What is dog separation anxiety?

Dogs who suffer with separation anxiety cannot cope when left alone. The anxiety completely overwhelms the dog as panic sets in. Dogs with separation anxiety will display behaviors such as barking and howling, pacing, get destructive - especially at doors and windows, drooling and urinate and defecate when the owner is gone.

What causes dog separation anxiety?

There is most likely a genetic component to dog separation anxiety. Other factors may be a traumatic event, stress during developmental periods, changes to the dog's schedule or home, or the loss of their human or another pet in the home.

Can dog separation anxiety be cured.

In most cases separation anxiety can be resolved through training the dog to be able to cope with owner absences through a process called desensitization. In some cases anti-anxiety medication is needed along with training to be effective.

Will getting another dog fix my dog's separation anxiety?

Many dogs suffering from separation anxiety live in multi-dog households. Getting a second dog might help, but in most cases it doesn’t. Typically getting another dog will help if the separation anxiety was triggered by a loss of another household pet.

Do puppies grow out of separation anxiety?

Typically a puppy who is experiencing separation anxiety will not grow out of it, and it's more likely to get worse over time. Letting a puppy "cry it out" will not work if they truly are anxious. The sooner trainer can get started with a young puppy the better the outcome for resolving it.

Pricing and Packages

Dog training for separation anxiety

Sign up for a FREE 15 minute Zoom consultation and I will be able to give you additional information about the program to help you make the decision about if this is right for you!

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How do we fix it?

The method used for training for separation anxiety in dogs that DOES work is the same method used to treat human phobias.

It's called desensitization. To get your dog comfortable with being home alone, you need to gradually expose him to tiny amounts of home alone time.

But I've tried that already, and it didn't work!

You may have tried dog training with separation anxiety, but without knowing or following the rules of desensitization you may have done it incorrectly.

Desensitization is a precise method based on science. Follow the rules of this dog separation anxiety home alone training plan, and it will be successful.

My method is straightforward, science based, and it works!

Whether it is dog separation anxiety from one owner, or just that your dog cannot be home alone, I can help!

Dog Behavior Evaluation

All my separation anxiety dog training packages start with an initial consultation. This allows me to get a good case history on your dog, find out what you’ve already tried and any difficulties you may have had. I can also learn about your family’s routine and set-up of your home, which allows me to come up with a game plan.

During this consultation we’ll do a live dog behavior assessment to find out what your dog’s level of discomfort is with your leaving. It helps me determine if your dog truly has separation anxiety, or if it’s fear of missing out or frustration.

Dogs with separation anxiety symptoms vary in the way their separation anxiety case presents, so the consultation gives me the specific picture of your dog’s issue. All of this information allows me to make recommendations, and give me a starting point in creating a separation anxiety dog training plan.

After the consultation I will email a report with a written summary of our meeting, as well as a link to the video of the meeting. You’ll receive handouts about the training, as well as the first specific step-by-step absence training exercise created for your dog.

SA Pro Training App

Get your training plan right on the app! You can make notes about your dog’s behavior during the training steps, and indicate the success of the training exercise.

A graph of your dog’s progress will show you how far you’ve both come.
Seeing visual proof of your dog’s improvement is extremely encouraging!
- The app is also a great way to motivate you to schedule training into your routine. If social connections are important to you, the app can allows you to connect with other users to get support from families who know first-hand what you’re going through. And you’ll receive badges for hitting goals and for your dog’s achievements!

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Packages

Initial Consultation - $175.00

60-90 minute Zoom meeting to review your dog’s history

During the meeting I will:

Perform a live assessment of your dog during your absence
Give you body language pointers to help you accurately assess your dog
Provide a short written report of my findings
Give you recommendations for your next steps

If you choose to continue with a training package after the Initial Consultation, the payment amount for the Initial Consultation will be deducted from the package price.

Get started by filling out an intake form. This lets me get to know you and your dog before our first meeting! After the form is completed you will schedule your appointment and pay for services.

Intake Form

Five Week Package - $675.00

Behavior modification for separation anxiety seems easy in theory, but can be challenging in reality. Every dog is an individual, and the training plan may need to be tweaked for your dog's specific personality. This package lets me help you through all adjustments needed to give you the support needed for success!

While some professionals addressing canine separation anxiety limit communication to once a week, I prioritize daily check-ins with my clients through a training app to provide ongoing support, five days a week!

1) A 60-90 minute video call

You'll learn about separation anxiety and exactly what's going on with your dog.
You'll get my baseline assessment of your dog's separation anxiety to determine just how bad it is.
You'll learn about my methods and what you can do to get your dog over this.
You'll get my specific recommendations on what action to take to train your dog.
You'll get body language pointers to help you accurately assess your dog as you train.

2) One month free access to the Separation Anxiety App

I'll be at the other end of the app as you report on how each training exercise went. I will create tailored exercises 5 days a week for your dog to help get the best results!

3) Weekly 30 minute Zoom meetings to offer support and reassess your dog.

These regular check-ins will allow me to support you, address questions or concerns, and make sure we're on the right track!

4) Unlimited access to me during the week to ask questions or review.

During my business hours you can send questions or ask for advice. Daily video submission of training sessions is strongly encouraged so I can make sure you and your dog are on the right path! I'll respond within a few hours.

Get started by filling out an intake form. This lets me get to know you and your dog before our first meeting! After the form is completed, you will schedule your first appointment and pay for services.

Renewal packages ranging from $325.00 - 450.00 per month available after the end of the 5-week package.

Intake Form

Jumpstart Training Package -- $275.00

Do you feel confident in your separation anxiety training skills, but need help getting started and want occasional feedback? This is the package for you!

1) A one hour video call

You'll learn about separation anxiety and exactly what's going on with your dog
You'll get my baseline assessment of your dog's separation anxiety to determine just how bad it is
You'll learn about my methods and what you can do to get your dog over this
You'll get my specific recommendations on what action to take to train your dog
You'll get body language pointers to help you accurately assess your dog as you train

2) One month free access to the Separation Anxiety App

You don't have to worry about creating your own separation anxiety exercises, which is what most people find hardest when trying to work on this alone.

The app will do it all for you!

3) Submission of 2 videos up to ten minutes in length per week for my review

If you are unsure of what's going on send me a video and I'll advise you as to what the best next steps should be. While desensitization is a simple process, it isn't always easy.

4) Best of all you get peace of mind

...knowing that you're using a method that works and don't have to waste any time or money on things that don't.

Get started by filling out an intake form. This lets me get to know you and your dog before our first meeting! After the form is completed you will schedule your first appointment and pay for services.

Intake Form