Pets enrich our lives. A well trained, well behaved dog makes life better. Teaching your dog simple tricks also teaches them how to obey commands, gives opportunities for positive reinforcement and teaches your pet discipline. Who knew tricks could be the key to having a well behaved and happy dog?! Here are 5 fun tricks to teach your best friend, from your friends at Timbercreek Communities.

Kiss

It’s pretty easy to get a dog to lick your face. The trick is to get them to give you a gentle kiss that doesn’t require toweling off after. Hold a treat by your face as you say the command and offer your cheek. Wait until he touches your cheek with his nose and pull away and give him the treat before he can lick you. Eventually he will learn that is all that is required. If you have a big or overly excitable dog, don’t let your kids perform this trick until your dog has it down.

Shake Paws

You’ll need a little patience to teach your dog to shake a paw. If you can spare the time, it's ideal to practice for about 5 minutes a day. To keep you both from getting tired or frustrated. Show your dog the treat in your hand. If your pet lifts its paw, or bats at the treat in your closed hand, reward your pooch with the treat and a little praise. Your other hand should remain out flat to shake. When your pup lifts his or her paw you can grab it while he/she takes the treat.

Fetch

It may seem like a dog would naturally fetch without training but the truth is, most don’t. Most dogs will simply stare and possibly wonder why you are throwing their toy away. Follow these 6 steps to teach your dog to fetch, from the dog whisperer himself, Cesar Millan.

Bark on Command

Teaching your dog to speak or is an easy trick and can fix a barking problem, as he will learn to bark only when commanded. If your dog has a barking trigger, like a knock at the door, try knocking on the door. When he barks say “speak” and give him a treat and/or click your clicker. Repeat this several times, then give the “speak” command without knocking. If he obeys and barks, give him treats and praise.

Spin

Teaching your dog to spin is not only cute, it also keeps your pet limber. Place a treat on his/her nose but don’t let your dog eat it. Slowly move your hand in the direction you want your pet to spin. Stick with one direction at first. Once your pet completes a full circle, click, use your marker word and give him/her a treat.

We hope you give these fun tricks to teach your dog a try! To find your home with Timbercreek Communities, please visit our website.

It’s grilling season and nothing tastes better on the grill than a juicy and delicious burger. If your burger game is getting a little played out, we have some suggestions for how to step it up. Here are 5 seriously tasty burgers you’ve got to try this weekend!

The Perfect Burger

When something is called The Perfect Burger, you’ve simply got to try it and see for yourself. You only need eight basic ingredients to form the patties: egg, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper and medium ground beef. Then you can customize the recipe to make your perfect burger with suggested “stir-ins” like caesar dressing, curry powder or hoisin sauce.

Umami Burger with Port and Stilton

Umami is known as the “fifth taste”, it falls right after sweet, salty, sour and bitter. It is a deeply satisfying, savoury taste. Resist the urge to pile on any of the usual toppings on this Umami Burger. The only toppings you need are Port wine and Stilton cheese.

Quinoa-veggie Burger

Burgers don't need meat to taste delicious. If you’re avoiding meat you can still have a satisfying burger this summer. This super-nutritious Quinoa-veggie burger is sandwiched between two grilled portobello mushrooms for a protein-packed, low-carb twist on a classic.

Guacamole Turkey Burger

Not into red meat? These Guacamole Turkey Burgers are topped with a delicious dollop of guacamole. Dark-meat turkey makes the patties juicy and the chili powder, lime zest, and cilantro lends a Southwestern flavour.

Butter Chicken Burger

These amazing Butter Chicken Burgers are a rich and perfectly spiced twist on two classic dishes. Serve them with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and a little plain Greek yogurt for an international taste sensation!

You really can’t go wrong with any of these amazing burgers. We hope they help you take a big bite of summer!

To find your home with Timbercreek Communities across Canada, please visit our website.

We spend roughly 1.5 years in the bathroom in our lifetime. While it may seem like a chore to most men, personalizing your bathroom can go a long way. From hardware to software, it doesn’t take much to make your bathroom both more civilized and more masculine. To help you get started, Timbercreek has a few ways to create a more masculine bathroom.

Dark Tones: Navy, Grey, Taupe.

Try incorporating a dark-toned colour palette into the space (think navy, grey, olive and taupe) through standard bathroom items like new towels, a shower curtain, a bath mat, etc. These small changes can make a big impact and totally revamp the look of the space.

Incorporate Metals Into Finishes: Chrome, Pewter, Copper, Brushed Steel

Nothing says masculine like a little metal. Whether you are renovating or renting, incorporating metal finishes and accents can make any bathroom more masculine. Easy bathroom features to swap out include towel racks, toilet paper holders, garbage cans, and soap dishes and dispensers.

Better Towels

Ditch your stack of ratty, musty, thin, washed-too-many-times towels and invest in some new plush, high quality towels.  Nice towels make bathroom time more enjoyable. To keep the look masculine stick to dark tones or white.

Non-Traditional Objects: Repurposed Items

If you’re on a budget, thinking beyond the bathroom aisle never hurts. Try a tin pail for a garbage can or a pencil holder for toothbrushes. Use a small area rug instead of a bathmat -- the sky’s the limit! While Bed Bath and Beyond would have us believe otherwise, bath furnishings can come from anywhere.

Add Personal Touches:

Photos from trips or special interests are always nice accents.  Race cars, beach tanning, travel pics, even a 50s era pinup poster can add warmth and personality to a bathroom space. 

Have Fun With Shower Curtains

If you don’t care about quality, shower curtains can be really inexpensive. They come in a myriad of colours, shapes, textures and opacity and are easy to replace when you get bored. There may be no easier, faster, or cheaper way to give your bathroom a macho makeover than a new masculine shower curtain. Stick to dark colours, simple patterns, or no pattern at all.

Aftershave

A bottle of your favourite aftershave, or even classic Old Spice or Aqua Velva, will make your bathroom smell more masculine. While it’s easy to overdo cologne, a nice traditional aftershave (applied sparingly) will give you and your bathroom a masculine scent that’s not overpowering.

Well Placed Magazines

Bathroom reading is a thing for a reason. There’s nothing more manly than a selection of fishing, hunting, or video game magazines to help pass the time.  A dash of Scientific American or The Economist can help up the class factor and keep you informed. 

Air Freshener

A good air freshener can make a big impact.  Be careful to choose a good quality brand and a relatively subtle scent. Cheap air fresheners are semi toxic and stick to nasal passages, while good quality air fresheners cover odors but aren’t harmful.

A Good Stock of TP

It’s safe to say most men usually keep the bare minimum of toilet paper on hand. Having a fresh well stocked supply of toilet paper is nice for guests and will ensure you are prepared for anything that comes your way.

Timbercreek hopes this list helps make your bathroom more masculine.  For more information about Timbercreek Communities in your city, please visit our website.

Bold Magenta

Lipstick, hairstyles, even Benjamin Moore is on top of Bold Magenta this year. Check out more here.

White and Woods

The combination of white and wood-based tones are gaining popularity this year, both in architecture, jewelry, and fashion design. See examples here.

Aqua

From the Trend Council to People magazine, aqua is on deck to be a popular 2017 colour, both in fashion and interior design style. Get the skinny here.

Take advantage of these colour trends this Spring! Incorporate these hues into your wardrobe and home decor for a fresh look.

For more information on Timbercreek Rental Communities across Canada, please visit our website.

WE LOVE PETS! They provide companionship, affection and improve our quality of life -- if they are well behaved. To teach your pets to behave properly you need to be able to get and hold their attention. When you can get their attention, then you can give them commands and control their behavior. It’s straightforward, but it’s not always easy. To help you take control, Timbercreek Communities wants to share these 4 steps for getting your pet’s attention.

Eye Contact is Key

Your pet, especially a dog, is thinking about what it is looking at. If they are not making eye contact with you, chances are they are not thinking about you or what you want them to do. Eye contact is key. The first step in training your pet is to teach them to stare at you, without stopping. After several sessions getting your dog familiar with eye contact, you won’t need to tug on their collar to get their attention.

The Name Game

Getting your dog familiar with eye contact is crucial, but how do you get them to stare at you on command? Teach them their own name. A pet’s name can be used to get their attention, so that you can then tell them what you want them to do next, like “come” for example. It’s important that you only say your pet’s name once. If you repeat the name over and over, they may dismiss it. If you don’t get their attention after saying their name, follow it with attention-getting noises. You can pat your leg or make high pitched noises, then reward them when they look at you.

Praise

Your pet will respond to praise. Positive reinforcement works. The reward of praise makes them likely to repeat the behavior they were praised for. Timing is key -- you need to give them the praise immediately or they will not associate it with the correct action. If you tell your dog to “sit” and then say “good boy” when they stand back up, they will think they are being praised for standing up.

Reward

Besides praise, the other reward that is important to your pet is treats. When you say their name and they stare at you, reward them with a treat immediately. Keep your commands short. Single words are best. Everyone in the family should use the same commands and reward good behaviour right away. Consistency is key. The treat should be small, not something they need to take time to chew. Accompany these treat rewards with praise and you will be able to get your pet’s attention and have them follow your simple commands.

Timbercreek Communities hopes these tips for getting your pet’s attention help to transform your pet into a happy a well behaved member of the family.

To learn about pet friendly Timbercreek Rental Communities across Canada, please visit our website.

The one thing that we can control is our reaction to stress. Developing a meditation practice has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety and improve mood and immunity, along with many other benefits. Timbercreek Communities is here to show you how to easily incorporate yoga or meditation into your day.

In the Morning

Meditation first thing in the morning is a great way to prime yourself for the day ahead. It can prepare you for the challenges the day will bring, and help you deal with stress before it starts. It helps set a positive tone for the day. Be sure to get enough sleep because if you are over-tired you may simply fall back asleep during your meditation. Be sure to give yourself enough time so your meditation doesn’t feel like one more chore you don’t have time for.

Before Going to Bed

If you go to bed tense and stressed, you’re not going to get the restful sleep that you need. Meditating just before bed is a great idea. Give yourself a few minutes to lie down, focus your mind and breath, and prepare yourself for sleep.

While you wait

With enough meditation practice, you will be able to enter a meditative state more easily. The more you practice, the easier it will get and you will be able to take meditative breaks anywhere. Close your eyes (never while driving) and focus only on your breath or the sounds around you. Even 30 seconds whenever you can throughout the day can be effective, if you use that time effectively, with focus.

Practice mindful eating

A goal of meditation is to bring you into the present moment with attention. You can do this whenever you take a bite of food throughout the day and practice mindful eating. Pay attention to what you are eating. The flavours, the textures, the sound of chewing. It can also be effective in changing your diet to more healthful food because you are paying attention to what you are putting into your body.

Get on your Mat

Yoga is a form of moving meditation. You can exercise and meditate at the same time. In yoga, movement and breath are linked and you can practice maintaining a calm inner focus, no matter what strenuous work you are doing or what stresses are coming at you. Youtube yogis like Tara Stiles make it easy to incorporate incredibly short yoga practices into your day, any time, anywhere.

Timbercreek Communities hopes that you feel inspired by these tips for how to easily incorporate yoga or meditation into your day.

Stainless steel is beautiful, but it smudges easily. It can even, strangely, become stained. Don’t despair! It’s easy and inexpensive to keep your steel stainless and smudge-free. Timbercreek Communities has some great tips for how to keep your stainless steel clean.

Vinegar and Oil

Vinegar and oil is not only great for salad dressing, it also leaves your stainless steel gleaming! Don’t mix them together though, you need to apply the two ingredients separately. You can use mineral oil, olive oil or other vegetable oil. The first step is to determine to determine the direction of the grain, it will either be vertical or horizontal. Go with the grain.  Pour a small amount of oil on a microfiber cloth and polish in the direction of the grain. Next, pour a small amount of white vinegar on the other side of the cloth (or use a new cloth) and wipe off any remaining smudges, again, in the direction of the grain. You’ll be left with shiny steel!

Dish Soap and Baby Oil

For this 2 step process you’ll need a couple of soft, non-abrasive cloths, and a little dish soap and baby oil. Dampen your first cloth and apply a little dish soap. Clean the steel along the direction of the grains. Going against the grain will not damage the steel, but you won’t get the clean, gleaming shine that you’re looking for. When you’re done cleaning the steel, wipe up any water streaks before polishing (with the grain) with a couple of drops of baby or mineral oil on a cloth.

Club Soda

Is there anything club soda can’t clean? Put a little club soda in a spray bottle and spray directly onto the steel, then wipe it away with a cloth in the direction of the grain. This will remove fingerprints and residue, and give your stainless steel a nice shine.

Glass Cleaner

A big complaint with stainless steel is all the fingerprints. You can quickly remove them by using glass cleaner, such as Windex. It’s not recommended that you spray it directly onto the appliance, as you may end up with drip marks and residue. Spray a small amount onto a cloth and apply it in a circular motion. Rinse thoroughly with water and another cloth and dry with a clean towel.

Your stainless steel just wants to shine! Timbercreek Communities hopes these tips help you keep your stainless steel clean and bright.

To learn more about Timbercreek Rental Communities across Canada, please visit our website.

While it’s a little early for t-shirts and sunscreen, the days are getting longer and the clocks have sprung ahead. It’s important to keep our animal friends in mind as spring begins. From cleaning products to open doors and windows, spring plants, and other seasonal changes, hazards to our pets increase. To keep your pets safe and sound, Timbercreek Communities has some important safety tips for spring.

Steer clear of standing water

From algae to mold, dirt, oil, heavy metals, and giardia, standing water (puddles, eaves troughs, ponds, poorly draining backyards) can present a danger to pets. While their digestive systems tend to be less sensitive than humans, pets can still get sick from drinking contaminated water. Try to keep an eye on your yard, and keep an eye out for standing water pockets on your walk routes.

Keep spring cleaning materials high up

Cleaning products contain a ton of toxic chemicals and need to be kept out of reach of your pets. Consider keeping your cleaning stuff in a high place. If you’re like a lot of people, you keep your cleaning solutions under the sink, or on a shelf next to the laundry. For your pet’s safety, relocate any and all cleaning products to a high shelf or cabinet. Keeping them out of reach will prevent accidental ingestion (and vet bills!).

Avoid toxic plants

Lilies can be fatal to cats if ingested. The ASPCA also lists Azaleas, Tulips and Sago Palms as having “systemic effects on animals and/or intense effects on the gastrointestinal tract.” While both dogs and cats gnaw on grass and succulents for added vitamin content, it’s important to be aware that these and other common greens can give your pets trouble. Get more info here.

Keep Easter chocolate out of reach

While delicious for humans, chocolate is toxic to cats and dogs. Throw in that cute little plastic grass that comes with many Easter basket packs and you get a real pet hazard. Inform your kids about the dangers of both items. They shouldn’t have trouble keeping their chocolate safe, but remind them to keep it out of pet reach.

Screen your windows (cat safety)

Even indoor cats love the prospect of outdoor freedom. With spring weather comes open windows and doors, which present an irresistible seduction to the adventurous pet. Get a jump on spring by installing screens on windows to deter your cats (dogs, birds, salamanders) from roaming the neighbourhood (sad as it might be for them!).

Watch out for fleas

Spring is flea and tick season. Luckily for you, knowing is half the battle. The best prevention is cleaning your pet’s bed, sleeping and hangout areas, vacuuming your home, and watching your pet for telltale flea and tick behaviour (scratching, biting, licking, shaking). Click here for more info.

At Timbercreek Communities, we know how much you love your pets and we hope that these important safety tips for spring keep your pets happy and healthy this year.

For more information on Timbercreek Communities across Canada, please visit our website.

Spring has sprung and it’s almost time for Easter! The big day falls on Monday April 17th this year. If you’re planning a feast with family and friends at your Timbercreek home, Timbercreek Communities wants to help out in the kitchen with some delicious recipes for the best Easter main courses.

Crown Roast of Lamb

This Crown Roast of Lamb is an impressive cut of meat for a special culinary occasion. It’s perfect for an Easter dinner. It’s prepared in about 45 minutes by arranging two racks of lamb in semi-circles and cooking for 8 to 12 minutes per pound with minced garlic, fresh thyme, coriander, and rosemary. The video will help guide you along.

Sugar Glazed Ham

An old fashioned Sugar Glazed Ham, with it’s sweet golden brown coating, is a fabulous main course for Easter. The sweetness of the brown sugar is complemented perfectly by the mustard and vinegar. Best of all, it only takes 5 minutes to prepare, so you’ll have more time to spend with your family while it bakes for 1 ½ to 2 hours.

Wild Mushroom and Spinach Lasagna

This hearty Wild Mushroom and Spinach Lasagna is an excellent vegetarian Easter entree.

It’s loaded with five pounds of fresh (or frozen) spinach and 3 pounds of wild mushrooms, and topped with a Madeira wine and parsley sauce. Frozen spinach can be used in place of fresh in this recipe.

Salmon with Dijon Dill

This Salmon with Dijon Dill will make a refreshing change to your Easter Holiday meal. The rich sauce is made with butter, dill, Dijon mustard, shallots and white wine. The sauce is a rich addition to the delicate flaky fish. This dish only requires 20 minutes of hands on time and another 20 minutes of cooking time.

Lemon-Thyme Split-Roasted Turkey

The classic pairing of lemon and thyme gives this Split-Roasted Turkey a springtime feel that is perfect for your Easter feast. The split-roasting method also saves time when compared to a traditional roast turkey. You’ll need 30 minutes of prep time and only an hour and a half to 2 hours in the oven.

Happy Easter from Timbercreek Communities!

To learn more about Timbercreek Rental Communities across Canada, please visit our website.

Liberty Village is located in Toronto’s west end, in one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods. The fascinating blend of old-world charm and modern, urban living is something that must be experienced to be fully appreciated. To help you get a feel for the neighbourhood, Timbercreek Communities created this guide to Liberty Village.

Bars and Restaurants

Liberty Village is a great neighbourhood for food and drink. There are many excellent restaurants and bars to discover. The interior of Les 3 Brasseurs (3 Brewers) feels lofty, yet cozy. The beams, brickwork and the brewery itself, are all exposed, in fact every step of the brewing process in on display. The menu outlines helpful pairing suggestions for those looking to have their beverage compliment their meal. For example, when you choose your Pulled Pork Poutine ($13), you’ll know to order the Amber or Brown to wash it down. If you’re looking for something cozy, LOCAL Public Eatery is an amazingly comforting option. This restaurant compares itself to a living room with better food and drink. LOCAL Public Eatery is obsessed with craft beer and constantly rotates new selections. The menu is loaded with affordable international fare, offering everything from Chicken Quesadillas ($7.50) to Perogies with bacon and fried onions ($8). Their drinks menu is incredible and features local craft beers (like Collective Arts) and more familiar offerings from around the world (like Sapporo). They also have some seriously delicious cocktails, comically served in a boot and not in a boot like their Lucky Lemonade in a boot ($9) -- a delightful mix of JD, lemonade and guava juice.

Concerts, Sports and More!

Liberty Village is home to BMO Field, a huge stadium located in Exhibition Place. It’s an incredible venue for soccer and football games (featuring the Toronto FC and the Toronto Argonauts), not to mention major concerts and theater performances. Get your tickets for upcoming events here.

Coffee Shops and Cafes

Ciao Europe Cafe (80 Western Battery Road) is a cafe by day and a wine bar by night. Enjoy their fresh panini, stone-baked pizzas, and house-baked pastries. Other options when you’re on the hunt for caffeine in Liberty Village include Balzac’s Coffee (43 Hanna Avenue) and Louie Craft Coffee (1187 King St. West). Click here for a full list of local cafes to visit.

Convenient Transit

True Torontonians are always on the move. We love how accessible Liberty Village is thanks to streetcars, buses, Go Train access, not to mention the Gardiner and Lakeshore. Residents are located close to streetcar lines on Queen and King street that run East and West, and are within walking distance of Go Transit's Exhibition Station. Drivers can access downtown Toronto in minutes thanks to the Gardiner Expressway and Lakeshore Boulevard, which are connected to highways leading out of the downtown core.

Design

If you’re looking for interior design and furnishings for your Liberty Village apartment, there’s no need to leave the neighbourhood. Everything you need is within easy reach. West Elm (109 Atlantic Ave) is a great nearby option that is full of contemporary furniture and more for your entire home.

A pet’s playground

Dog owners will love Liberty Village thanks to the outstanding off-leash area in Stanley Park. Owners of timid pups can alternatively stick to the main park paths or surrounding neighbourhood streets. The neighbourhood also boasts a few great pet shops, like Global Pet Foods, Pet Valu and Timmie Doggie Outfitters which features pet clothing, accessories, designer toys, treats, gourmet foods and grooming for posh-pooches and cats.

Groceries

Liberty Village may be ultra-modern but it can still feel like a good, old fashioned neighbourhood. You can step outside your front door and take a trip to the local butcher, baker, cheese shop, chocolate shop or health food store, or enjoy the convenience of a one-stop-shop at Metro Supermarket (100 Lynn Williams St.).

Timbercreek Communities hopes our guide to Liberty Village has left you wanting more. To find your home with Timbercreek Communities across Canada, or in near Liberty Village at  200 Dufferin Street, please visit our website.