When we think about a dog experiencing separation anxiety, we often picture what happens after the guardian walks out the door. We think about barking, pacing, watching the exit, or other signs that the dog is struggling with being alone. But for some dogs, the emotional experience begins well before the door closes. It may […]
When we create a separation anxiety training plan, we are making our best-informed guess about what the dog may be able to handle comfortably. We look at the information we already have. We consider previous sessions, body language, patterns, recent changes, and the dog’s current history of success. From there, we make a decision about
When people think about progress in separation anxiety training, they often think about the dog. They think about how long the dog can remain comfortable alone, whether the dog settles more easily, whether body language looks softer, or whether the training sessions are becoming more consistent over time. These are important pieces of information, and
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 »
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