latest technology, and the newest scams that criminals are attempting to employ. As the criminals get smarter, the technology to thwart their activities and the guards that monitor them will have to adjust to stay on top.

No longer will the security guard be the lowest paid person in every company, instead they may be middle management, with some security personnel working on computers all day to stop cyber-attacks from the internet. There may also be openings for undercover operators to stop industrial espionage, the feeding of trade secrets to competitors around the globe for high dollar bribes.

In the modern world, the Security Guard job outlook looks great for the intelligent, well educated person with the right personality and proper training. As more technology advances, there will be an ongoing need for more educated people in the security industry worldwide.

Tim Wilson
Tim Wilson

How Much Money Does a High Rise Window Cleaner Make?

High-Rise window washers who sit on a scaffold outside of the facility washing windows may start out at a very low wage of approximately $12 per hour. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average starting wage is just slightly above $13 per hour, although our Irvine window cleaning experts often do much better than that.

Those who are in the top ten percent may make as much as $20.71 an hour. The wages are based on how much experience the employee has, the geographic area, and how many stories the building has. A self-employed window washer may be paid by how many clients they are servicing as well as how long they’ve been in business and their skill level.

Another huge consideration is whether or not the window washer is working for a major corporation or a smaller corporation. Those who work for larger facilities tend to earn more than those who don’t. State agencies, as well as Local Government agencies, will pay slightly higher than smaller facilities. A Janitorial service that provides window washers may also pay more than someone who is simply paid by the facility to wash the windows of the facility.

Each state will pay a slightly different wage. The Federal minimum wage sets a precedence, and each state has their own personal state minimum wage. The hourly wage will vary accordingly taking this into considerations. Depending on the state, a high-rise window washer may earn as little as $24,000 annually upward to $75,000. The more experienced high-rise window washers will make more money.

Considering that it’s a dangerous profession standing on a scaffolding that is sometimes as many as 70 or more stories off the ground, many are hesitant to learn such a trade. Some facilities use rappelling in lieu of the scaffolding and the employees who are washing the windows will rappel from the top of the facility and work their way from the top down washing windows in this fashion.

It’s an ideal job position for a mountain climber who wishes to finely hone their mountain climbing and rappelling skills and earn a living at the same time. Those wishing to get into the profession will want to ask around at janitorial services and building maintenance services companies. There are many skill levels for this position and it’s typically understood that a person will be getting on the job training for such a job position.

For some companies, the only thing the employee is going to be doing is window washing, for others, they will also be expected to maintain the facility maintenance requirements and other maintenance requirements of the facility.

If a person is wanting to break into the business, they should anticipate starting at the lower end of the wage scale and work their way up to the higher end annual salary. This may take several years to a decade to achieve. Typically, due to the physical requirements, this is a job that is for younger generations although there are some who are still doing this type of job in their 40s and 50s.

Liz Slaney on FacebookLiz Slaney on Twitter
Liz Slaney
Liz Slaney
Liz Slaney owns and operates Squeegee Pro, a window cleaning company in Orange County, CA. Despite growing up in rainy Oregon, Liz always loved the sun shine of Southern California when visiting family in Orange County. So today she loves running Squeegee Pro and offering a quality service for nice people in Orange County.

What You Need To Qualify For Bad Credit Loans

This post is sponsored by monkeymoney.com.au

Having bad credit can be a killer if you want to get a traditional loan, as most lenders are nervous about lending to people with bad credit. Fortunately, there are bad credit loans that you will be able to apply for instead. Before you head to apply for these loans, you need to know what you have to have to qualify for them.

The Ability to Repay

Getting a bad credit loan does not mean that you do not have to meet certain qualification criteria. One of the most important is that you need to prove that you are able to repay the loan. Traditional lenders will look at your credit score to assess this, but bad credit loans need more information.

You will generally have to prove that you are employed or that you make enough each month to cover the loan repayments if you are self-employed. There are many lenders who will want more information about your debt to income ratio. This will tell the lender if you are paying other debts and if they will have to compete for your money.

Your Career Could Matter

There are some lenders who will also look at your career. These lenders are looking for more stability and will assess if you will be able to repay them if the economy sours. Your career will generally not be the deciding factor in whether or not you qualify for the loan. However, it is something that you could be asked about so it is best to have the information on hand.

Some Collateral

There are bad credit loan providers who will ask for collateral before they provide you with a loan. This will need to be something that has enough value to cover the loan or a percentage of the loan. The most common collateral that is used will be any property that you own.

The lenders want this collateral to limit their risk should you not be able to pay the loan back. If this happens, they will be able to take possession of your collateral and sell it to cover the loan. It is important that you carefully consider what you place as collateral and whether or not you will be able to repay the loan.

Getting A Guarantor

In order to qualify for a bad credit loan, you might have to get a guarantor. A guarantor is generally a close family member who will sign the loan with you and will be liable for loan repayments if you are not able to make them. The guarantor will generally have to be someone who has good credit and must be able to prove that they can repay the loan.

Other Factors

There are other factors that you need to consider when getting a bad credit loan. Most loan companies will not provide bad credit loans to people under the age of 21. You may also need to prove that you are a resident of the area and that you can be easily contacted by the lender.

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Uniforms On The Job – Hospitality Insights

A smart, clean and modern uniform is an essential part of the face that workers at resorts and hotels need to show to the world. There are two primary reasons for this – one is inward-looking and the other is guest-facing.

Maid in Uniform, dustingThe inward-looking aspect is fairly simple to explain. A smart uniform provides staff with a sense of identity. It is a constant reminder that they are part of both an organization and a team – and that they are valued members of that team. A uniform allows them to immediately identify team members in sometimes chaotic and crowded environments. Culinary uniforms are distinctly different from house-keeping staff uniforms, and this ability to distinguish various divisions and personnel can help keep things running in a more organized fashion.

On a simpler level a fresh, clean and attractive uniform allows employees to feel good about themselves and their team members. this has direct influence on their self-worth and thus their ability and motivation to perform above and beyond the baseline of their job description.

Uniforms are also a great leveler. They are a visual statement that each employee is highly valued and that there is a respect of the idea of equality within the organization.

The second reason that uniforms are so important is outward-facing. The brand identity of the resort or hotel is an essential part of its value proposition and an asset that must be protected and nurtured at all costs. The uniforms provide a highly visible way for the organization to promote the ethos of the brand.

For this reason, uniforms are available in a number of formats and appearances. A uniform used in a hotel or a resort can be casual, or even playful, while those in more staid environments are a visual representation of exceptional levels of service or even a visual clue as to the history of the resort or hotel.

On a more practical level, a uniform helps guests to identify staff who might make their stay more pleasant. in this case uniforms are essential to promote happy guests and return business.

In short, a well-designed uniform which is appropriate to the environment is an absolutely invaluable addition to the brand of the hotel or resort. Without attention to detail as far as uniforms are concerned, a brand and the performance of the organization can suffer irreparable harm.

However, it is absolutely essential that the uniform is not treated as an afterthought or a ‘nice to have.’ Uniforms need to be maintained and be fresh and clean. In addition, uniforms do need periodic updating – just as brand identities do. An old, faded or dated uniform is one that is not contributing to an air of professionalism. In fact, it may very well be doing the opposite.

Uniforms are part and parcel of the hospitality experience and budget must be set aside to keep them looking good. The result is a happier staff and happier guests.

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What Are Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Responsibilities And Job Description?

As the name suggests, the Chief Financial Officer is responsible for the financial matters of a corporation or business enterprise. In essence, they handle anything and everything regarding the financial matters of their company. As such, they are responsible for the financial security and health of the company. Their responsibilities and the job description are usually the same as those of a financial director (FD), a title usually used in the United Kingdom and many other commonwealth nations.

Smiling female CFO doing calculations at desk in officeIn most cases, the CFO answers to the Chief Executive Officer and the board of the company. Additionally, he or she may be answerable to the Chief Operating Officer, especially with regards to implementing the company’s growth plans. Although the specific responsibility of a CFO may differ from one company to another, their general job description is similar. So what are CFO responsibilities?

#1. Economic Forecasting and Strategy Development Responsibilities – The CFO is usually charged with the responsibility of developing strategies that the company will follow. In the same light, he or she is responsible for forecasting various aspects of the business. The combination of these responsibilities is aimed at ensuring the company performs optimally, not only in current times but also into the future.

As such, he or she has to analyze the performance of various business models, with the intention of iterating to always accrue the highest amount of benefits not only now but also in the future.

#2. Department Supervision/Controllership Responsibilities – The CFO is also charged with the responsibility of controlling various department in the company. To this end, CFOs usually head the Finance and Accounting departments of their companies. Additionally, they may also play supervising roles for various departments such as Human Resources and the IT departments.

With regards to the Accounting and finance departments, CFOs are responsible for the development of the accounting policies and procedures and assigning responsibility to the various departmental players. CFOs are also the custodian of the financial records. They are responsible for performance reporting and availing such reports in a timely manner.

#3. Treasury Duties – Another responsibility of a CFO is the financial health of the company, which can be dubbed as the treasury duties of the company. Treasury duties include the assessment of risks and its mitigation, cash flow, the company’s capital structure, and any issue surrounding the debt and equity structure of his or her company.

As you can appreciate, CFOs do play a huge role in the running of the company. Thus they play a role in decision-making at the executive level, while at the same time ensuring the company maintains the best business practices that also conform to the existing regulations.

Ideal Qualification Of CFO

For a CFO to effectively perform the aforementioned duties with immense efficiency, he or she must have the requisites qualifications (and experience). These include Masters of Business Administration, a background in accounting (such as being a Certified Public Accounting), or equivalent business experience with (10 years of experience).

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What is a House Cleaner? – Job Duties and Description

A house cleaner is someone who helps others with various household chores they either can’t or don’t want to take care of. While this isn’t the easiest job ever, it isn’t rocket science, either. Someone with good organization skills and with a sharp attention to detail can do an excellent job regardless of their specific duties. Additionally, a housekeeper should be in good health, in order to be able to lift heavy items. Since cleaning involves dealing with a lot of dust and dirt, it’s strongly advisable that it’s performed only by people who don’t suffer from any allergies.

house cleaner holding a bucket of cleaning suppliesIt goes without saying that honesty and punctuality should be among the main character traits of these individuals. Cleaning other people’s homes implies getting in contact with valuable items, jewelry and perhaps money, so concerns about security are top among those considered by employers. Companies that offer house cleaner jobs typically have a very good system of checking the background and the history of all candidates. Hiring a dishonest person may result in losses the company would need to cover. Besides, if the client decides to file a lawsuit, the cleaning services provider may have to face bankruptcy or even more severe penalties.

So, what does a cleaner do? Dusting, vacuuming and floor mopping are among the basic things house cleaners have to do. Sometimes, they may also need to wash the window curtains and blinds, and to clean the windows and the household appliances. After major renovations, house cleaners need to do tasks that are a bit more difficult such as cleaning all debris and paint from floors and windows, as well as removing various stains from upholstery or furniture items.

Efficiency is another trait of good house cleaners. When you have to clean a large villa with several floors and many rooms, you can’t afford to rest every ten minutes or so. You need to be able to deliver performance at high speed, as this is the only way you can finish all your assigned chores within your work time. If you are too slow, you’re going to be less productive than others, so clients won’t be too happy with your services. Since people usually pay to have certain tasks done, none of them would be willing to pay you extra only because you’re slower than others.

In conclusion, anyone who is honest, reliable and hardworking, with good attention to detail and with high productivity can make an excellent house cleaner. Whether you are going to like this kind of job or not may be something you’re going to be able to tell only after you try it. However, there are people who have chosen this career and have done it since decades ago, without getting bored or feeling that they do something that doesn’t require special skills or qualifications. It has a good job outlook and it’s a job for people who like work.

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Autographic Insight | Reporting Tools

As any business owner knows, information is incredibly important, yet also incredibly difficult to keep track of. While modern technology has made it easier to store information, it has also required businesses to keep and track even more information, creating a complicated situation that leaves most business owners and managers struggling to keep up with the near constant influx of data, from online marketing data to revenue streams.

There are programs available to deal with managing databases, such as Excel, yet, these programs take a one size fits all approach that doesn’t cater to any one business. Luckily, there are advancements in database programming available. Enter Autographic Insight, a state of the art database program miles ahead of the one size fits all style of databases.

Autographic Insight reporting tools as much a service as a program; businesses sign up with the company to access the software. However, every business is unique, and Autographic Insight knows this. To that end, Autographic Insight allows businesses to customize nearly every aspect of the database system.

Businesses choose their data sources, the metrics they deem important (even ones unique to the company or its clients, as Autographic Insight can replicate any process) and their branding. Reports are built around the needs of the business and its clients. The program also allows them to set up alert systems to immediately be notified of specific changes in the data as soon as they happen.

Autographic Insight can save any business time and money. Program functions allow clients who use the program to save up to 35 hours per week by allowing them to customize what data gets reported to them. The program is highly intuitive and requires no specialized training, unlike most other database programs. The system also allows for commentary and works to help your business and its clients be better engaged in the processes of the business and better informed about where the business is going.

Autographic Insight takes a business’ data and boils it down into a set of customizable visuals that update daily, freeing businesses from ever manually compiling reports while they use the software. The information on the system is also compatible with other programs, and the information Autographic Insight compiles can be exported to Excel, PDF and PNG formats. The system also allows for unlimited users and tiers of users, and, along with secure cloud storage systems, all data is safe with Autographic Insight.

To inquire about a position with Autographic Insight, you may contact them directly at info@autographicinsight.com.

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