Regularly trimming your dog’s nails is an important aspect of grooming. Clip the nail in small increments until you see the quick, which is the blood vessel that runs through the nail. The quick will be easier to see with lighter nails. If your dog has dark nails, use more caution when you are clipping the nails.  If the nail starts to bleed, dab a small amount of styptic powder or baking soda on the nail. The bleeding will stop immediately. It is recommended to trim your dog’s nails about every two to three weeks. If you are uncomfortable with your dog's nails, your veterinarian or veterinary technician can do so. If you see a lot of buildup around your dog’s eyes, it will be necessary to clean and remove that buildup. When you clean the eyes, put a small amount of soap and warm water on a towel and gently dab around the eyes. Cocker Spaniels are very prone to getting ear infections and having lots of wax buildup in their ears. Ideally, you should clean his ears on a weekly basis. Consult with your veterinarian so that you know the proper technique for regularly cleaning your dog’s ears at home.  If the ears have a foul odor, an ear infection is likely. Your veterinarian will be able to determine the cause of the infection (eg, bacteria) and prescribe an ear drop solution that you can administer at home. If you see a lot of wax, you will need use an ear cleaning solution to remove the wax. There are over-the-counter ear cleaning products that you can purchase at your local pet store. Read and understand the directions carefully before cleaning your dog's ears on your own. In more serious cases of ear infection and wax buildup, your veterinarian can flush out your dog’s ears. To keep your dog’s teeth nice and clean, it is recommended to brush your dog’s teeth every other day. Your dog probably won’t be immediately comfortable with you brushing his teeth, so you can start with rubbing your finger along his teeth with something that he likes, such as peanut butter.  Gradually introduce him to the toothbrush and toothpaste. Be gentle when you brush his teeth, and do it in short intervals (about 5 minutes).  If you are having trouble with brushing your dog’s teeth, your veterinarian can teach you the proper technique.
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One-sentence summary -- Trim your dog’s nails. Clean around your dog’s eyes. Clean your dog’s ears. Brush your dog’s teeth.


Muscle weighs more than fat, so you'll gain weight as you build muscle. Get some strength training exercise at least twice a week. You can strength train at home by doing crunches, lunges, and squats. Lift weights, exercise with kettlebells and medicine balls, or use tubes.  If you belong to a gym, you can train on the weight machines. Sign up for a Pilates class. Take a class or watch an exercise video before embarking on a new form of exercise. Remember, stop if you are in pain. If something hurts, you are at risk of injury. Regular aerobic activity won't pack on the muscle as quickly as strength-training, but it will help you balance your workout routine.  Cardiovascular exercises strengthen your heart, improve or manage some chronic health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, and give you more stamina throughout the day.  Cardio exercises can include:  jogging or walking, biking, swimming or hiking. If you're performing aerobic exercises and are having trouble maintaining your weight, you may need to decrease the intensity, frequency, or duration of your aerobic exercises. Carbohydrates will help your stamina before you work out, while carbohydrates and protein together will help your muscles heal after you work out.  Get a small meal or a snack in at least an hour before exercising. If you have eaten a large meal, wait three to four hours before you exercise. Good post-exercise snacks might include peanut butter sandwiches, yogurt, and fruit, chocolate milk and crackers, or a smoothie with milk, yogurt, or whey protein. If you're having trouble finding a workout routine that works for you, a personal trainer can get you on track. They'll be able to guide you through specific exercises or routines that can help you add weight.  Check at a local gym for a trainer.  Many times you can see a trainer there and they may even offer a discounted consult for your first visit. Talk to your trainer about your weight and goals.  Tell them you're interested in healthy weight gain.
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One-sentence summary -- Build your muscles with strength training. Get aerobic exercise. Eat before and after your workout. See a personal trainer.


Just in case your teacher sees you and asks to bring the note up, have an extra note handy that is about something relating to class but not cheating. For example: "Is the project due on Thursday or Friday?" or "Did you understand the last chapter?"  Obviously, if you've already been called up you should have both notes handy and the hiding would be obvious.
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One-sentence summary -- Keep a spare note handy. Make sure the note looks similar to the original that the teacher has already seen or they'll know you switched it. Toss the note in a pocket, purse or back of a book with the fake note pretending that it was impulsive so no one will know.


When you’ve dated duds in the past, you probably found yourself compromising for what you’d accept from them. At first, it seems perfectly fine to overlook certain things they lacked, or make excuses for lackluster behavior. Stop doing this! If you want a better man, stop making excuses for them. Understand and remember what you really, truly, deeply want, and don’t accept less.  Note that this doesn’t mean you should reject any man who isn’t a billionaire with a supermodel face and an 8 pack. It means that you have every right to hold out for a man with a stable job, an active lifestyle, a generous spirit, and a sense of humor. It’s OK to be picky. There are millions of men in this world, and you can and will find someone who has everything you’re looking for, if they are realistic expectations. If you want a man who spends his time volunteering, you need to get involved with volunteering. If you really want a guy who shares your faith, you need to be attending religious or spiritual events. While falling in love can feel like magic, use logic to set yourself up to find it. Increase your odds of finding a great man by spending time where they do. If you are happily single and satisfied, you don’t need a man to complete you. When you don’t need a man, you won’t settle for just any man who comes along. By staying busy and following your own passions, you’ll naturally up your standards. You’ll only accept a man into your life that will add to it, not fill some sort of void. Don’t be so fiercely independent that you refuse to open yourself up to love. It’s important that you can be content and satisfied on your own, but be careful not to completely block yourself off from receiving love.
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One-sentence summary --
Decide your dating “non-negotiables,” and don’t waver. Make yourself available to the best kinds of men. Create your own independent, fulfilling life.