The ezPalm Blog

I’m pretty convinced although hog roasts have been around for almost a thousand years they are at their most fashionable right now.One of the most brilliant and amazing things anyone could do in medieval times was to roast a whole hog to serve up at a important feast. It was merely the very wealthy and important who could afford to do this, and consequently only a select few got to experience it. Anyone can now experience a hog roast as in 2009 they are even more fashionable then they were back in the medieval times. When next hosting a large party you should consider the possible action of having a hog roast at your event, as there is no better way of feeding numerous hungry people. Although it was a thousand years ago the method of roasting a hog in 2009 has barely varied from the medieval method. Using a gas cooker and a mechanism to turn the spit instead of a fire pit and a manual spit turning system, these are the small difference between the two methods.Nevertheless both methods produce the same results, a beautifully roasted hog, dripping with flavour and covered in golden brown crackling, a sight which few men or women can resist.

The hog roast dates back before gothic times. In medieval and early advanced kitchens, the spit was the chosen way of preparing meat in a large household. A servant sat near the spit turning the metal rod slowly and readying the food; they were known as the “spit boy” or “spit jack”. More mechanized means were later invented, first run by dog-powered treadmill, and then by steam power and mechanical clockwork mechanisms. Spits are now usually driven by electric motors.Rotisserie is a style of roasting where meat is skewered on a spit - a long hard rod used to hold food while it is being cooked over a fire in a fireplace or over a campfire, or roasted in an oven. This method is mostly used for cooking large joints of meat or entire animals, such as hogs, turkeys, goats or historically, entire cattle. The rotation cooks the meat equally in its own juices and provides easy access for sustained basting if desired. The results are meat cooked to perfection and a taste that is second to none, this great way of cooking is once again becoming one of the most fashionable ways of cooking big pieces of meat by adding some of the theatre and spectacle back into cooking.

Dog training may seen like a daunting task. However, there is hope. Just remember to let the dog know that you are the master and he or she is not. Make sure that you speak in a tone that shows authority. Routine is crucial. If you keep these things in mind, you cannot go wrong.

When you bring that sweet little puppy home, you just want to let it do whatever it wants to do, because it is oh so cute. However, you must keep in mind that you are in charge, just as you would when you bring a child home from the hospital. Letting the puppy know that you are boss and what you say goes from the moment you bring him home will allow the puppy to see there are boundaries that are not to be crossed. Make sure that you start off with pointing, using gestures and body language that you will use consistently so that the dog will associate that motion with what he is to do.

Say it like you mean it. When you begin taking your dog for a walk or training him to stay in the yard, you must speak in a very firm authoritative tone. This is very important. If not, the dog may not know that you are serious or associate what you are saying with danger or discipline. Make sure that when you are going for a walk or asking the dog if he needs to go outside, you use a tone that shows excitement, something that he would want to do. This helps him differentiate between the firmness of you saying “stay” while looking to cross the street with his excitement to be outside and explore.

Routine is the key. Make sure that the gestures, the tone and the words that you use are consistent. Using the same routine will allow the puppy to adapt to his new surroundings and make him feel safe and secure, as well as help you feel more at ease knowing that your dog will obey. When taking the dog outside, always use the same door, so he knows that is where he is always to be when he needs to go outside. When you go to bed, use the same command or short phrase, so that he may recognize what time it is. Routine with dogs allows both of you to know what to expect and the dog will be far more likely to obey if he knows what is coming.

With all that said, have fun and enjoy the new member of your family! Training can be an exciting time and does not have to be frustrating. Go to the park on a sunny day and play while teaching him how to obey. Just remember to let him know, in love, who is boss!

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Dog Training