How to Teach Your Dog to Speak

Your dog won’t be reciting Shakespeare anytime soon, but teaching a dog to bark on command is actually one of the easiest tricks to teach. Barking is a natural behavior for a dog, so they should pick up on this one in no time. Teaching a dog to “speak” is a fun little trick, but it’s also useful if you want to show your dog when it’s appropriate to make noise, or get your dog to bark when they want something. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about teaching your pup to talk on command.

[Edit]Things You Should Know

• Begin training with high value treats or a clicker handy.
• Make use of situations in which you already know your dog will bark. Reward them with a treat or the clicker immediately after they make a noise.
• Introduce the 'Speak' command once your dog associates barking with a reward.
• Reinforce training over time to tie together the word and the behavior. Make use of short, repeated training sessions to prevent fatigue.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Hold a high-value treat.

1. Grab some training treats that your dog enjoys. If you have a normal, prepackaged treats that your dog enjoys, use those. You can also use their normal kibble if they’re a hungry little puppy and you’ve been wary of using unhealthy treats yet. Whatever it is, pick something your dog really loves; the better the reward, the easier it will be to teach your dog.^[1]
   
   • If your dog loves to play, you can try using their favorite toy and playing with them when they bark. Most people, however, will find that treats are the most effective way to teach a dog.
   • Try to avoid using processed human food as treats. A little organic turkey meat or carrot is fine every now and then, but relying entirely on human food can mess with their diet and reinforce their love of human grub.
   • As you practice over time, mix it up every now and then. Use a variety of treats to keep your dog from getting bored by the same reward.

[Edit]Grab your clicker if you're clicker training.

1. If you are clicker training, use the clicker instead of a treat. Clicker training is entirely optional, but if you’ve been using a clicker to train your dog, use it here. Instead of the treat, use the sound of the clicker to reward your dog. If you’re still in the early stages of clicker training where you’re using treats and the clicker, continue to use both as your reward.^[2]
   
   • Clicker training is just as efficient as non-clicker training—it’s just a matter of personal preference.^[3]
   • If you’re new to clicker training, stick with it and start by using the clicker and the treat. Your dog will slowly start to associate the clicker sound with the treat and they’ll eventually mean the same thing to your pup.

[Edit]Get your dog’s attention.

1. Show them the treat and bring them to you. Your dog needs to see the treat and be intrigued by it. Once they come over and realize you’ve got a treat, hold the treat away from them and give them a second to relax in front of the reward.^[4]
   
   • If your dog isn’t interested enough by the treat that they wander off after a few seconds of you not giving them a treat, your reward isn’t high-value enough.
   • If you’re building on other skills, get them into a “sit” position for this so that you reinforce two behaviors at once.

[Edit]Wait for them to bark.

1. Tantalize them with the treat until they finally make some noise. Keep the treat visible and easy to see. Your dog may be confused for a minute, or whimper a little. They may even try to sit, lie down, or roll over to get the treat. Just hold out and keep the treat visible until they bark.^[5]
   
   • Don’t tease or mess with your dog; just hold the treat up. If you induce an anxiety-related bark and then reward your dog, you may accidentally reinforce the idea that barking when they’re scared is a good thing.
   • If your dog doesn’t bark at all here, you have two options. One is to simply put the treat away (at least for a minute) and try again once your dog stops paying attention. The other option is to do something that makes your dog bark (ring the doorbell, make an abrupt noise).

[Edit]Reward your dog with the treat.

1. As soon as your dog barks, give them the treat and praise them. After one bark, give them the reward, pet them repeatedly, and say, “Good dog!” or, “That’s so good!” Really make a show of it to get your dog excited about what they’ve just done.^[6]
   
   • If you wait too long to give them the treat, they may not immediately associate the bark with the treat.
   • If you’re clicker training, press the clicker as soon as they bark. If you’re still using edible treats, give the treat and press the clicker at the same time.

[Edit]Continue reinforcing the behavior.

1. Practice in short bursts and keep giving your pup love for barking. You don’t need to engage in giant training sessions to reinforce this one. Barking is a natural behavior for a dog, so little 5- to 10- minute training lessons are just fine.^[7] Show the treat, wait for your pup to bark, and then give them the treat as the reward.
   
   • If you had to make a noise or do something to get them to bark, slowly transition to simply showing the treat without the other stimulus.
   • If you’re working on other commands and tricks at the same time as you’re teaching “speak,” go ahead and start incorporating “speak” once your dog understands that you want them to bark when you just show them the treat.

[Edit]Introduce the command word.

1. Use “speak” or “talk” to start tying the behavior to the command. Now that your dog knows barking will get them treats, name the behavior. Say "speak" or "talk" just before they bark. You might also consider adding a hand signal (like pointing up, or making a fist), since dogs can learn visual cues just as easily as sound-based cues. Practice several times saying "speak" or "talk" just before your dog barks.^[8]
   

[Edit]Reinforce the command word with practice.

1. Keep using the treat and the command word to train your pup. Now that your dog is starting to associate a word with barking, say "speak" or "talk" and wait for her to bark. Be sure to say the command only once to avoid changing the command. When your dog barks, offer the reward. Do this over and over again until your dog seems to be catching on.^[9]
   
   • You never want to repeat the command because it can trick your dog into thinking the command word is “speak speak speak” instead of just “speak,” for example. If your dog doesn’t get it the first time, pause, look away, lower the treat, and try again in a few minutes.

[Edit]Fade the treat out over time.

1. Swap the treat out for the command word as they master the move. Whenever your dog fluidly interprets “speak” to mean “now is the time to bark,” you know it’s time to remove the treat. Continue to verbally praise your dog, but remove the food-based treat. As your dog gets better at the maneuver, you can fade the praise out, too.^[10]
   
   • If you’re clicker training, now is the time to slowly stop using the clicker.

[Edit]Practice in increasingly more distracting environments.

1. This will reinforce the command so your dog really internalizes it. Take your dog to the front porch or sidewalk and practice “speak” out there where there are birds and other ambient noises. Once they master the move out front, take them to the park where they’ll be tempted to run around. Then, you can practice the move in front of other dogs or toys. Once your dog knows “speak” everywhere, they’ve 100% mastered the command!^[11]
   
   • Now, you can start teaching your dog to bark at specific threats or whenever they want to go outside. Use the “speak” command whenever a stranger approaches, or whenever you’re about to let them out to use the bathroom to teach them how to let you know they need to go.

[Edit]Move on to other commands, like “quiet.”

1. Once your pup masters “speak,” you can move on to something else. Return to “speak” periodically to ensure that your dog doesn’t forget about it. Now is the perfect time to teach the “quiet” command! This works basically in reverse—present a stimulus that’ll make your dog bark and then wait for them to be quiet. Then, reward them!
   

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Avoid teaching your dog new commands or tricks if you’re in a hurry. Giving them your undivided attention can help them stay focused.^[12]
• Teach “speak” after you teach other commands like “sit” or “lay down.” If you teach “speak” first, your dog may start barking up a storm every time you try to teach them to a new trick.

[Edit]Warnings

• If you’ve already got a dog who is prone to barking, teaching them “speak” before you’ve got the problematic barking under control is potentially a bad idea. Your dog may start barking expecting you to give them a reward.^[13]

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Walk a Dog
• Teach Your Dog to Drop It
• Teach Your Dog to Sit
• Teach Your Dog Tricks

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/positive-reinforcement-training
2. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/clicker-training-your-dog-mark-and-reward/
3. ↑ https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/about.illinoisstate.edu/dist/6/45/files/2019/10/Chiandetti-Avella-Fongero-Cerri-2016-Can-Clicker-training-facilitate-cond-in-dogs.pdf
4. ↑ https://www.petmd.com/dog/training/evr_dg_how-to-make-a-dog-bark
5. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/train-your-dog-to-speak/
6. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/train-your-dog-to-speak/
7. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/teach-your-puppy-these-5-basic-commands/
8. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/train-your-dog-to-speak/
9. ↑ https://www.petmd.com/dog/training/evr_dg_how-to-make-a-dog-bark
10. ↑ https://www.petmd.com/dog/training/evr_dg_how-to-make-a-dog-bark
11. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/reliable-recall-train-dogs-to-come-when-called/
12. ↑ [v161987_b01]. 5 October 2021.
13. ↑ https://www.thrivingcanine.com/should_i_teach_speak_to_eliminate_dog_barking_problems

source How to of the Day https://ift.tt/0dplqcB

How to Maintain a Work Life Balance

Want a fulfilling career and a happy and healthy family life? If you want both, you need to find a balance. This means getting your priorities in order, making strategic decisions ahead of time, and making efficient use of your time.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Having the Proper Mindset

1. Decide what is important to you. Both work and family are important, so you’ll need to make conscious choices as to how you balance your time and commitments. Make a list of your work and family goals, and prioritize the ones that feel most critical and meaningful to you.
   
   • For example, maybe you’ve always been passionate about becoming a successful engineer, and also feel like you might want to have kids someday. If reaching a certain point in your career feels more critical to you right now than starting a family, consider waiting until you’ve settled into a job you love before having kids.
2. Develop work goals. You don’t want to feel smothered by a dead-end job, do you? Think of realistic goals for yourself to achieve at work. When you succeed at work, the rewards will spill over into your family life. Work goals range from short-term to long-term.^[1]
   
   • For example, a short-term goal might be something like completing a work project within a particular timeframe, or making a small change to your office environment.
   • Having a long-term goal or several will help motivate you to make the most of your time at work. Think about where you’d like to be in 5 years. If your answer is “Not in this job,” then you probably need to start thinking of strategies to help realize your long-term career goals.
3. Have goals for life, too. If you have goals at home too, they can positively affect your work life. Strive for personal growth. Learn something new, whether or not it relates to your job. When you learn, your brain constantly applies new knowledge to old tasks. Most likely, you’ll begin to think of better ways of doing your job, too.^[2]
   
   • Think about long-term personal goals. Do you want to have children, get married, or move to a new area? Consider what is important to you at home and then make career decisions that will help you get there.
   • It’s also important to set short-term personal goals for yourself. This could be something as simple as planning to take your kids to a movie over the weekend, or something more involved, like planning a spring cleaning week with your family.

[Edit]Planning Carefully

1. Choose a line of work that will help you achieve your goals. If the work that you do is what you love, it will be much easier for you to find a good work-life balance. Pick a profession that fits well with your interests and gives you a sense of fulfillment.
   
   • Every job comes with its set of difficulties and deadlines. If you are satisfied with what you’ve accomplished and proud of a job well done, you’ll be able to focus all of your energy on work while you are there.
   • You may need to switch jobs. If your job is too demanding, not helping you meet your career goals, or paying too little to be worth your time, it may be time for a change.^[3]
2. Think about work-life balance when planning your family. Just as you should consider how your job or career affects your family, you should also think about how your family affects your ability to meet your career goals.
   
   • Ask questions about who should work in your family. For example, if you’re married, should you and your spouse both work? What effect, both financial and personal, will this have? How many children can we take care of, while both of you are working? Are there any other family members that you can rely on to shoulder the load?
3. Assess how your job affects your other commitments. Sometimes, finding a work-life balance means more than just balancing family time with work. Consider some of the following questions:
   
   • Does your job give you enough time to do other things that you are passionate about, like volunteering or taking classes?
   • What about hobbies? Does your current job allow you to do things that make you happy outside of work?
   • How far is your commute? If you choose to live further away from work, then you’ll spend that much more time every day commuting in between. Then there are the costs of maintaining a car. Consider finding a place to live that is closer to work.^[4]

[Edit]Making the Most of Your Time

1. Get organized. Use to-do lists at work and at home. Sometimes, it can be difficult to juggle all the tasks you need to finish. Create lists in order of importance. Get the most difficult or most important tasks done early in the morning, so you’ll have progressively easier tasks throughout the day.
   
   • Don’t erase completed tasks on your to-do list. Some people scratch out or completely erase finished tasks. Many psychologists agree that you should also have a list of things you’ve completed. Doing so reminds you that you’ve been productive.
2. Keep a work diary. At the end of each day at work, write down what you need to do the next day and thoughts you have about accomplishing those goals efficiently. This way, you’ll know you can resume work easily the next morning. You’ll also feel better about leaving tasks unaccomplished.
   
3. Draw a line between professional and personal life. This is a very important rule that we tend to overlook or break. Sometimes, your boss or even your family may hinder your ability to strictly demarcate work time and home time. Sometimes, you will face deadlines that force you to work at home.
   
   • Communicate your work-life boundaries clearly with your supervisors and coworkers. For example, you might let them know that you will not answer work related messages after 6 PM, and will respond to any calls or emails the next working day.
   • Likewise, let your family know when you are working and establish ground rules. For example, if you work at home, ask your family members not to disturb you during a certain period of time every day, or designate a special work space where you won’t be interrupted.^[5]
   • If you must take work home with you, limit your at-home work to specific hours of the day or to particular days.^[6]
4. Prioritize your family when you’re at home. Don’t go home and immediately start working. The first thing you should do when you get home is tend to your family. Ask your significant other about their day. If you have children, sit down with them, play with them, and help them with their homework. Only after you’ve filled the needs of your family should your mind turn back to work.
   
5. Get your email habits in check. Email is a double edge sword. It speeds up communication around a company, but the amount of time you spend checking it might cripple your productivity. Consider only checking your email during designated time periods. Check it once in the morning, once after lunch, and once before you leave for the day. This will allow you to answer critical emails and reply in a timely manner. ^[7]
   

[Edit]Taking Care of Yourself

1. Rely on your friends and family. You don’t have to shoulder the burden of work and life by yourself. Talk to your family members. Tell them when you are stressed or when you have a problem at work. They probably won’t mind listening to your issues, and you’ll feel better afterwards. Everyone needs support networks.
   
   • If you feel overwhelmed with responsibilities and obligations, your family or friends may be able to help take on some of the burden. For example, you might ask your parents to watch the kids some evenings so you can have time with just your spouse.
2. Take time for yourself. It can be exhausting having to play the role of employee and family member. You need to decompress. Play golf, go shopping, or see a movie. Blow off some steam before it builds up and you explode. Take some time where all you have to worry about is yourself. This is key. Have some “me” time.
   
3. Nurture your relationships with family. Whenever you can, set aside a little time to spend with the people who are most important to you. For example, if you are married, you might make it a goal to have a date night with your spouse once a week.
   
   • Try to spend time with family members individually and as a group. For example, if you have kids, do things together as a family, but also try to spend one-on-one time with each child.
4. Get enough sleep. Prioritize it. You may be up against deadlines or have dozens of time-sensitive tasks to complete. Without sleep, your brain won’t be able to function on a level needed to take care of all of those problems. Get a solid 7-9 hours of sleep a night, every night.^[8]
   
5. Eat healthy. It is tempting to grab fast food while you rush from the office to your home. Take time to eat healthy. Healthy nutrition translates to more energy, which you’ll need to maintain a balance.
   
6. Exercise. Working out, walking, going for a jog, or swimming at a pool can be great on a number of levels. You get some time to yourself. While you are working out, your brain will continue to examine problems from work or at home. Eventually, you’ll discover answers. The most obvious result is that you’ll feel better about yourself and feel better too. Those “gains” will make balancing work and life easier.^[9]
   

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Balance Work and Going to the Gym
• Balance Homework and Chores
• Balance School and Work as an Adult

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ http://www.career-success-for-newbies.com/goal-setting-in-the-workplace.html
2. ↑ http://www.mindtools.com/page6.html
3. ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/louisefron/2014/11/14/three-steps-for-finding-your-perfect-job-career-and-life/
4. ↑ http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/10/06/the-true-cost-of-commuting/
5. ↑ http://www.workflexibility.org/separate-work-life-when-you-work-at-home/
6. ↑ http://www.careerealism.com/healthy-work-life-balance-tips/
7. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/martin-bjergegaard/work-life-balance_b_4815493.html?
8. ↑ http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/work-life-balance
9. ↑ http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/work-life-balance

source How to of the Day https://ift.tt/61b2xmr

How to Identify Poisonous Mushrooms

Learning how to identify poisonous mushrooms is the most important part of foraging for edible mushrooms. Amanita is a very common genus of mushroom, and some of the most toxic types of mushrooms belong in this group. Check the visual characteristics of the mushrooms and the spore print. There are also many edible species that have toxic look-alikes. Learn how to identify poisonous mushrooms effectively with a field guide and by joining a local mycological group.

[Edit]Things You Should Know

• Look out for dangerous Amanita mushrooms, which can be identified by their white gills and dry, umbrella caps.^[1]
• Toxic Galerina, jack o'lantern, shaggy parasols, and false morel mushrooms have lookalikes. Learn to distinguish them to stay safe.
• Studying up in field guides and with mycological groups can help you become an expert at identifying poisonous mushrooms.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Defining Characteristics of Amanita Mushrooms

1. Look at the color of the mushroom. The majority of Amanita mushrooms fall into the color range of red, orange, yellow, white, or grey. Some Amanita mushrooms also stain red if they are broken or bruised.
   
   • While many mushrooms that fall within this color range are Amanita mushrooms, you cannot identify an Amanita mushroom based on color alone. Also, check the other characteristics such as cap shape and the presence of scales or warts to help you with the classification.
2. Check for a cap that is shaped like an umbrella. Amanita mushrooms have a cap that looks like a very wide, upside down letter “U”. This cap shape can also be described as a parasol.^[2]
   
3. See if the cap is dry, or if it looks slimy. All Amanita mushrooms have dry caps, which means that they don’t have a slimy or wet appearance like many other varieties. Feel the cap, and see if it feels dry to touch or if it feels wet or sticky.
   
   • If it has been raining recently and you are unsure about whether the cap is actually slimy, or if it just precipitation, then set the mushroom aside for a day or two, and see if it dries.
4. Look for scales or warts on the mushroom cap. Many Amanita mushrooms have off-colored patches on the cap, which make the mushroom stand out. These could be slightly brown scales on white mushrooms, or white warts on red mushrooms.^[3]
   
   • Warts tend to look like rows of tiny, raised dots.
   • Patches on a mushroom are the remaining parts of the universal veil that surrounded it when it was young.
5. Dig up the mushroom to look for a bulbous cup around the base. Use a pocket knife to gently remove the mushroom from the ground. The base at the bottom of the stem will be a very rounded, cup shape.^[4]
   
   • Not all mushrooms have a bulbous base, which makes this indicator a good way to distinguish Amanita mushrooms.
   • This part of the mushroom is also part of the universal veil from when it was young.
   • When you are digging the mushroom out, cut deeply around the base to avoid cutting into the base itself. This is because the bulbous cup is usually very delicate and can be easily torn.
6. Look for a ring just below the mushroom cap. Many Amanita mushrooms have a distinct ring around the stem. It is the same color as the stem, and it may not always be possible to spot.^[5][6]
   
   • You will have to either look at the mushroom from the ground-up or dig the mushroom out of the ground to see the ring.
   • The ring is called the annulus or the partial veil, and it is the part of the stem that tore away as the mushroom grew taller.
7. Check for white gills beneath the mushroom cup. Turn the mushroom upside down, and check the color of the gills. Amanita mushrooms usually have white or very pale gills, which is an easy way to distinguish them as poisonous from other mushrooms.^[7]
   
8. Take a spore print of the mushroom and check that the print is white. Cut the stem away from the mushroom cap using a pocket knife. Gently push down on the cap to press the gills onto a dark piece of paper. Wait overnight, and check that the spores on the paper are white.^[8]
   
   • There are a few Amanita mushrooms that don’t have white or pale gills, however, these types will also produce a white spore print. This can help you to feel more certain in your identification.

[Edit]Identifying Look-Alike Mushrooms

1. Distinguish true from false morels by looking at the cap shape and interior. True morels have a cap that is fully attached to the stem, whereas false morels have a cap that freely hangs from the stem. Slice the cap in half lengthwise and examine the cap interior. True morels will be completely hollow inside the cap, from the tip to the bottom of the cap which is attached to the stem. Contrastingly, false morels will have a dimpled appearance in the cap interior, which looks cotton-like and fibrous.^[9]
   
   • Furthermore, the cap of a true morel is usually uniform and longer than the stem, whereas the cap of a false morel is often irregular, looks squashed, and is shorter than the stem.
2. Take a spore print to identify green-spored parasols from shaggy parasols. Both of these mushroom species look similar to the white button mushrooms that are found in supermarkets. The green-spored parasol is toxic and can have serious consequences if it's consumed, whereas the shaggy parasol is edible. The spore print of a green-spored parasol mushroom will be either green or grey, whereas a shaggy parasol will produce a cream spore print.^[10]
   
   • In North America, the green-spored parasol is the most commonly consumed toxic species of mushroom. It usually grows during summer and fall, particularly after heavy rains.^[11]
3. Check the gills to distinguish chanterelles from Jack o'lanterns. Chanterelle mushrooms have false gills which means that they cannot be separated from the cap without the gills breaking. Contrastingly, Jack o'lantern mushrooms have true gills, and these are forked, knife-like, and can be removed without damaging the cap.^[12]
   
   • Chanterelle gills also look as though they have melted.
   • The distribution of the mushrooms can also indicate the species. Chanterelles only grow near trees and don't grow in large groups. Jack o'lanterns grow in dense clusters and can grow where there are no trees, such as in the middle of a field.
   • Chanterelle mushrooms are safe to consume, while Jack o'lantern mushrooms are very toxic.^[13]
4. Identify honey mushrooms from deadly Galerina with a spore print. The safe, edible honey mushrooms produce a white spore print, while deadly Galerina mushrooms give a spore print that's rusty brown. Honey mushrooms also tend to have a larger veil than Galerina mushrooms.^[14]
   
   • These mushroom species look very alike and often grow in similar locations, such as along the same tree stump. It's easy to be foraging for honey mushrooms and to accidentally add deadly Galerina into your basket, which is why it's important to check every mushroom individually.^[15]

[Edit]Educating Yourself About Mushrooms

1. Join a mycological group to learn how to identify different types. Use a search engine to find a mycological group that is local to you. Attend meetings and go foraging with experts to learn how to identify edible mushrooms from the poisonous types in your area. It's always best to consult an expert before consuming any wild mushrooms.^[16][17]
   
   • A local group is often the best way to educate yourself about mushrooms because they will be experts on the mushrooms found in your area. Mushrooms differ significantly across regions, so knowing what is safe where you go foraging is invaluable knowledge.^[18]
2. Purchase a local field guide to learn about the mushrooms in your area. Field guides can be obtained from local bookstores or online. Choose one that is as specific to your area as possible, as this will be representative of the mushroom varieties that you will see when you are foraging.^[19]
   
   • Your local library is another place to look for mushroom reference guides.
   • If you have joined a mycological group, they will probably be able to recommend the best field guide for your region.
3. Separate the mushrooms that you find into 2 groups. Have 1 group for positively identified mushrooms only and the other group for mushrooms that you are uncertain about. Bring 2 baskets with you while you are foraging for wild mushrooms, and place the mushrooms that you are certain that are edible in one, and mushrooms that you are unsure about in the other. Take the mushrooms that you are unsure about to an expert to get them identified.^[20][21]
   
   • You can’t get sick just from touching a toxic mushroom. It needs to be cooked or consumed first.
   • Some mushroom types are very delicate and can easily break into pieces. This means that separating the safe, edible mushrooms from those that you are unsure about is especially important, as you don’t want small pieces of poisonous mushrooms mixed in with the edible group.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Due to the massive number of mushroom species, there are no truly clear-cut rules about identifying poisonous mushrooms from edible ones. Following a few strict guidelines about the characteristics to look for to identify the Amanita genus is by no means an exhaustive list of all of the poisonous types, and similarly, some safe, edible types will fall within these guidelines too.^[22]

[Edit]Warnings

• Look-alike mushrooms are common. This occurs when poisonous varieties resemble the safe, edible types. This is also why having the correct identification is of the utmost importance.
• Never consume a wild mushroom unless a mycologist (mushroom identification expert) has said that the mushroom is edible. Consuming wild mushrooms without having the correct identification for them is dangerous and can have deadly consequences.
• Seek emergency medical attention if you have consumed an unidentified wild mushroom, or you have symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing after eating wild mushrooms.^[23]
• Many types of mushrooms differ in appearance based on the climate and environment where they grow. Therefore, having the correct identification for a mushroom in one location does not mean that you will be able to correctly identify the same mushroom in a different location.^[24]

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/amanitas
2. ↑ https://www.mushroom-appreciation.com/identify-poisonous-mushrooms.html
3. ↑ https://www.mushroom-appreciation.com/identify-poisonous-mushrooms.html
4. ↑ https://www.mushroomexpert.com/amanita.html
5. ↑ [v161849_b01]. 25 June 2021.
6. ↑ https://www.mushroomexpert.com/amanita.html
7. ↑ https://www.mushroomexpert.com/amanita.html
8. ↑ https://www.mushroomexpert.com/amanita.html
9. ↑ https://www.mushroom-appreciation.com/morel-mushroom.html
10. ↑ https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/chlorophyllum-rhacodes.php
11. ↑ https://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farming-gardening/stories/wild-mushrooms-what-to-eat-what-to-avoid
12. ↑ https://www.mushroom-appreciation.com/chanterelle-mushrooms.html
13. ↑ http://www.thesurvivalgardener.com/identify-chanterelle-mushrooms/
14. ↑ https://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/may2003.html
15. ↑ http://ffsc.us/mom/2013/galerina
16. ↑ [v161849_b01]. 25 June 2021.
17. ↑ https://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farming-gardening/stories/wild-mushrooms-what-to-eat-what-to-avoid
18. ↑ https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-3303
19. ↑ https://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farming-gardening/stories/wild-mushrooms-what-to-eat-what-to-avoid
20. ↑ [v161849_b01]. 25 June 2021.
21. ↑ https://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farming-gardening/stories/wild-mushrooms-what-to-eat-what-to-avoid
22. ↑ https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-3303
23. ↑ https://www.poison.org/articles/2009-jun/wild-mushroom-warning
24. ↑ https://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farming-gardening/stories/wild-mushrooms-what-to-eat-what-to-avoid

source How to of the Day https://ift.tt/Ugv9T5L

How to Drive Manual

The basic concepts of starting and shifting through the gears is a manageable process for just about anyone. To drive a manual, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the clutch, become comfortable with the gearstick, and practice starting, stopping, and shifting gears at various driving speeds.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Learning the Basics

1. Learn what each significant part of a manual car will do.
   
   • The shifter - The shifter is located directly above the transmission, typically in the center of the vehicle, between the driver and the passenger seat. You will operate the shifter with your hand to change and select the desired gear in the transmission. You will use the shifter to select Reverse, Neutral, 1st gear, 2nd gear, 3rd gear, and so on
   • The clutch pedal - The clutch pedal is located directly to the left of the brake pedal. To be operated with your left foot. The clutch pedal operates the clutch mechanism which connects the vehicle’s engine to its transmission. If the clutch pedal is in the up position (toward the driver) then the transmission is connected to the engine and the vehicle will be propelled by the engine if placed in a forward or reverse gear. If the clutch pedal is in the down position (toward the floorboard) then the engine and the transmission will not be connected and the vehicle will not receive power from the engine.
   • The parking brake/handbrake - The parking brake is typically operated by hand and located in the center console, though sometimes may be located near the floor to be operated by the foot. The parking brake is NOT to be confused with the brake pedal. The parking brake is what keeps the vehicle from rolling while placed in neutral if the brake pedal is not depressed. The parking brake is what will be used to keep the vehicle stationary while the ignition is off and the vehicle is parked.
2. Start on level ground with the car off, the transmission is in neutral, and the parking brake engaged. Especially if this is your first time driving a car with a manual transmission, start slowly and methodically. Put your seat belt on once you sit down. While learning, it can be useful to roll down the windows. This helps you hear the sound of the engine revving and to shift gears accordingly.^[1]
   
   • The pedal on the left is the clutch, the middle one is the brake, and the accelerator is on the right (remember it, from left to right, as C-B-A). This layout is the same for both left-hand drive and right-hand drive vehicles.
3. Learn what the clutch does. Before you start pushing down on this unfamiliar pedal on the left, take a moment to figure out the basics of its function.^[2]
   
   • The clutch disengages the engine from the transmission. When one or both are spinning, the clutch allows you to switch gears without grinding the teeth of each separate gear.
   • Before you change gears (either to move up or down), the clutch must be depressed (pushed).
4. Adjust the seat position so you can access the clutch pedal’s full range of motion. Slide forward enough to allow you to press the clutch pedal (the left pedal, next to the brake pedal) fully to the floor with your left foot.^[3]
   
5. Press the clutch pedal and hold it to the floor. This would also be a good time to take note of how the travel of the clutch pedal differs from that of the brake and gas. It’s also a good opportunity to get used to slowly and steadily releasing the clutch pedal.^[4]
   
   • If you’ve only ever driven automatic cars, it might feel awkward to use your left foot to push a pedal. With practice, you’ll get used to using both feet in concert.
6. Move the gearstick into neutral. This is the middle position that feels free when moved from side to side. The vehicle is considered out of gear when:^[5]
   
   • The gearstick is in the neutral position, and/or
   • The clutch pedal is fully depressed.
   • Don’t try to use the gearstick without having the clutch pedal depressed, because it simply won't work.
7. Start the engine with the key in the ignition, making sure the gear stick is still in neutral. Make sure the handbrake is on before starting the car, especially if you are a novice.^[6]
   
   • Some cars will start up in neutral without the clutch depressed, but some newer cars will not.
   • Make sure the clutch is all the way down especially if you have a newer car. Newer cars tend to come with a clutch safety switch, this won’t allow you to start the car if your clutch is not pushed all the way down.
8. Remove your foot from the clutch pedal with the car still in neutral. If you’re on level ground, you should remain stationary; you’ll start rolling if you’re on a hill. If you’re ready to move on to actually driving, make sure to release the handbrake (if it’s engaged) before you drive off.^[7]
   

[Edit]Moving Forward in First Gear

1. Press the clutch to the floor and move the gearstick into first gear. It should be the upper-left position, and there should be some kind of visual layout of the gear pattern on top of the gearstick.^[8]
   
   • Gear patterns can vary, so take some time beforehand to study your car’s gear layout. You may want to practice shifting through the various gears with the engine switched off (and the clutch engaged).
2. Slowly lift your foot up from the clutch pedal. Continue until you hear the engine speed begin to drop, then push it back in. Repeat this several times until you can instantly recognize the sound. This is the friction point.^[9]
   
   • When you’re shifting gears to start or keep moving, this is the point at which you’ll want to have the accelerator depressed enough to provide power.
3. Let up on the clutch while pushing down on the accelerator. In order to get moving, first you need to release the handbrake by pushing it down (the handbrake can be tricky sometimes, so it might be easier to lift it up a little and then push it down to release the handbrake). Lift your left foot up from the clutch pedal until the RPMs drop slightly. At the same instant, apply light pressure to the accelerator with your right foot. Balance the light downward pressure on the accelerator with slowly releasing pressure on the clutch pedal. You will probably have to do this several times to find the right combination of up and down pressure.^[10]
   
   • Another way of doing it; is to release the clutch until the point the engine revs down a little, and then applying pressure on the accelerator as the clutch engages. At this point the car will start to move. It is best to have the engine rev just enough to prevent stalling as the clutch pedal is let up. This process may be a little difficult at first because you are new to the extra pedal in a manual car.
   • Release the clutch fully (that is, slowly remove your foot from the pedal) once you start moving forward under control in first gear.
4. Expect to stall at least a few times when you’re first starting out. If you release the clutch too quickly the engine will stall. If the engine sounds like it is going to stall, hold the clutch where it is or push down a bit further. If you do stall, depress the clutch fully, apply the handbrake, put the car in neutral, switch the engine off and restart the car as normal. Don’t panic.^[11]
   
   • Revving the engine while the clutch is between fully up and fully depressed will wear out the clutch parts prematurely, resulting in slippage or smoking of the clutch parts at the transmission. This is called riding the clutch and should be avoided.

[Edit]Shifting in Motion and Stopping

1. Recognize when it’s time to shift up to a higher gear. When your RPM reaches about 2500 to 3000 while the car is in motion, it is time to shift to the next gear — for example, second gear if you are currently in first. The actual RPMs at which shifting is required will vary by the car you are driving, however. Your engine will begin to race and speed up, and you must learn to recognize this noise.^[12]
   
   • Depress the clutch pedal until it disengages and guide the gearstick straight down from first gear into the bottom-left position (which is second gear in most configurations).
   • Some cars have a "Shift Light" or indications on the tachometer that will tell you when you need to shift, so you don't rev the engine too fast.
2. Push down on the accelerator very slightly and slowly release the clutch pedal. Shifting gears in motion is the same as shifting into first from a stationary position. It’s all about listening, looking, and feeling for the engine’s cues and getting the up-and-down timing of your feet on the pedals correct. Keep practicing and you’ll get the hang of it.^[13]
   
   • Once in gear and on the accelerator, you should completely remove your foot from the clutch pedal. Resting your foot on the clutch pedal is a bad habit, as it applies pressure to the clutch mechanism — and the increased pressure will cause the clutch to wear out prematurely.
3. Shift down into a lower gear as you slow down. If you are going too slow for the current gear you’re in, your car will shudder as if it’s about to stall. To shift down gears while in motion, follow the same process of depressing the clutch and releasing the accelerator, shifting gears (say, from third to second), and letting off the clutch while depressing the accelerator.^[14]
   
4. Come to a complete stop. To come to a stop in a fully controlled manner, shift down gradually until you reach first gear. When it’s time to come to a complete stop, move your right foot from the accelerator to the brake pedal and press down as much as is required. As you slow to about , the car will be on the verge of shaking and vibrating. Press the clutch pedal fully down and move the gearstick into neutral to prevent stalling the car. Use the brake pedal to stop completely.^[15]
   
   • You can also stop while in any gear by depressing the clutch fully and using the brake while shifting into neutral. This should only be done when you need to stop quickly, though, as it puts you in less control of the vehicle.

[Edit]Practicing and Troubleshooting

1. Practice on an easy course with an experienced manual driver. While you can legally practice alone on any public road with a valid driver’s license, you will pick up the nuances of driving a manual car faster if you have an experienced driver accompanying you. Start off in a flat, isolated area like a large (and empty) car park, then move on to quiet suburban streets. Drive around the same circuit repeatedly until you start to remember the various skills involved.
   
2. Avoid stopping and starting on steep hills initially. When you’re new to driving a manual, plan routes that avoid traffic lights at the top of steep hills. Your timing and coordination in working the gear stick, clutch, brake, and accelerator needs to be fairly sharp in order to avoid drifting backwards when you shift into first gear.^[16]
   
   • You need to be able to quickly (but smoothly) move your right foot from releasing the brake to depressing the accelerator, while at the same time letting out the clutch. You can use the parking brake to limit backward drifting if necessary, but always remember to disengage it as you start moving forward.
3. Learn parking procedures, especially on hills. Unlike automatics, manual transmission cars don’t have a “park” gear. But, simply putting the car in neutral opens the possibility of your car rolling freely, especially if parked on an incline or decline. Always use the handbrake, but don’t rely on it alone to keep your car in place whilst parked.^[17]
   
   • If you are parked facing uphill, shut the car off in neutral, then shift into first gear and apply the parking brake. If facing downhill, do the same but shift into reverse. This will prevent the wheels from rolling in the direction of the slope.
   • On extreme inclines, or simply to be extra cautious, you can also place chocks (angled blocks) behind your wheels to prevent movement.
4. Stop completely before changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa). Making a complete stop when changing directions is an easy way to reduce your likelihood of causing expensive damage to your gearbox.
   
   • It is strongly recommended to stop completely before going from reverse to first gear. However, it is possible on most manual transmissions to shift into first or possibly second when the car is moving backwards at a slow speed, but it is not recommended as this can cause excessive wear on the clutch.
   • In some cars, reverse gear has a lock out mechanism to prevent you for engaging it accidentally. Before using the reverse gear, make sure you know about this locking mechanism and how to disengage it before selecting reverse.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Learn to recognize the sounds of your engine; you should eventually be able to tell when to change gears without relying on the rev counter.
• If you are having difficulty starting the car from a stop, make sure that you are slowly letting off the clutch. Pause at the friction point (the part where the engine starts to move the car) and continue slowly pulling the clutch out.
• If your car seems like it is going to stall, or the engine is sputtering, then push in the clutch again, wait for the engine to return to idle, and repeat the steps to starting off.
• Practice until you can change gears without looking at the gearstick. That way you can keep your eyes on the road and focus on what is ahead of you. Initially, you feel inclined to look at the gearstick, but you will need to resist the temptations.
• If you are having trouble mastering clutch control, press down on the clutch, engage first gear (with the handbrake engaged), slowly release the clutch and apply the accelerator. You will feel the car moving a bit, then let down the handbrake and the car will move freely.
• If there is no gear positions marked on the gear stick, make sure to ask someone who is familiar with the vehicle how the gears are arranged. The last thing you want is to back into something (or someone) when you think you've shifted into first gear.
• When you want to go over a bump, you hold down your clutch and press your brake slightly to slow down and later release the clutch gradually and apply the accelerator gradually to move.
• These other descriptions mean the same thing as "manual transmission"--"stick shift", "standard", "manual " or simply, "stick".
• Cars with a manual gearbox are better for highway than urban driving because of the extra attention needed for shifting gears in a city environment. A car with an automatic gearbox is usually a better choice for the urban driver, but every driver has their own personal preference. Some like a manual because they feel more in control, and some like it because of the better fuel economy (although Continuously Variable Transmission [CVT], a type of automatic transmission, has better fuel economy than manual transmission). Others prefer automatics for their simplicity; as many motorists say all they have to do is concentrate on their road positioning, and that their knees don't get sore waiting in traffic.
• During sub-freezing temperatures, it is not advisable to leave a car for a long time with the handbrake engaged. Moisture will freeze and the handbrake might not disengage.
• Never "balance" foot pressure on both the accelerator pedal and clutch pedal at the same time in order to keep the vehicle from rolling backward when stopped on an incline. Instead, fully depress the clutch pedal and apply sufficient pressure on the brake pedal to hold the vehicle in place. Shift into 1st gear to be ready to start from a stop on an incline, as described in the steps above.
• If you are having difficulty finding the biting point of the clutch when moving off. Depress the accelerator first then slowly release the clutch to biting point. The car will move without you aiming for perfect clutch position. Add more gas when going uphill.
• Almost all automatic transmission cars have manual shifts in the form of paddles on the steering wheel or a shift stick. Turn the shifter from "D" to "S" or press one of the paddles to switch to manual transmission. Once in manual transmission you can then shift gears by pushing and pulling the shifter forward and backward, or by pressing the "+" and "-" buttons on the paddles. To switch back to automatic transmission, reengage the shifter to "D".
• Resting your foot on the clutch or brake pedal is a bad, costly habit. It results in premature wear, loss of power, and lowers fuel economy. Your foot should only be on the clutch pedal and FULLY depressed when you wish to change gears or if you need to quickly remove power from the drive wheels (ie: when in a skid on slippery surfaces such as gravel, ice, etc.). The clutch pedal should only be gradually released when starting out from a stop.
• First gear is only for starting to move the car and is not really used for anything else.
• When turning it is best to the car in second gear because the car’s speed will be too fast for first gear and not fast enough for third gear which could cause the car to stall.

[Edit]Warnings

• Keep an eye on the tachometer until you are comfortable with driving a manual. A manual transmission requires more experience than an automatic. Over rev the engine, and severe damage to the engine may result.
• When you have stalled and restarted the engine many times over, try to give the starter and battery a break of five to ten minutes. This can help to avoid overheating and damage to the starter and discharging the battery completely.
• Stop completely before shifting into reverse no matter which direction the car is rolling. Shifting into reverse while the car is in motion will damage most manual gearboxes.
• Try to watch if you are on a hill or a steep area. You can roll back and hit the person or object behind you if you are not holding in the brake and the clutch.

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://axleaddict.com/safety/Easiest-Way-to-Learn-How-to-Drive-Manual
2. ↑ http://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/driving-advice/how-to-drive-a-manual-car-a-dummys-guide/
3. ↑ http://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/driving-advice/how-to-drive-a-manual-car-a-dummys-guide/
4. ↑ http://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/driving-stick.php
5. ↑ http://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/driving-advice/how-to-drive-a-manual-car-a-dummys-guide/
6. ↑ http://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/driving-advice/how-to-drive-a-manual-car-a-dummys-guide/
7. ↑ http://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/driving-stick.php
8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsOcXG2v3EE
9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsOcXG2v3EE
10. ↑ http://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/driving-stick.php
11. ↑ http://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/driving-stick.php
12. ↑ https://axleaddict.com/safety/Easiest-Way-to-Learn-How-to-Drive-Manual
13. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsOcXG2v3EE
14. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsOcXG2v3EE
15. ↑ http://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/driving-advice/how-to-drive-a-manual-car-a-dummys-guide/
16. ↑ http://www.primermagazine.com/2014/learn/a-beginners-guide-to-driving-stick-shift-an-animated-visual-guide
17. ↑ http://www.primermagazine.com/2014/learn/a-beginners-guide-to-driving-stick-shift-an-animated-visual-guide

source How to of the Day https://ift.tt/5LrFchJ