Trusted Tips and Resources

Trusted Tips & Resources

Invisible Fence Brand of Saskatchewan Shares 3 Ways to get Your Pet Ready For Winter!

Invisible Fence® Brand systems Saskatchewan are invisible boundary systems for your yard and home! It keeps your pet out of harm's way and prevents unwanted behaviors throughout your home and yard. The systems are safe, humane, and highly recommended by Veterinarians, Behaviorists, and pet experts.

Over the last 40 years, they have helped more than two million pets and their owners lead safe and harmonious lives together, and their exclusive training program allows dogs and cats to learn their boundaries without fear, distress, or behavioral harm. Their proven P.E.T. Approach™ training method ensures the success of their products every time, with any pet, and in every household. The result? An unparalleled success rating (over 99%) and the most effective solutions in the industry! Freedom and convenience for you & your pet...and the system has a lifetime warranty. That’s an OWNERS lifetime warranty!

Invisible Fence Saskatchewan are Trusted Saskatoon Pet fencing solution experts! 


 

 

Winter-Proof your Pet: 3 Ways to Lick Seasonal Affective Disorder

By: Invisible Fence Brand on 12-23-2015

Public awareness of Seasonal Affective Disorder, SAD, in pets has grown in recent years, and with this awareness has come a lot of good information about causes and symptoms, not to mention quite a few great ideas for curing our companions’ winter blues. 


Cases of SAD in pets can range from moderate to serious, with symptoms ranging from lethargy and potty-training relapse to sudden aggressive behavior and refusal of food. The majority of solutions out there boil down to three big ones: exercise, socialization and sunlight. Hit these biggies on a regular basis for the next couple weeks, and you’ll have your old friend back in no time:
    

  1. Exercise. There are plenty of easy, pet-friendly activities that will help you beat the boredom, even on a snow day. For example, you might start with a simple round of fetch in a long hallway, progress into a stimulating session of hide and seek, then move on to a cardboard box obstacle course or a scratching-post play area. And now that you’ve got your pet panting or purring, why not round out the afternoon with a soothing session of doga
  2. Socialization. Ready for a day out? Consider taking your pet to an indoor pet park where he can interact with his peers, or enroll in a day class that you can participate in together. Lack of socialization is a key factor in SAD, so the combination of exercise and social interaction such activities offer may well justify the extra expense. Also, having your pup tag along for your kids’s after-school activities is a great way to work in some much needed social interaction for their pal.
  3. Sunlight. Pets are susceptible to SAD in the first place because they’re mammals, and all mammals respond to the sun’s seasonal retreat in the same way: they ramp up production of melatonin, the body’s sleep medicine. If your pet is staying active during the day, more melatonin is a good thing. But without ample daylight and activity to balance things out, your pet’s double dose of drowsy medicine can effectively push them into hibernation mode. Which is not a good thing. Unless your pet is a bear. 

Yes, natural light can have a miraculous effect on your pet. But between the short days, gym memberships, kids’s recitals, unpredictable weather, bad traffic and looming deadlines—sometimes a leisurely walk in the dog park can be a lot to ask. But fear not, there are some nifty solutions out there that can safely promote independence and boost your pet’s morale, even when you’re away from home. 
 
The common pet door, for example, has seen some notable transformations in recent years that make them a unique solution for busy pet parents. Offering advanced features like customizable automatic locks and integration into electronic containment systems, pet doors aren’t what they used to be. For those seeking an indoor light supplement, the phototherapy box, or lightbox, a proven boon to humans, has now been successfully adapted for the pet market as well.

So, this winter, when you find yourself caught off-guard by erratic, out-of-character moods or behaviors from your pet, remember the big three: exercise, socialization and sunlight. A little sunlight, a lap or two at the pet park, and a rousing session of the Muffin Tin Game--and you’ll have your pet’s case of SAD licked.

At Invisible Fence Brand of Saskatchewan we’re passionate about protecting pets — so you can focus on fun! So, let’s talk. And we’ll find the gentle, effective, affordable solution that’s right for you and your pet. Guaranteed.

 

Invisible Fence Brand of Saskatchewn Shares a Cat Person's Guide to Managing Hydration!

Invisible Fence® Brand systems Saskatchewan are invisible boundary systems for your yard and home! It keeps your pet out of harm's way and prevents unwanted behaviors throughout your home and yard. The systems are safe, humane, and highly recommended by Veterinarians, Behaviorists, and pet experts.

Over the last 40 years, they have helped more than two million pets and their owners lead safe and harmonious lives together, and their exclusive training program allows dogs and cats to learn their boundaries without fear, distress, or behavioral harm. Their proven P.E.T. Approach™ training method ensures the success of their products every time, with any pet, and in every household. The result? An unparalleled success rating (over 99%) and the most effective solutions in the industry! Freedom and convenience for you & your pet...and the system has a lifetime warranty. That’s an OWNERS lifetime warranty!

Invisible Fence Saskatchewan are Trusted Saskatoon Pet fencing solution experts! 

 

No lapping matter: A cat person’s guide to managing dehydration

By: Invisible Fence Brand on 08-02-2016

The drooping tongue and heavy breathing are not really signs of dehydration, but a panting dog is certainly a picture of thirst. At any rate, we tend to feel pretty confident our dogs will figure out a way to let us know when they’re ready for a drink. But cats are more of a mystery. How can you tell when they’re thirsty? 

This is the simple question we brought to the Seattle-based veterinarian and cat medicine expert, Christine Wilford, DVM--hoping she could help us solve the riddle of the cotton-mouthed cat. 

The first thing we learned is that it’s possible to be too concerned about your cat’s drinking habits. According to Dr. Wilford, a typical ten pound cat needs only about a cup of fluid per day, and your cat may already be getting most of that from his wet food: “Keep in mind that cats on dry food require more water than cats eating canned food. In fact, if canned food is wet enough, your cat may not drink at all. Having evolved from the desert, their kidneys are better at conserving hydration than ours or your dog’s.” 

Add to this camel-like retention of water the fact that cats don’t drink until they’re mildly dehydrated anyway, and you’ve got a classic picture of feline self-sufficiency: “Your cat drinks when he’s thirsty, unlike you--who may drink for flavor or to stave off dehydration. And if your cat is drinking, he's already dehydrated. But that’s normal. He drinks a little, restores body hydration, and gets on with his day of sleeping.” 

The picture we’re getting is that cats by instinct don’t avoid dehydration, they manage it. And this is precisely where you, the caregiver, can help them on a hot summer day. Not by switching to a super-sized water bowl, but by implementing a few “environmental” tweaks that will avoid dehydration creep from a combination of dry food, extended heat, and over-hot napping spots. 

A couple ideas
Switching to wet food or adding water to dry food are good ideas on a hot week. Also, cats favor cool, shaded spots in the house like tile floors or under beds. Dr. Wilford recommends that you find your cat’s favorite spots and make sure to close the shades. And if you know it’s going to be a scorcher and the AC’s out, why not invite your cat to take a load off by setting out a low-speed fan in front of a pan of ice? 

Except in cases of diabetes or kidney dysfunction--where the need for high volume replenishment can create some unique challenges--your cat’s replenishment is a passive affair.  As Dr. Wilford reminds us, cats basically shut down when it’s time to cool off:  “Unlike dogs who cool off by panting--and thus lowering their body’s temperature through the heat lost in breath moisture--cats do not pant as their primary cooling method. Nor do they typically pant after exertion. They cool by finding a cool place and stopping body activity.”  

By nature your cat is less alarmed about dehydration than you are. And the half-dozen water bowls you set up around the house is probably more for you than her. This summer, focus on creating an environment conducive to a cool and lazy afternoon, and, who knows, you might even find yourself on the receiving end of a purring nudge of thanks. 

Special thanks to Dr. Wilford.

At Invisible Fence Brand of Saskatchewan we’re passionate about protecting pets — so you can focus on fun! So, let’s talk. And we’ll find the gentle, effective, affordable solution that’s right for you and your pet. Guaranteed.


Invisible Fence Brand of Saskatchewan Shares 8 Myths About Shock Collars


Reed Security Answer the Debate of Wired Vs. Wireless Security Systems!


Reed Security believes when you become a client you will be entering into a relationship – one they want to grow and become long term...they work hard to meet all your Saskatoon Alarm & security needs from day one! They are also recipients of multiple SABEX AWARDS - these Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce awards recognize excellence in business! 

Here they answer the question - Which is better, wired or wireless security systems?


Is it safe? Will it work every time? What if I have a power outage? We have to ask the question: are wireless security systems better than wired ones?

 


Home Security:

Wireless vs. Wired

It’s Saturday morning, and you’ve just woken up. You think to yourself “I could really go for some coffee right now”, but the kitchen seems so far away…fortunately, you have a WiFi connected coffee maker, and can start the process from the warmth and comfort of your bed, simply by opening an app on your phone. Life surely couldn’t get any more convenient.

It’s not surprising that when it comes to alarm systems, residential or commercial, many clients are looking for integrated solutions; something they can access any time, anywhere, at the click of a button. However, the stakes are a little higher when it comes to security then they are with your morning coffee. Is it safe? Will it work every time? What if I have a power outage? We have to ask the question: are wireless security systems better than wired ones?

This is a great question, but one that doesn’t lend itself to a “yes or no” answer. Saying a system is “wireless” can mean a number of different things. A “wired” system may still have wireless components, and vice versa. In fact, there are three distinct aspects to an alarm system, any of which can be wired or wireless, in almost any combination. These three components are:

1.  CPU – the main brain of the system, where all the processing of signals happens

2.  Communicator – the part that sends the signals from the CPU to the monitoring station

3.  Devices – the individual zones in the system; doors, motion detectors, etc

To understand the benefits and drawbacks of using wireless in an alarm system, we’re going to break down each of these three components individually and examine them closely.


Today we will look at the CPU.


What does the CPU do?


The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is the real hard worker in the system. It receives signals from every other device in the system, including keypads, door sensors, smoke detectors, keyfobs, etc, and decides what to do with them. Without this part functioning properly, every other part of the system is effectively useless.

What’s the difference between a wired one and a wireless one?


Traditionally, the CPU (or “panel”, as it’s often referred to in the alarm industry) was housed in a secure metal box in a room that is hard to reach, such as a utility room or a locked server room. It is usually part-and-parcel with, or closely housed to, the Communicator; this means that when the CPU decides that someone needs to be notified of something, communication can happen instantly. The siren is also wired into this box.

With the advent of wireless alarm systems, someone somewhere said “hey, we could save money by putting the CPU, the communicator, the siren AND the keypad all in one box”. This seems like a great idea! A technician only has to install one piece of equipment, and run one set of wires to it.  Almost every alarm company offers these types of system, and it is single-handedly responsible for the “Zero down” deals we hear about on the radio every day. They can now install three or four systems in a day instead of one or two, and they’re not paying for multiple pieces of equipment. 

How does the CPU perform in an alarm situation?


The “fully wireless” CPU has a distinct disadvantage: the CPU and communicator are sitting right inside your keypad – probably right next to the front door of your house or business. Not only that, but the sturdy metal enclosure has been replaced with a piece of plastic. More than once I have seen a criminal enter a premise and then simply take a hammer to the keypad. After one or two swings, your keypad is destroyed, your siren is disabled, and your system is dead and has no way to communicate with the outside world. The burglar can take their time in checking out your property and possessions. 

If you had a hard-wired system, the keypad would certainly be destroyed; but the CPU and Communicator are still downstairs doing their job. They’ve detected someone walking in front of the motion detector and have seen that the keypad is no longer responsive, and the Police are on their way. Not to mention that the siren is still blaring, making the burglar think twice about sticking around.

When it comes to communication, the alarm industry has put some safeguards in place to make these kind of break-ins harder to pull off, specifically a technology called “Crash and Smash”, which means a quick distress signal is sent in most of these cases before the keypad is irreparably damaged. This is a great idea, though not without it’s own flaws. I will explore this in my next blog.  

The Bottom Line


The bottom line is that the CPU in a “fully wireless” system is cost-effective and convenient to install, and some even come with built-in touch screens and extra features which aren’t available in hardwired systems; however, they come at the cost of being incredibly vulnerable to attack. When you’re paying a monthly fee for your alarm system, and often an up-front cost as well, do you really want your alarm system to be only as secure as a $10 hammer? 

My recommendation: better safe than sorry. A hardwired CPU may cost you more to have installed, but if your security system isn’t secure, it’s missing the point!

Dave Schlegel
Owner
Oxford Security Systems
Reed Security Authorized Dealer (Calgary)



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Jeff Bolton Owner of JOB Heating and Air Conditioning Shares why "Good Enough" Usually Isn't!

Saskatoon, if you are looking for a Trusted company to help you with your home or business Heating or Cooling system problems or to find the best and most high efficient air conditioner or furnace for your home, J.O.B Heating and Air Conditioning is who you need to call! If your family suffers from allergies a new furnace that filters and helps to eliminate those unwanted allergens will make a real difference. 

The amazing staff at J.O.B Heating & Air Conditioning will consult with you to get something that fits your exact and specific needs and budget. 



get to spend a good deal of time explaining to customers what you should ask for when choosing a contractor. We have all heard about the usual things. "Check the reviews", yes I agree that reviews are important but how many of the are legitimate? How many reviews are there because the contractor earned them and how many are there because he paid for them. How many are there because he has a disgruntled employee or a ruthless competitor and of course how many are there because they are real? 

Further to the reviews here are a few things to notice when they are in your house. What are they looking at and what questions are they asking? My Dad tells me that I have 2 ears and one mouth so it should be 2/3 listening and 1/3 talking. What that means is the contractor should be asking questions about your home but also how you live in that home? How can he or she offer you a product or service without knowing how you intend on using that product or service? In the case of an air conditioner are they looking to ensure that the unit can be placed where you would like it? Or are they looking for the most direct route that would save them time and money? Are they just automatically going to the "best" option because well its the Mercedes who wouldn't want it? In reality most of us drive  Chevy's or Fords. 



I believe that there are a couple of documents that they should show you. You should see their contractor license. In the case of heating contractors they should show you their gas licence. So many times guys hang their shingle out and say I can put that water heater in for you and the never take out a permit so the inspector never knows to go see the job. They end up making a mistake when installing it that causes you to have no hot water at the most inopportune of times.  Further to that if that contractor doesn't have a gas licence when the gas inspector issues a deficiency he has to issue it to the homeowner and if the homeowner does not correct it they could loose their gas service. 

Another document you should ask to see is their Workman's Compensation Board letter of good standing. This lets you know that they have a commitment to safety and they pay there premiums to the WCB which gives you an indication of their financial status. You should also ask to see their insurance certificate. How much coverage do they have? Is it enough to cover the worst case scenario? Check the dates, is everything you are seeing current?





If you are going to get a job done and you are researching the job and the equipment on the Internet please be careful with where you are getting that information. Is it a trusted source such as a manufacturer or a professional group or is it just some blow hard on a message board. When you are planning on researching equipment or contract work I think the best place to start is the glossary. Learn what the terms used are and mean. In the heating business we use terms such as delta T. Sounds impressive right? All it means the the difference between the supply temperature and return temperature. I've heard many contractors say "if you can't dazzle them with knowledge baffle them with BS". This can't be farther from the truth. If he can't explain what he's doing or selling in terms that you will understand then he doesn't completely get it himself. 

Now having said that sometimes in contracting there isn't absolutes, that is to say you never know what you'll find in a wall or under a cement floor. When dealing with new products the contractor will have to research it and get back to you. Don't be afraid if a contractor tells you this. This shows diligence and a commitment to getting it right the first time. 

Every job isn't going to go perfectly the best contractors are the one's that have a game plan in place to deal with problems when they arise. Having a plan means the problem gets repaired quickly and with as little disruption to the homeowner as possible. Remember even Mike Homes makes mistakes, he just gets to edit them.

- Jeff Bolton

At J.O.B Heating and Air they strive to hold up the values of Trusted Saskatoon! Find them online at www.jobheating.com or check out their listing here in the Saskatoon AIR CONDITIONING & FURNACE Directory of excellence!

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