Why separation anxiety training asks so much of guardians, even outside the training sessions. When people talk about separation anxiety training, they often focus on the training sessions themselves. The departures, the returns, the video review, the duration, the data, the careful decisions about what to try next. But for many guardians, some of the […]
When people think about separation anxiety training, they often think about the moments when they are actively practicing alone time with their dog. They think about the departures, the returns, the video review, the body language, the duration, and the careful decisions about what to try next. And of course, all of that matters. But
Your Support System Is Part of the Training Plan Read More »
In my previous blog, I wrote about the importance of gathering enough information to make the next thoughtful decision. We do not need to know exactly what will happen before we move forward, but we do want to pay attention to patterns, observe our dogs carefully, and allow what we are seeing to guide us.
Why repetition is one of the most powerful parts of separation anxiety training One of the questions I hear most often from guardians is some version of this: “If my dog was comfortable for five minutes yesterday, why would I not try six minutes today? Why not move forward?” It is a very reasonable question.
Most of us feel better when we know what to expect. We like plans. We like timelines. We like having a sense of where we are headed and how we will know when we get there. Even when a situation is difficult, there can be comfort in believing that we understand what comes next. Uncertainty
Learning to adjust thoughtfully during separation anxiety training The Plan We Imagine When people begin working through separation anxiety with their dog, it is very natural to imagine the process unfolding in a fairly straightforward way. We often picture a gradual path forward, with small increases in alone time and steady progress from week to
When I first began separation anxiety training, success had a number attached to it. Through countless conversations with other guardians of dogs struggling with separation anxiety, I have learned that this is true for most people: thirty minutes, two hours, a workday, a vacation, a return to “normal life.” And that makes sense. When you
What Separation Anxiety Taught Me About Love, Trust, and Progress Read More »
It’s quiet for a moment.
Not the kind of quiet that feels tense.
The kind that feels… settled.
On the screen, a dog is resting on their bed. Their body soft, their breathing steady. Nothing urgent. Nothing pressing.
In my previous blog, I talked about the range where a dog feels comfortable during alone time, and how learning to recognize that range can guide our training decisions. Once we begin working within that space, something else often becomes apparent. Progress can look slow. This can feel surprising, and sometimes even discouraging, especially when
Why Progress in Separation Anxiety Often Looks Slow Read More »
In my previous blogs, I talked about the quiet signals dogs show during alone time and how those signals can help us understand what a dog is experiencing. Once you begin to notice and listen to those patterns, something important starts to come into focus. There is a range where a dog feels comfortable being
Get all the latest news, updates, and offers for dog professionals.
