Separation Anxiety in dogs: First Things First

There is a fine line between a dog having an acute case of separation anxiety and an acute case of boredom, especially for puppies. You need to make sure that your dog is getting an adequate amount of exercise before you leave it for a period of time. Consider a 15 to 20 minute walk, fetch session, or playtime as an absolute minimum. Beyond the puppy stage, most dogs will function and behave best with about and hour and a half of physical activity each day.

When you are away, also ensure your puppy has something to do chew toys, rawhide treats, or even their favorite slimy ball. If its at all possible, and your dog does not habitually bark or growl at passing people or dogs, give your dog a view so they can watch the world pass by when they cant be romping around in it.

You also need to rule out any sort of medical condition first; for example, a physical condition may be the main cause of the toilet accidents, and a neurological condition could be the real source of the anxiety, especially if it occurs at times outside of your absences.

Finally, you MUST puppy-proof your home. This means making sure all garbage containers are sealed off and inaccessible. Any food on your kitchen counter is cleared away (youd be surprised at how agile dogs can be when no one is watching). Any household items that are at risk should be put away.

There are items that you cant protect easily, such as doors and carpets. If you do return home to find these damaged, remember that they are repairable and replaceable. You should never punish your dog after the fact. They will not associate the punishment with the crime. And the fact that they may now also fear the one person theyre longing for, it will make their separation anxiety much much worse.

Martin Olliver is a proud member of the Kingdom of Pets team (http://kingdomofpets.com). For more great articles on dog training, including Separation Anxiety: some Solutions, visit: http://kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/articles/separation_anxiety_in_dogs.php.

Are You Ready for Start-up? Financing: 8 Cons & 5 Pros - From a South African Perspective

Almost every entrepreneur has a start-up financing horror story, how the banker giggled while reviewing the business plan. Because of experiences like these, entrepreneurs often assume that lenders and investors lack either money or good business sense to know a good deal when they see one. But the real reason that most entrepreneurs cannot get financing for their new business is they are just not ready for the money. In other words, if they received the money today, most entrepreneurs would spend it without any long term positive results. Being ready for start-up financing means having a plan for spending the money wisely and being able to prove to others that they will follow it. failing to convince potential lenders and investors that they can add value to their business using these peoples money is a surefire way to be rejected. Here are some of the reasons why entrepreneurs fail to get start-up money:

1. Poor communication: Refers to inadequate description of the business.

2. Insufficient sales and marketing strategies: Remember the old adage: " Nothing in business happens until someone sells something." Investors like to see about 30% of a business plan devoted to marketing and selling.

3. Ignoring the negatives: Every business venture faces threats and problems. Investors get nervous if an entrepreneur cannot explain them.

4. Over-emphasis on the product or service. A common tendency of entrepreneurs is to fall in love with their product or service concept. Spend time in selling the entire business concept.

5. No assumptions for financial projections.

6. Insufficient evidence of the market.

7. Failing to know how much money you need.

8. Failing to set yourself and your business apart from the rest.

What can you do to prove you are ready for the financing you need?

1. Your business plan must explain the business, not just the product or service and its competitive advantage.

2. Your business plan must show that you understand the power of the bottom-line, providing a way to pay back loans or produce an attractive return on investment.

3. You must have a clear strategy for marketing your product or service and know what it will cost to make or provide.

4. You must show exactly how you will use the money to meet your company's goals.

5. You must prove that the business concept will work, that customers will buy your goods or services, before looking for money.

Andrew Smit