By Bob Strauss

Let’s face it, men are dogs. If you ask your boyfriend, flat out, for suggestions about the best ways to start his pulse racing, you’re likely to wind up with a list that couldn’t be published in a naughty magazine, much less here. But don’t despair: Here are some less risque (and less risky) things you can do to get your fella’s undivided attention.

1. Cook something at his place
Sure, it’s easy enough to make dinner at yours but if you can conjure a romantic meal out of the decades-old pasta, canned spaghetti sauce, and three, count ‘em, three spices in your boyfriend’s kitchen, he’ll be your love slave forever.

2. Play some appropriate background music
If you know your man, you know (for better or worse) his musical tastes. Granted, “Whipping Post” by The Allman Brothers may not strike you as particularly romantic, but we’re not discussing your needs right now, are we?[$MSN.ARTICLE.CTALINKS$]3. Rent a DVD
There’s no need to visit that dark, curtained-off section of the video store with all the shuffling old men. Anything starring Angelina Jolie, Katie Holmes or (for the old-timers out there) Sharon Stone should do the trick.

4. Learn the ancient art of Shiatsu
I’m not sure what Shiatsu is, exactly, but any ancient massage technique has got to be worth learning. Just be sure to practice first, lest you inadvertently put your significant other in traction.

5. Bake
There’s no more powerful an aphrodisiac than a big pan of chocolate cake, fresh from the oven. Be sure to let your boyfriend lick out the bowl beforehand, to give him a taste of what’s to come.

6. Leave a message for him at work in your sexiest voice
After a morning spent dealing with pesky clients, demanding bosses and irritating coworkers, nothing turns a guy on like hearing the dulcet tones of his beloved. Do an extra-breathy job, and he might even take the afternoon off.

7. Put on some makeup — or take the makeup off
If you normally go au natural, you’ll be surprised how a little eyeliner and lipstick can send your guy into overdrive. Conversely, if you like to put on your face every morning, laying off the rouge and mascara for once may have a similar effect.

8. Buy him a really cool handheld gadget
No, that’s not what I meant, you dirty-minded thing, you. Guys are hard-wired to be turned on by picture phones, PDAs and portable video-game systems. It’s got something to do with geek endorphins.

9. Try a dab of exotic perfume
Somewhere, far away in the jungles of South America, a mad scientist is developing a scent so irresistible that it drives men frothing-at-the-mouth wild. Until it hits the market, see what you can find at your local cosmetics store.

10. Think of the sexiest thing you can wear — and then wear something even sexier.
This doesn’t really need an explanation, does it? Have fun!

Bob Strauss is a New York-based freelance writer and the author of Who Knew? Hundreds & Hundreds of Questions & Answers for Curious Minds. Email him your thoughts here.