Though separation anxiety is one of the most-researched behavior disorders in dogs, experts don't currently have concrete answers to give us about the root of an individual dog's diagnosis. This condition is very prevalent - it's estimated that up to 20% of dogs will develop separation anxiety in their lifetimes. It's likely that there are multiple factors that lead to the development of this disorder, including temperament, major life changes, past traumas, and even genetics. Some dogs appear to be simply predisposed to developing separation anxiety. I can tell you with confidence is that it is not your fault! You didn't "over-coddle" your dog into separation anxiety, sleeping in the bed with you won't make it worse, and you don't need to ignore your dog when you first get home.

As with other panic disorders, separation anxiety most commonly gets worse over time without proper treatment. Sadly, this is not a condition that tends to resolve itself over time.

When changing the way a dog feels about a phobia, we must go at their pace. We cannot convince them to gain comfort by rushing the process or pushing them to go faster than they're able. What we can do is create a structured, consistent plan that encourages frequent practice for optimized results, whatever that looks like for each individual dog. The timelines for resolution look very different from dog to dog; some cases can resolve in just a few weeks, while others will take months (sometimes more). An ethical trainer cannot offer guarantees for a quick resolution for separation anxiety. That's simply not how it works! What I can guarantee is that I will help you understand your dog, improve quality of life for your dog and your family, and that I'll be there for you every step of the way with expert program planning and compassionate and effective training methods!

Separation anxiety is a complex behavioral disorder. In the dog training world, these tend to be the types of cases that most trainers will avoid, or have not had successful experience with resolution. This is because great treatment requires a keen eye, expert program planning, close teamwork with the dog's guardians, and an understanding of data tracking and analysis. It's true that dog parents can absolutely make progress with separation anxiety without a trainer! However, this typically comes at the cost of wasted time, energy, unnecessary setbacks, and often money as the guardians attempt to hone in on their dog's treatment alone. There's a reason I chose to specialize in separation anxiety - the exceptional challenge makes it SO rewarding! There is no better feeling than helping a dog and family cross that finish line together.

It’s always best to start by having a discussion with your vet about your dog’s alone time behaviors. They may want to rule out other potential medical concerns before training begins! Your vet may also want to have a conversation with you regarding medical interventions as an adjunct to training. You may also schedule a Behavior Assessment without purchasing training packages. In an Assessment, your trainer can get a look at your dog's current behaviors, help you get set up for success with good management practices, strategize to help you leave your home safely, and discuss the finer points of separation anxiety and treatment. While an Assessment alone will not provide treatment for your dog, it's truly a great start! We recommend that you avoid leaving your dog for longer than they can tolerate until training begins. The sooner you begin treatment, the easier it will be to manage absences! To read up on separation anxiety treatment, I highly recommend leading expert Malena Demartini’s book, Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Next Generation Treatment Protocols and Practices. This wonderful resource describes the gold-standard method of treatment for separation anxiety dogs in depth. If you’re not quite ready to have a trainer join your team, you may still benefit from taking Malena DeMartini’s self-paced online course: Mission Possible.