Articles written by Karen Clymer

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About me - Karen Clymer

As a well-known dog trainer and instructor locally and statewide, I've put my writing background to work as a voice for harmony and enlightenment in all matters canine.

I recently retired from running my own mail order company, where I wrote all the advertising

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Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: Taking your dog to obedience class: 1 of 13
In 1965 I was a nerdy, nearsighted 15-year-old girl with only three friends in the world: Alana, Linda, and my dog Tuffy.Tuffy was one of those All-American ownerless mutts who could have been half cocker spaniel and half Pekingese. He had a fluffy blond coat, an undershot jaw, a tail that curled up over his back, and a hunte... More..
Home & Garden > Landscaping Home improvement: Adding a fence to your property: 1 of 11
A good fence improves neighbor relations, adds value to your home, and increases the enjoyment of your propertyBefore you begin fence construction, research these items:1. Check your zoning laws and property covenants.2. Obtain necessary permits.3. Contact utility companies to mark underground wiring and waterlines.4. Determi... More..
Pets & Animals > Dog Breeds Dog breed: Australian Shepherd: 2 of 10
There is little that is Australian about the Australian Shepherd. A few centuries ago, Basque shepherds from the Pyrenees Mountains in Spain emigrated to the sheep ranches in Australia, bringing their sheep dogs with them. When they later came to work on sheep ranches in the United States in the 1800's, they brought along des... More..
Pets & Animals > Dog Training How to choose a group dog training class: 1 of 5
You know it's time to look for a group obedience class when:* Red Rover is all over you.* Fido mouths your hand and grabs the leash when you want to take him for a walk.* Fifi runs the opposite direction when you call her.* You have a general sense that your dog is running your life, and you don't know what to do about it.Cho... More..
Business > Human Resources Occupational health and safety in the office: 1 of 5
The modern office looks innocently safe, compared to, say, working in a coal mine or on an oil rig. That comfortable, clean, air conditioned environment, though, may lurk with hidden dangers. Most office injuries fall in a few categories. Here are some common pitfalls that you can use as a checklist to see how your own office... More..
Pets & Animals > Dog Breeds Dog breed: American Cocker Spaniel: 2 of 8
The American cocker spaniel stems from a history going back to the beginnings of civilization. Models of spaniel type dogs have been found even in Egyptian tombs. Old French manuscripts contain the word "espaigneul," to describe the Spanish dog or spaniel. The French Count Gaston de Foix wrote in 1387 that his spaniels were d... More..
Pets & Animals > Dog Breeds Dog breed facts: Border Collie: 4 of 14
"Away to me," he says," and the black and white dog streaks away from his right side, casting out without a glance back at his owner. It speeds over a small rise and dips out of sight, then reappears even farther to the right. About 300 yards away from the handler, five sheep stand in a little knot, grazing without knowing th... More..
Arts & Humanities > Photography Tips for better holiday photographs: 7 of 23
It's holiday time, and everyone is counting on you to record the memories in pictures! Here are some tips to make outstanding photos: Be careful not to place your subjects in front of a window or you'll fool your exposure meter. Either move the subjects or move yourself so that the camera is reading them, not the light behin... More..
Pets & Animals > Animal Rights & Issues Should the American Kennel Club perpetuate breedism?: 1 of 3
Asking whether the AKC should perpetuate breedism is like asking whether or not you've stopped beating your wife. Any response, yes or no, implies that a person believes that the AKC does, in fact, perpetuate breedism. This is not necessarily true. There is no such word as "breedism." (My spell checker keeps red-lining it.) W... More..
Education > Education (Other) How to give a successful oral presentation: 5 of 10
There you are, with your stomach doing inversions like you're riding the California Screamin' Roller Coaster. You can't breathe. You're sure that if you stand up, your knees will crumple and you'll ooze your way across the floor. And you haven't even stood up in front of your audience yet.The biggest reason most people dislik... More..