INPUT ARTICLE: Article: These products usually come as sprays or powders, and you can often find them at pet shops and garden supply stores. There are numerous scents manufacturers use to drive dogs away, and most products contain natural ingredients. Some of these dog repellants are meant to have a bitter smell that dogs dislike. Others actually smell like the urine of the predators and will thus scare dogs away. Motion-activated sprinklers are not only designed to water your lawn but also to scare off any visiting critters, including dogs, cats, and raccoons. Set these sprinklers up along the perimeter of your lawn or at any specific spot where visiting strays frequently do their business. As the dog passes in front of the sprinkler, the motion will set it the sensors, triggering a quick spray of water. This spray is enough to startle most dogs and send them scurrying away. Nothing keeps animals out quite like a physical barrier. Dogs looking for an easy spot to take care of their business will likely skip over lawns with fences in favor of those without. Make sure you keep the gate of your fence closed and periodically monitor the perimeter for holes dug by stubborn canines. If you already have a fence, check for holes that need to be repaired. It is also possible to purchase electrified fences, but that is an extreme solution. Ultrasonic repellents are also motion-activated. You can mount the mechanism onto a shed, tree, or fence. As the dog approaches, it will trigger the sensors, causing the repellent to emit sonic and ultrasonic sound waves that are intended to bother the dog. It is unclear how well these devices actually work. Until more evidence emerges supporting their efficacy, this should probably be your last resort.

SUMMARY: Spray a commercial dog repellent. Install a motion-activated sprinkler. Put up a fence. Use an ultrasonic repellent.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: After about 1-2 years of growth, your walnut tree should have its basic form. It should have several moderately thick branches and be roughly 4–6 ft (1.2–1.8 m) tall. At this point, you can begin shaping the tree into the central leader position. The central leader position typically has 1 main trunk with about 5 branches on the side.  The central leader position is based off the natural growth of the tree, focusing on a main leader branch that keeps the canopy of the tree open to light and air circulation. The central leader helps supply nutrients to the large, fruit bearing branches so the tree grows as many walnuts as possible. The branch at the very top is your “central leader,” which keeps the top of your tree open and airy. If you see additional branches growing towards the top, snip them off with garden shears or saw them away using a hand saw. This way, your tree can direct all its nutrients to this topmost branch. When pruning walnut trees, observe the "3-to-1 rule." Examine the thickness of your trunk, and use this as a guide when deciding which branches to keep and which to remove. If you find a branch larger than ⅓ of the trunk's diameter, cut it off at a 45-degree angle. This way, your branches will all receive a balanced amount of nutrients and grow healthy and strong. If your tree has more than 1 thick branch, then it will be harder for the other branches to grow and develop walnuts.  If you keep branches that are on the thicker side, they can unevenly drain the nutrients from the tree and grow too thick. A forked branch is a shoot with a split in the branch, causing 2 branches to grow from the main branch. These branches require more nutrients from the tree, and they often act as leeches from the other branches receiving vital nutrients. To prevent this, you can either cut off 1 side of the branch to make a single shoot, or you can cut off the branch entirely.  Both options will help your tree better conserve nutrients. If you already have many adequate branches, you may want to simply remove the branch completely. If you have a few sparse branches, trim off the smaller of the forked sides. Inspect the framework of your tree, and look for any branches that have intersecting paths or touch together. These branches are cosmetically unattractive, and they often make the inner skeleton of your tree bulky and hard to access. As a result, your tree may not grow as many walnuts. To prevent this, cut off these branches where they meet the trunk of the tree.  This way, your tree only grows outward-facing, healthy branches. This keeps the tree invigorated, so it can put more energy into fewer branches. Cut off any branches that are below 4–5 ft (1.2–1.5 m) or so. Low-hanging branches take away from the rounded look of your tree. In addition, get rid of any discolored or thin branches. Small and damaged branches drain nutrients from your tree. Cut your branches at a 45-degree angle so you minimally damage the tree. These branches take away from the overall look and shape of the tree, and since they are not very strong, they likely will not grow walnuts.

SUMMARY: Prune the tree when it is 1-2 years old into the central leader position. Leave 1 main branch at the top of your tree and remove the rest. Remove branches thicker than ⅓ of your trunk’s thickness. Cut off any forked branches either into a single shoot or at the trunk. Trim off branches that cross or rub together to keep your tree healthy. Remove any low-hanging and damaged branches to shape your tree.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: . Cheerleading is a big commitment and you’ll need to show your parents and the coach that you can handle it. Be sure to stay on top of your school work; complete all your homework, study for tests, and turn everything in on time. In most cases, cheerleaders need to achieve a certain GPA in order to stay on the team, so make your schoolwork a priority! . Cheer requires flexibility, strength, and endurance. You should go running, swimming, or lift weights to prepare for tryouts. Playing other sports will also help you get into shape, so join another team if you think you can handle it. . Drink lots of water to stay hydrated. Be sure to eat a variety of foods, including protein, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables. Stay away from salty and sugary snacks as well as soda and energy drinks. . It’s important to get eight to ten hours of sleep each night. Your body needs time to rest and recuperate, especially if you’ve been exercising and working hard on learning the basics of cheerleading.

SUMMARY:
Keep your grades up Exercise Eat healthy Get enough sleep