Shock collars, used for dogs, is probably the most annoying invention of all. However, there's one area where it works flawlessly – for a spouse that can't shut up, and who doesn't have the balls to be good at anything including the all-important topic of infidelity.

A little "energy boost" would do the trick – in having some peace and quiet around, don't you think?

(And this goes for both men and women – not just the fairer sex, who are often labeled as nags. Not so – there are some men who really need to get a life.)

While negative reinforcement might not be such a good idea with dogs, it would work well with some of these losers, who can't think of anything better to do than complain, complain and complain all day long.

In fact, you should hand over the controls to your pet dog – especially the earlier versions that were designed to punish dogs for undesirable behavior.

You won't be surprised how humane they might turn out to be… yes, they deserve a dog treadmill or two!

Shock Collars – An Introduction

As mentioned earlier, these animals were subjected to shocks that were strong, to say the least, and ever since dog training have changed to use positive reinforcement – which is something that you have to have knowledge of, whether you teach kids or undergraduate students…

And somehow we've missed the point of using this method on animals until some of them got tired of these electric shocks and went berserk. C'mon, if you push anyone past their limits, it would be stupid and blind to not expect such as a reaction.

Precisely why your spouse will never see it coming…

These days, the electric collars are designed to emit a shock that's lesser in intensity but still serves the purpose of keeping a dog under control – such as staying within a perimeter or to silence them when they bark.

But as with all things, there are pros and cons to anything and everything that exists, and so let's look at the pros and cons of a shock collar.

Shock Collar - Pros & Cons

Pro #1: There are some types of collars that are better than shock collars such as the noise electronic collar that can be used to quieten a dog down by emitting a loud noise that only the dog can hear.

Pro #2: If you have an aggressive pet, these shock collars might work only to a certain extent as they'll take you for a walk instead of the other way. Again, if used too many times, it can worsen the aggressiveness.

Pro #3: Might work for dogs that are deaf – but has to be used very carefully

Con #1: Very very bad invention that should just not be used for dogs that are passive – aggressive ones, maybe – trainers still think it's not a good way to treat either type of dog.

Con #2: Most training occurs within six months of age, and these collars are recommended to be used after this age limit. Trust me – it's not worth it because owners don't know the difference between control and cruelty.

Con #3: Shock collars are expensive and might need a change in batteries just when you might need to control.

In Closing

And if shock collars don't work with your "bitter half" – next up: car batteries. Sorry folks, desperate times call for desperate measures… especially if they're one of those types that constantly needs some 'excitement'…

Balding is so commonly associate with men, that people sometimes forget that hair loss in women is a big problem as well. In today's society, balding for a woman is arguably much more debilitating than for a man.

Luckily, there are several ways to fight and even reverse the underlying factors that cause this problem, providing methods to prevent hair loss in women.

One of the most common causes is dieting, whether by over-restriction or poor nutrition, eating habits can have a huge impact on your entire body, including hair loss. As for crash diets or too much junk food, vitamin deficiencies can build up, and your body doesn't have the tools it needs to function normally.

Some of the most important vitamins for healthy hair include niacin, biotin, and B6. Before you just rush out and start loading up on these supplements, remember that it is always better to get vitamins from whole and natural foods whenever possible.

All of these vitamins, including other important nutrients like sulphur, copper, and magnesium can be easily consumed through an increased intake in fruits and vegetables. Even iron and protein can help provide more support for hair growth, so including meats and nuts can help boost your intake there as well.

Another of the common causes of hair loss in women is hormonal changes, usually the result of pregnancy or menopause. While you can't exactly prevent these from happening in most cases, you'll be glad to know that the effects are usually temporary, and your hair will return to normal as your hormones balance back out.

Using too many harsh chemicals and products in your hair can also lead to a significant loss or thinnning. Commercial grade dyes should not be used more than once every 3 months, and safer, more natural alternatives should be sought altogether for the best chance of healthier hair.

While this can be a very stressful time and event in a woman's life, it's important to know that there are ways to prevent hair loss in women, and you can get started on reversing the negative effects and getting your healthy hair back today.

Twice a week, I visit extended family who lives not far away from where I stay, and this business of marriage and relationships crops up time and time again, over a couple of drinks. It happens pretty regularly in my culture (Indian) when you're above 30 and not in a long-term relationship.

(Frankly, I'm just enjoying the fact that I don't have to be in a relationship, and have someone suck the "will to live". RIP Greg Giraldo – some of us will remain free-spirited in our own way.)

Yet at the back of my mind, I know that it's time to start dating again – but can do with a lot of space that won't be around if you agree to a marriage. A wife is very different from a girlfriend.

(Do the words 'slave' come to mind? OK, joking.)

A far cry from the time when you realized when she was the 'one'… and it's now or never!

Rude jokes such as married men being emotionally castrated reverberate the bars and other places where men assemble… but what the hey, we'd be stupid to expect any better. Marriage is like that…

Even God might be confused as to what a woman wants: no man can boast of such a feat of being able to dive into the depths of a woman's mind.

So, would it be wise for us to foolishly attempt that incredible now?

Relationships: A Psychological Take on Matters

George Carlin once said, "Scratch a cynic and you'll find a disappointed idealist." And perhaps, it's true of me if I've come across as abrasive here… at least, I'm honest enough to admit it. Blame it on women who have a tendency to nag along the lines of "You always do this, and say that". Get my drift?

Talk about communication issues… something that most "relationship experts" go on and on about.

As a rule, women love to talk… so where does that leave us men with a poor understanding of semantics and emotions?

Notice why women win almost every fight in the relationship? Thanks to the blubbering idiots they're with…

So what should we as men do?

Keep your traps shut when they talk, right? Sorry pal, if it was as easy as that…

Let's face it: We're never going to be as linguistically gifted as their friends' boyfriends or husbands might seem, while the truth might be something completely different.

The only people who can match up to their expectations are the friends that they've kept in touch with since kindergarten.

But we can try (snigger – but that's just me)… more stupid brownie points for that collection of yours matter, right?

Things to say to your girlfriend: A Collection of Crappy Tips…

So here are a few things to say to your girlfriend in order to keep them happy "all the time"… yeah, crappy tips, alright!

#1: Listen, listen & listen

Listen not only for the "what" but for the "how" when they're talking. I know, it takes a lot of work. However, if you need your daily dose of you-know-what, you'll do it. As for married men, this only applies to you if you are in an illicit affair. Kidding, kidding!

#2: Keep it cocky & funny

Women like men who are confident but not arrogant (read as: cocky) and who are funny (but not a circus clown). Just temper the jokes or they will come back to bite you in the ass. Sensitive beings some of them are especially when it comes to DISRESPECT…

#3: Be prepared to play Clark Kent

Women want you to be everything. You're like Hercules, Superman & Flash all rolled into one – and might not be enough. Get used to it. If you don't feel this pressure in this day and age – you're one lucky guy!

#4: Compliments galore

No matter how cynical (read as: realistic) I might come across, I know one thing about women, and that is that they love compliments, and do this religiously, especially if they deserve it. So pay them compliments but not to get them into bed but because you respect the individual they are.

In Closing

Good luck, boys… because you're gonna need it. Because the men who best get along with women are those who best get along with them. And yours truly understands that fact than most people…

[For the genius otherwise known as Greg Giraldo... :)]

"Rat sex."

Those were the first words out of Dr. Avery Gilbert's mouth when asked how he got into the world of noses and senses.

I love to meet and talk with people who are passionate about what they do, no matter what that might be, and especially when it's something different and unique.

Dr. Gilbert is a perfect example, because while you might be able to fake your way through a boring and monotonous desk job, it's tough to devote your life to delving deep inside people's nasal cavities without having a genuine interest and fascination with how the nose works.

What the Nose Knows: The Science of Scent in Everyday Life is Dr. Gilbert's book that teaches you everything you didn't know you wanted to know about your nose and the smells and aromas that we process everyday.

Far from boring, this book is a fun and humorous look at one of the senses we take for granted, and you'll come away with enough trivia and funny stories to become the life of your next cocktail party.

Dr. Gilbert is dead serious, though, about finding links between smell and human psychology. His expertise in odors and scents has led to him working alongside several large companies, helping to develop products ranging from perfumes to kitty litter.

Chances are, you probably have something in your house right now that has Dr. Gilbert's noseprint on it somehow: air fresheners, candles, detergent, deodorant, soap, shampoo, or any other inanimate object that emits an odor.

And if you think all this nose stuff is too scientific to do you any good in your everyday life, consider this fact: nearly half of women polled in an online dating survey said the number one turn-off for them on a first date was the guy's body odor.

One quick fix, trim your armpits guys, as Dr. Gilbert points out that with less hair, there are less places and surface area for bacteria to hold, grow, and emit that dreadful B.O.

And while you're cleaning yourself up, check out Dr. Gilbert's latest venture with Gillette in helping develop the Gillette Odor Shield technology found in their latest products to keep you smelling better for longer.

If you'd like to learn more from the guy that can take all this science and translate it into fun and interesting, follow Dr. Gilbert's blog here: First Nerve

War paint. Perhaps, the only way a guy can relate to makeup. There are some women who wear so much makeup that it's really irritating… no matter how good looking the woman is!

But really, how much is enough?

And then there's the proverbial shopping spree with the boyfriend's or husband's credit card only to set off a tirade when the bills come around later. No wonder the men die earlier…

But no matter how irritating they are, don't we love them for who they are, and what we get for the "brownie points" collected?

Yet I can't help but feel attracted to women who are just 'natural' from the inside out and not just wearing  makeup that is prepared the natural way, or just no makeup at all! Some women are like that… Mmm!

Makeup – Regular Vs. Natural

Makeup falls under the broad term 'cosmetics' which is a billion-dollar industry (if not more) so that women can enhance their appearance or even smell great which they always do!

But up until now, no thought had been given to the synthetic ingredients that were used in a slew of makeup options that women have been grown used to for so long now.

While most cosmetic labels have been a bit too preoccupied with the colors released almost every month rather than worrying about the safety of their beauty products, a new stream of beauty products have been released that have substituted these synthetic ingredients with organic ones.

And there are very good reasons why…

Regular Makeup – Cause for concern?

There has been instances where regular makeup has given people cause for concern such as skin issues for women with sensitive skin, thanks to ingredients that stem from petroleum, parabens and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).

If that's not enough, dermatitis, skin irritation and allergies are some of the other issues that have cropped, thanks to the aforementioned ingredients that are being used to prepare regular makeup.

Perhaps the reason why these skin issues crop up stems from the fact that regular makeup clogs the pores of the skin leading to other complications i.e. gradual deterioration of the skin. And when a woman realizes this, it's not funny…

Another disadvantage of regular makeup is the fact that it runs when exposed to water, and this can be sadly very embarrassing, when on a date or in a public place.

So, don't you think it's time for a change, ladies?

Organic Makeup Benefits

Here are some organic makeup benefits that can really enhance the way you look, while also not giving another the impression that you are in need of attention:

#1: Safe

While the peacock (one of the most colorful birds you will find) looks amazing during the Indian monsoon, their makeup is but natural. Using organic makeup that is natural too ensures that you present yourself that way. Yes, it's natural and much much safer…

#2: Bye-bye to harmful chemicals

The aforementioned chemical are needed to preserve the makeup without which they would have a short shelf life. With organic makeup, these preservatives are eliminated completely…

#3: No embarrassing moments

One of the biggest advantages of organic makeup is that it won't run when exposed to water because it bonds with the skin in a much better fashion as opposed to regular makeup.

#4: Protection from sun's rays

Now this is awesome. Period. Fashion and functionality.

#5: Long shelf-life

Since the natural ingredients used last for a long time (as opposed to preservatives), there's no need for preservatives and most of all, are very easy on the pocket.

In Closing

While all these benefits are very pleasing, some of these natural products aren't that natural since some colors and binders that are used in regular makeup are used here as well.

If Bloom's Taxonomy, Merril's Component Display theory and Gagne's Nine Learning Events is what you're accustomed to discussing on a daily basis, you'll know where I have been for a while now.

Yes, they call that curriculum design, and it is both an art and a science in not only understanding how one learns but you also get to apply how one should ideally teach.

If there's anything that is true of people who work in a field such as this, it is the fact that they can get jolly stubborn about what they propose is spot on or not.

It was a word I looked for, and found in a Landmark Forum: pretentious… and the reason why I say this is due to the fact that everything in education is a work in progress.

And I mean, everything. There is no absolute theory, and if one has to be successful in a career such as this, you have to be able to combine a whole bunch of theories in writing good curriculum. In other words, it is an ongoing experiment…

Conditioning or Positive Reinforcement: Which is the right approach?

And since we're talking about matters of learning and experimentation, this bring to mind, the great man Ivan Pavlov and how he understood classical conditioning using dogs as the subject of his painful (read: cruel) experiments. Thank goodness, there were no animal rights organizations at that time!

However, when it comes to the training of dogs, the curriculum has changed from punishing the dog for doing something wrong to rewarding it whenever it obeys.

(They call it "positive reinforcement" in learning psychology lingo, regardless of whether this is learning for animals or humans. )

And yet again, the relationship between man and beast (read: man) and the effectiveness of teaching a dog the right skills depends on trust and mutual respect.

Alternatively, if you suppress a dog's instincts, it only results in viciousness and inadequate training and which will cause trouble for both owner and dog later on.

So, teaching a dog commands in a positive and non violent manner can only mean well… much like how this works like magic with adults too!

Basic Dog Training Tips

There are two types of training which spans anything from obedience training all the way to specialized training which involves protection of property, law enforcement and assisting disabled people.

Since we're dealing with the basics, there are six commands that are normally taught such as sit, down, heel, recall, stay and close. Yet there are four others that can be of special benefit to the owner, and ultimately for the dog in question.

1) Not to bite
In order to do this, you have to divert the dog's attention by tugging his leash and directing his attention to anything that interests him otherwise.

2) To fetch the newspaper
Throw a tennis ball while teaching the dog to get it for you, while being on a leash. If it's not on a leash, pretend to walk away after the dog has got the ball back.

3) Not to bark at visitors
Barking at visitors can seem threatening, so the trick is to teach it to 'sit' as soon as the doorbell rings.

4) Crate training puppies
Using a kennel crate is a fast and effective way to housebreak your dog, because they are less likely to pee or poop where they sleep.

In Closing

And trust me, just like the Father of Learning Psychology described his work, teaching your dog these basic actions is always a work in progress…

We're all obsessed about our hair: supermodels, actresses, health freaks, men in general, and in particular people who are struggling to keep whatever hair they have on their head.

This aspect of the human body gets so much attention because it's the first thing that we notice about person before finding him or her interesting enough to get down to the other delightful little details of his or her persona.

Well, if you watch the fashionistas of our generation, take Cheryl Cole for example who has been getting a lot of attention in the news for the three upcoming ads for Elnett that has been in the business for almost 50 years now.

And it's no surprise that we can now do away with the "Gentlemen prefer blondes" paradigm because now they come in a variety of shapes and sizes that you can only vaguely imagine.

Yet there's another twist to the entire thing about our obsession for hair due to the fact that hair loss is fast becoming one of the most difficult health issues to deal with.

Hair Loss

And just recently, the FDA has approved a new hair loss prevention robot that works with the sole purpose of bringing one's hair back follicles to life and is known as the Artas System.

And to avoid this situation, people often do too much to ensure that they will continue to have long hair for the rest of their lives. Yes, and this extends to even washing it almost every other day. And the reason for this is perhaps people are very conscious of the fact that the loss of hair indicates a loss of youth and beauty…

Yet this obsessive practice of washing can affect you in ways that will ultimately lead to hair loss, and here's why.

The Importance of Natural Oil in our Hair

They're called sebaceous glands and produce sebum, which is otherwise described as waxy/ oily matter whose function is to lubricate one's hair and skin, and prevent it from becoming dry and brittle due to dehydration.

Of course, if these glands produce excessive amounts of sebum, it becomes annoying, and thus washing your hair regularly becomes something that you will have to adopt in order to do so. Yes, experts will recommend that those with oily hair should wash their hair with a recommended shampoo more than once a week.

And for the rest of us with normal hair, doing the same is overkill, for lack of a better word as our hair requires these oils to be present in our hair. If you wash your hair more than once a week, you will end up washing away these oils and which won't work too well for your scalp in the long run.

But before you take this advice, seemingly set in stone, also take into consideration the kind of exposure your hair has on a daily basis such as if you work at a construction site or places that are not necessarily hair and cleanliness friendly.

In Closing

Mother Nature knows what's right for all of us, and sometimes this mindless obsession about taking care of our hair that can go to ridiculous amounts is indeed uncalled for.

So, to all of you who love using dyes and streaks a little more than is considered normal or even those who are compulsive enough to wash their hair way too much, it's better that you set clear limits henceforth.

Chafing Cream Is In Trouble

We'll save that one for last, because I know you can't stop reading until you find out exactly what that is and exactly what it does — to be continued…

Dry Your Pits

First up, something I use every day and only slightly more than butt powders: anti-perspirant.

The specific product name is Certain Dri Solid Anti-perspirant, with a bold claim of 72-hour excessive sweat protection.

I'm an avid instruction reader, so I caught the strong recommendation to apply this at night, rather than in the morning.

This gives the product more time to sit and activate.

After applying at night, I didn't have a drop of sweat until over 48 hours later. While it didn't quite make the 3-day mark, I'm also very active, and we had back-to-back days of over 100 degrees with the heat index, so I certainly can't complain.

My usual sweating is moderate to severe, so I'm definitely going to continue using the product to see if it keeps holding up this well.

Settle An Old Cold Sore Score

Next up was Lip Clear Lysine+ Cold Sore Treatment. Since my eating has been fairly clean lately, I actually haven't gotten a cold sore in a while, though I used to get them regularly.

Luckily (I guess?), my friend had one pop up just in the nick of time. She said she gets one every few months or so, and they are usually irritating, if not downright painful.

I really liked this product, because it's all-natural, so I had no problem recommending and convincing her to give it a try.

She said the relief was immediate, taking away the sore feeling, and the cold sore was completely gone in 3 days, compared to her usual cold sores which she said can last up to a week.

That's What I Call Eyeball Relief

The third product I tried was Rohto Redness Relief Eyedrops. I've never needed or used eyedrops, so again I passed this one off to a guinea pig.

This time it was my Dad, who is an avid eye-dropper. I gave him all three flavors and his mission to try them all.

After a week, while he didn't notice any major difference over the brand he already uses, they got the job done and worked just as well as his leading-brand Visine eyedrops.

They lasted just as long and were just as refreshing, so he's going to continue using these.

Chafing Cream, Watch Out!

Finally, the main event, the moment we've all been waiting for… What the heck is Anti Monkey Butt Powder?!

Believe it or not, it actually has several uses, from preventing chafing while biking and running to odor removal and absorbing sweat.

Right away I sprinkled some in my shoes, which I usually wash once a week. At the end of each week, they are completely raunchy, but after a week of using the AMBP, they were surprisingly still fresh.

Of course I still washed them anyway, because while the inside was cleaner than usual, my two dogs made sure the outside was still nice and nasty.

I also let my fiancee sprinkle some down her shorts before our bike ride, and she said it felt like silk in powder form, reducing friction completely.

"Silk in powder form" got my attention, so I had to sprinkle it on myself, and I have to say that's a pretty accurate description!

With the range of body parts this collection covers, I'm sure your armpits, lips, eyeballs, and/or butt would love to try these, plus you can finally get rid of that embarrassing chafing cream bottle, replacing it with the much more inconspicuous pink Anti Monkey Butt Powder.

Introduction

I always wondered why women took so long to put their makeup on (and in general, dress up) even if it isn't a special occasion. As exasperating as this was, and as tempting as it was to dish out that 'Oh these women!' look, somehow there was no point making a point as you can never win an argument with a woman, especially one you are dating. Maybe once in seven years but for some guys even that's too much…

Recently, I came across an article on the '10 Essential Makeup Tools that every woman must have', and my oh my… was it an eye-opener!!! No wonder women take so long… every detail, every cut, zit, bump, scratch, nick, cut has to be covered meticulously!

Now this obsession extends to the proverbial shopping stints at those freekin' makeup counters (and boutiques!) but it's only natural… huh? No, not the makeup, I mean…

Makeup – Regular Vs. Organic

Both these forms of makeup fall under the broader bracket of cosmetics which enhance one's appearance or the odor of one's body. And for sometime now, regular makeup has been used by women with its synthetic ingredients and a wide range of colors. However, the only difference between the two is the type of ingredients used of which the organic version is considered better for a slew of reasons.

Dangers of Regular Makeup

Selecting makeup that is not only safe but makes you look beautiful is trickier than navigating through a minefield set in the Amazon, as toxic ingredients based on petroleum, parabens and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) have been causing issues with women with sensitive skin.

Dermatitis, skin irritation and allergies are the effects that using makeup has caused over the years, while the synthetic fragrances also result in causing several allergies. Women with sensitive skin can have their skin break out if they're not careful which kind of product they use.

Apart from these allergies, one big disadvantage of using regular makeup is that it runs if your skin is exposed to water as it sits on your skin. Another interesting observation about traditional makeup is that it clogs one's pores, and we all know what that means for a women, if her skin deteriorates.

There is one more thing that can really annoying for some smart men (and I reiterate: smart) is the fact that some women just wear too much makeup. God, it's worse than wearing no makeup at all… trust me!

Being a guy myself, I think a woman who goes easy on her makeup and just enjoys being herself, is 'naturally' confident… and doesn't need to doll up on every blinking occasion to get some attention!

Benefits of Organic Makeup

Having never tried makeup myself, the first thing that I like about natural (or mineral) makeup is the fact that it doesn't make one look like one of those overdressed (and painfully inappropriate) women but just enough to enhance their looks… all the while, looking like themselves!

Secondly, regular makeup causes your skin to breakout because of the need to preserve the makeup using harmful chemicals. There's no such need for organic makeup as the makeup does not need these preservatives…

Thirdly, organic makeup bonds with the skin unlike regular makeup, so even if your face is exposed to water, it doesn't run… leaving you not having to worry about how you look.

Fourthly, Organic makeup offers protection from the sun's rays… and is that good news or what?

Finally, because of the lack of need for preservatives, organic makeup has a shelf-life of about two to three years. So, this is easy on the pocket as well… not that women spend very much, really.

In Closing

One thing that women who are taking the natural makeup route should check, is the list of ingredients on any makeup item they intend to purchase, especially ones that claim that it is '100% organic'. And the reason for this is companies add colors and binders that are used in regular makeup, and you want avoid that, both in the short and long-term.

And that should be all…