Active dry yeast: be sure to bloom it before adding it to the bread mixture. Add the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast to a bowl, stir and let sit for 5-10 minutes or until foamy. Once the yeast is activated, you can add it into the bread dough when you add the water.
Milk: instead of powder, you will need to warm the milk (just like the water.) You can use milk + water to bloom the yeast if it is active dry yeast.
Let is rise: a weird trick that I use to help dough rise, I heat my empty dryer for a few minutes until warm. Turn off the dryer, and place the bowl of dough inside (do not turn the dryer back on.) The heat will help the dough rise quickly.