With the stresses of work, family schedules, finances and kids, most couples need the occasional break - a romantic retreat to rekindle their romance, invigorate their relationship and give them time to simply relax.

If you’re looking for the perfect romantic getaway that combines worry-free planning, all-inclusive budgeting and romantic sparkle, cruise travel is a great option.

To learn about how to book the best romantic cruise for you and your loved one - regardless of your cruise destination - keep reading for great tips on everything from what to look for in a cruise ship to how to get the best deals for your spouse.

Opt For a Cruise with an Age Limit

The last thing you want on your romantic getaway is to be surrounded by toddlers on their way to a puppet show at the children’s pool. So, book a cruise with an enforced age limit.

Most cruise lines offer cruises that restrict boarding to both individuals 25 and older or married individuals 21 and older. The bulk of these cruises are specifically targeted toward couples and will offer amenities like increased room service, couples’ massages, formal dining and couples’ activities.

If you’re unable to find a cruise with an age limit that’s right for you, most ships offer areas, including pools that are adults-only.

Stay Away From “Singles” Cruises

In contrast to couples’ cruises, some cruise lines offer cruise vacations that are specifically for single travelers or the ’spring break’ party crowd. Unless you want to spend your romantic getaway immersed in loud dance music and terrible pick up lines, you’re going to want to stay away from these options.

Pick a Boat Size That Works For You

A larger boat may have more passengers and a less intimate “feel,” but it also allows for greater anonymity while on-board ship and a larger range of facilities. When choosing a ship, think about what’s important for you in terms of privacy and boat size.

Get the Balcony

As tempting as it may be to book an inside cabin for a discount, know that the space is small and often windowless. If this cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime romantic treat, it’s time to splurge and opt for a cabin with a romantic balcony. When you’re watching the stars go by from bed, you’ll be thankful.

How to Get Great Couples’ Deals

Booking as a couple gives you an advantage. You can often look for “companion” rates that apply to either cabin bookings or air fare to your port. Many cruise lines and some air carriers offer a companion discount for couples traveling together.

Don’t forget to view our vibrant Travel Prints and Posters in our Travel Gallery.

Bathing The Dog.

The rules on how often you should bathe your dog are different from one dog to the next. Various breeds as well as various types of coats determine how often the dog should be given a bath.

For example, the Poodle should be bathed every four or six weeks. On the other hand, the Pointer can go three or four months between baths. Other breeds which have harsh long coats, such as the Pomeranian, Samoyed, and the Norwegian Elkhound require less frequent bathing because it tends to soften the coat. However, dogs that are kept in the house most of the time have to be bathed more frequently to keep them clean.

Bathing the dog is important in order to keep the coat and skin clean and healthy. The coat should always be brushed thoroughly before the bath. This will help to remove all dead hair and all mats from the coats of long-haired dogs.

The next step is to prepare the materials you are going to use before the bath. The following is a list of supplies you will need:

1. Shampoo (regular or special shampoos for conditioning, color, coat, etc.)

2. Bristle Brush

3. Sponge

4. Rubber Tub Mat

5. Two Thick Bath-size Towels

6. Chain and Choke (to secure dog)

7. Spray Hose

8. Cream Rinse (long-haired breeds with the exception of the Poodle and Terriers).

Always remember to secure your dog safely in the tub. A chain and choke is necessary for this, giving the dog about a foot and a half of slack. This will make sure that the dog cannot jump from the tub and injure himself.

Using a spray hose, wet the coat thoroughly with warm water. Next, apply the shampoo to the dog’s coat with a sponge, paying special attention to the ears, rectum area, and pads of the feet. These three areas are usually neglected by most groomers when bathing the dog.

A small bristle brush may be used to scrub the head, ears, pads of the feet, and other extremely dirty areas of the coat. When the coat is thoroughly soaped and scrubbed, rinse it with warm water.

When rinsing, place the thumb over the ear opening to keep water out of the ears. Also keep a hand over the eyes to prevent any soap from getting into them. Since every dog should have a double bath, repeat the soaping and rinsing process. On the last rinse be sure to get all of the soap out of the coat.

For the info about pets grooming and dog groomers visit these web pages.

Learn how to house train dog.

Don’t forget to browse our selection of dog prints and posters showcased in our extensive Dog Gallery.

Part of the thrill in planning a family vacation comes in imagining the seemingly endless options you may have available to make a fun trip. The world is simply filled with enjoyable travel packages that can take you to exciting lands. And one of your “can’t miss” choices is playing some of the great golf courses in Spain.

If you want to combine amazing prices with an incredible golf hotel, Spain is where you need to go. The service is at European levels, the grounds are incredible, the golf is even better and the prices are affordable.

The majority of golf hotels and resorts are centered in and around Costa Del Sol, home to famous courses like the Robert Trent Jones-designed Valderrama Golf Club.

But that’s not the only hot course in the region or the country. Costa del Sol is home to 36 courses alone and Spain itself offers hundreds of both public and private courses for you to enjoy. To find out more about the region and the best courses, keep reading.

Andalusia and Coast Line

Costa del Sol is located in Andalusia and it’s only a 50 minute flight from Madrid. Along this incredible coastline, there are piles of amazing courses. Aside from the golf though, you can enjoy beautiful Spanish towns, hike nearby hills or simply lie by the beach and relax.

Best Gold Courses in the Area

Valderrama isn’t just a difficult course - it’s also hard to obtain a tee time unless you have a lot of advance notice. If you can’t get into Valderamma, you may want to try one of the following other courses or resorts. The Golf Club Marbella was also designed by Robert Trent Jones and is located close by. The Real Club de Golf Las Brisas is historic and gorgeous. The Golf Torrequebrada is tortuous and a course for the truly adventurous.

Other Activities in the Area

Along the fabled coastline, now bursting with hotels, marinas and casinos, there are also many small harbors where boats can be chartered for fishing expeditions and water skiing. Yet if visitors have already found enough water on golf courses, they should consider other diversions, such as excursions to Grenada, Seville and small whitewashed towns in the Sierra Nevadas first settled by the Phoenicians and Romans centuries ago.

But no matter what your pleasure, whether it’s golf, a cultural adventure, or even a short ferry ride to Morocco from the port town of Algeciras - at day’s end, eat and drink heartily, because on the Costa del Sol, particularly at its many beachside restaurants, the no-frills cooking is pescadito sardines and small squid or calamaritos, usually roasted on spits and, best of all, served with famous sweet Malaga wines.

Places to Stay

If you’re looking for a golf hotel, Spain has numerous options. For luxury, try the Marbella Club Hotel. For variety, take in the Atalaya Park Golf Hotel and Resort. For a central location, opt for the La Cala Golf and Spa Resort. And if your heart is set on absolute luxury, try looking into the Fairplay Golf Hotel and Spa, a five star hotel with an award-winning course.

Don’t forget to check out our Golf Gallery for a great selection of golf posters and prints.

Dogs are considered very valuable by their owners. Over the years dogs have gone from being just a pet to being a member of the family. Of all the pets out there, the dog is the most popular.

One of the reasons for this is that dogs are trainable. By just knowing some hand signals for dog training you can give your pet the proper training. Dogs are very smart, well maybe with a few exceptions, but if you teach your dog some verbal and hand signals commands they can easily grasp your message.

Dogs are very good at reading body language; if you have any doubt on that, just think about how your dog reacts when you are upset. Because of their ability to read body language they can very easily learn hand signals in addition to the verbal commands.

You will find that there are several different approaches for dog training from using punishment techniques to a more positive, rewards based approach.

There still remain many schools of thought when it comes to dog training, and a great many veteran trainers will use a specific system that suits them as well as their customers. The current trend is a move towards more of a rewards based method.

Another factor is your dog, and its background. Is it a puppy, or a rescue dog with their inherent concerns? What is your desired outcome from training–basic obedience, as a pet for the family, show, tracking, or any other dog activities?

Once you have established your training goals and you have your dog’s personality in mind, make a list of all the local dog obedience schools information that you can find. Then check out their web pages. You can check with other dog owners to see if they have a good dog trainer. Also contact your local veterinarian or kennel for suggestions.

Trainers who use positive methods are your best bet. Always check references of the trainers. Some trainers do work with you and your dog in your home, however your dog will be missing out on important socialization. You may want to observe one of the beginner classes. Do not go if they use any harsh techniques, such as, choke collars.

When you new puppy is still young, you should enroll him in either a puppy kindergarten class or a play group. This is because early socialization is key for your puppy’s development. On the other hand, if your new dog is a rescue dog who has developed issues with aggression, you may need to hire a certified animal behaviorist to help you rather than just a dog trainer. Aggression in dogs is an issue never to be taken lightly. It is best to address it immediately.

Although there is a small percentage of dogs that will require a pinch collar for training purposes, a “Gentle Leader” head collar is often just as, if not more, effective for most dogs.

If your dog isn’t required for his first training session, don’t be shocked — it’s a good thing! Clicker training (or any positive training) needs a training session for owners so you learn to properly use the tools and to communicate effectively with your dog.

These are just some of the dog training success tips that you can apply when training your dog at home. As trainer, do not be discouraged at the first try of training your dog, instead have enough patience and believe that you can actually train your dog and in doing so, ended up with a bunch of savings.Click the link to know more on Dog Training Reviews

If you’d like to browse through some great posters and prints of dogs, then a visit to our Dogs Posters and Prints Gallery is a must.

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A fun family vacation is an opportunity many Americans take for granted - at least once a year. There are so many travel options available to us that it can actually be difficult to decide.

Certainly finances are a determining factor for many who simply seek a relaxing trip. However, there are an awful lot of golf enthusiasts who would also pay whatever it takes to find available tickets to the US Golf Open.

So if you’re planning to visit Farmingdale, NY for the 2009 US Open Golf Tournament, then keep reading for some travel and planning tips that will help your golf vacation go a bit smoother.

About the Golf Course

The next US Open is taking place at the Bethpage State Park, a facility known for its five world-class and public golf courses. The Open will be taking place at the Black Course, which also hosted the Open in 2002.

The park also offers tennis facilities, hiking trails, picnicking, biking and horseback riding.

Hotels and Accommodations in Farmingdale

Farmingdale is a small town and community. However, thanks to the popularity of the golf courses and the appeal of Bethpage State Park, there are a number of hotels within 10 to 50 miles of the resort.

The Marriott Courtyard Republic Airport Hotel

This Marriott hotel is the closest hotel to the US Open and serves both Farmingdale and Melville. The rooms are decent and the hotel offers a 24-hour fitness facility, free wireless Internet, and an outdoor patio and fire pit for guests. During the Open, the hotel will be operating shuttle services to and from the course.

The Long Island Hilton

Located in Melville, the Hilton Long Island is just a short drive from the US Open golf course in Farmingdale, NY. This is a full-service hotel offering an on-site restaurant, 24-hour room service, a fitness center, wireless Internet and numerous meeting facilities.

Sheraton Fourpoints at Plainview

Just a 20 to 25 minute drive from the Black Course and Farmingdale, the Sheraton Four Points is a new hotel in Plainview, New Jersey. The style is similar to a Holiday Inn Express and designed for the traveler on the go. There’s an on-site fitness center, free parking and golf shuttles during the Open.

Fun Stuff in Farmingdale

There’s more to do in Farmingdale than see the US Open. If you have a few extra days, try checking out the American Airpower Museum, take a drive to the Hamptons or visit AdventureLand. Adventureland is a family theme park that features 30 rides and attractions that are great for the kids.

Getting to Farmingdale, NY

There is an airport in Farmingdale, NY, but it’s small and not easily accessible unless you’re flying by private or corporate aircraft. Your best bet is the La Guardia airport which is roughly 30 miles or 40 minutes from Farmingdale, NY.

Scoring Tickets to the 2009 US Open

Unless you already have your tickets for the 2009 US Open golf tournament, you’ll have to go through a third-party seller. The PGA has already closed applications for its random drawings for tickets.

For outstanding Golf Prints and Posters showcasing the U.S. Open, see our U.S. Open Golf Gallery.

Is your precious 4-legged friend more of a deliquent than a well behaved pooch? Has training gone awry and you’re going more bald with each day? I assure you that your dog is not trying to be mean, vindictive, or even a deliquent by not following house training!

Wrong! The common misconception that your dog is trying to be vindictive and countermine your house training efforts by refusing to follow the rules is a complete myth.

Do you need some great deals on dog supplies and pet info

Dogs only have the capacity for simple, direct emotions, such as being happy, sad, or scared. Their minds are not capable of plotting ways to seek revenge for that swat on his rear, or how you scolded him an hour ago.

Get your dog some fancy dog dresses

So take a deep breath and acknowledge that some dogs do however make associations with past experiences. Perhaps your dog has associated something negative with going to the bathroom on the paper or going outside. Perhaps there is some sort of anxiety that is preventing them from doing what they need to do. Don’t forget, your dog by nature, wants to please you and it’s family!

In other words, lets say that you punish your dog for urinating on the front porch. If you continue to scold him for this behavior then eventually your dog will become fearful of using the bathroom outside. All he knows is that he is “outside”, not on the front porch. Your efforts will countermine your house training goals.

Here are some tips for helping with house training. Your dog is going to have accidents, so never punish or yell at your dog when he uses the bathroom inside the house. Most housetraining problems actually stem from owners who completely instill fear in their pets when they go potty on the floor. This creates enough trauma to completely unravel all your efforts into successfully training your dog.

The key is trying not to react. Instead, remove your dog from the room and take him outside in a very calm and relaxed manner. Be sure that he does not see you cleaning up his mess. Quietly clean the area and be sure to use an enzyme-containing house cleaner. Vinegar or liquid soap will do just fine as well. By completely removing all of the older, this helps reduce your dog’s need to urinate and mark the same spot over and over.

Tip: Avoid using ammonia because the smell is very similar to that of a dog’s urine and can stimulate him to pee in the same area.

When all else fails, schedule a visit with your veterinarian so that the doctor can do a complete health checkup of your dog to make sure that there is not a health-related reason for his inability to become house trained.

If your dog is still having problems, then it’s time to call in the professional and take your dog to the vet! There could be some underlying problem such as a sickness or disease or other health condition that might be hampering their ability to be house trained.

Even if you can’t keep a pet, you’ll love browsing through our delightful selection of Puppy Posters and Prints.