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Separation Anxiety
Dog Training

Separation Anxiety Dog Training Program

Develop your dog's confidence to feel safe when left alone

Separation related problems in family dogs are very common, and often go undiagnosed in our modern dog population.

Dogs are social animals after all. So feeling confident, safe and secure when left alone, does not come natural to them.

If you have noticed that your puppy or dog struggles when you go out of sight, or if you have received notes from your neighbours about your dog's continuous barking when left home alone, it's time to seek professional help.

Puppy at home sleeping under the table
Our dog Nero on a bench
Our doggo Nero

From early puppy isolation distress to the more severe forms of hereditary separation anxiety (a true phobia or fear of being alone), separation related problems can present themselves at various times, and at various intensities throughout your dog's life.

Our dog Nero, for example, experienced puppy isolation distress early on. And now, at the age of 6, his sensitivity to separation has reemerged, due to recent changes to his home environment and his daily routine (we moved house - a common trigger).

In all honesty, separation related problems are very challenging to work through and resolve. Therefore, many dog trainers and behaviourists shy away from these cases.

Having experienced how frustrating, isolating and emotionally draining it can be to share your life with a dog you love very much, but who suffers from these distressing separation related behaviours, I understand how difficult it can get, and what it might take to help your dog.

We can work in partnership with your veterinarian

As a pet parent of a dog with separation anxiety, you can get support from your veterinarian; who as a medical professional can certainly offer some relief in the form of pharmaceutical management options, by prescribing anti-anxiety medications for your dog.

However, medications on their own can not resolve this challenging behaviour issue. It actually takes a support network. A team of pet professionals, family members and friends, who can help you in your efforts to resolve your dog's separation related struggles.

And it is definitely worth trying. Because with this gradual exposure therapy, almost 70% of dog separation related cases do result in a dog who can be left home alone, in comfort.

Pricing

How does this work?

Phase 1

Phase 1 - Initial assessment, discuss management options, support network and technical set-up.

The first step is to perform an initial assessment of what your dog can do now.

Based on the background information you provide, and the behavioural observations during our initial consultation, I can determine your starting point. During this consultation we will also discuss support and management options.

A consultation with your veterinarian is always advised, in order to rule out, or identify and resolve, any medical issues which could be contributing to your dog's increased sensitivity to separation. This is also an opportunity to discuss the potential introduction of anti-anxiety medications, in order to support your dog's behaviour change program.

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Puppy at home alone sleeping
Puppy anxiously looking out the window
Phase 2

Phase 2 - Learning to identify your dog's body language tells and stress thresholds, in order to develop your dog's customised plan.

Together, we are going to journal, observe and review recordings of your dog's behaviour and body language, at different times of the day, and during different activities, in order to identify when your dog feels relaxed and comfortable, and when your dog starts to feel stressed.

This initial "detective work" is crucial to your success. Because, in order to develop and adjust your dog's daily plans, you will need to learn to identify your dog's subtle stress signals. This knowledge will help you to keep your dog under their threshold, during your separation practice exercises, so you can achieve progress.

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Puppy at home sitting on the bed
Phase 3

Phase 3 - Daily separation exercise plans, recording reviews, weekly online consultations to assess your dog's progress and to adjust plans, so you can achieve success.

Based on what we have learnt in phase 1 and 2, you can now start practising separation exercises with your dog, based on the advice and daily plans we created specifically for your dog's separation related behaviour.

You can share recordings for review, and we do a weekly catch-up consultation in order to practice together and discuss struggles and progress, and to adjust the daily plans , as needed.

Puppy at home calm on the bed
Support options

Optional - Selective progress evaluations and ongoing support options.

Due to the nature of dog separation related behaviour problems, and the fact that every dog is an individual, and every dog / human partnership is unique - it is not possible to provide a set time-frame, nor a guarantee, that your dog's separation struggles will be fully resolved during the course of this intensive, 12-week program.

However, if you have been able to follow the instructions of your dog's customised, daily training plan, you should notice a significant improvement in your dog's ability to feel safe and relaxed when separated. Considering these challenging behaviours impact your dog's welfare and health, as well as your wellbeing, I believe it is well worth it working through this struggle, in order to try and achieve lasting success.

Separation Anxiety Dog Training Pricing  
Assessment  
A$ 125

 

  Initial Assessment

Behavioural assessment
(45 min. Video Call )

Consultation recording

Management options

Basic separation exercise

Book Initial Assessment
FULL PAYMENT  
$ 1500
A$ 1250

 

  12-Week Program

Behavioural assessment
(45 min. Video Call )

Daily separation exercise plans

Weekly progress consultations
(30 min. Video Call )

Consultation recording

Review of practice recordings

Education on dog body language and effective dog behaviour modification

Discounted Single Payment
PAYMENT PLAN  
A$ 125  per week

 

  12-Week Program

Behavioural assessment
(45 min. Video Call )

Daily separation exercise plans

Weekly progress consultations
(30 min. Video Call )

Consultation recording

Review of practice recordings

Education on dog body language and effective dog behaviour modification

Weekly Payment Plan

Want to know more about our services?

Give us a call
on +61(0)423 623 302
to discuss our services.

OR
Email us about our services at [email protected].

OR
book a 30 minute phone consultation to discuss your specific puppy training question.

Photos on this page via Unsplash: Matthew Hamilton, Tim Foster, Bruno Emmanuelle Azsk, Brina Blum, Mark Zamora, Brooke Cagle, Roberto Nickson.

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