put an end to separation anxiety - let me help you help your dog and regain your freedom.

how it works

When you sign up for Separation Anxiety Coaching with me, I will work with you one-on-one in a remote video setting to evaluate your dog and develop a custom behavior modification program. We will meet weekly for reviews and re-evaluation, but you will also have access to an app through which I will provide you with plan updates in between our video meetings. You will have access to me via email as well so that I may answer questions or concerns you have during the training process.

Note of importance - during the training process, it is very important that your dog not be left alone. Either working from home, having a pet sitter, or enrolling in daycare, finding an option so your dog does not have to be alone during training is imperative. This aspect will make or break the training. Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts or quick fixes to separation anxiety. See the FAQ below for more details on why this part of the program is so important.

The MEthod

The method I use to heal separation anxiety is completely backed by science and is the most modern, effective methodology we have today to help deal with fears, anxieties and phobias. The method is systematic desensitization through gradual exposure to owner-absences.

I create custom plans for your dog, each plan building upon the last, gradually increasing the time spent away from your dog. We do this all with the dog “under threshold” - that means without your dog getting scared, anxious, or exhibiting any of the problem behaviors associated with separation anxiety

program descriptions

6-Week Program: includes 6 weekly video sessions; weekly plan updates through the app so you can continue to progress in between video sessions; one email per week for questions, concerns, etc.

Cost: $1500.00 ($250 per week)

8-Week Program (most popular): includes 8 weekly video sessions; weekly plan updates through the app so you can continue to progress in between video sessions; 2 emails per week for questions, concerns, etc.

Cost: $1800 ($225 per week)

10-Week Program: includes 10 weekly video sessions; weekly plan updates through the app so you can continue to progress in between video sessions; unlimited emails for questions, concerns, etc.; plus an option to add on another 6 weeks for 25% off (that’s only $150 a week for the additional six weeks!!) with all the perks of the 10-Week Program.

Cost: $2000 ($200 per week) + option to add another 6 weeks for only $150 per week

FAq

What is separation anxiety?

How do I know if my dog has separation anxiety?

There are many behaviors your dog might exhibit that can indicate they have separation anxiety.  Whining, pacing, barking, excessive panting, salivating, destructive chewing and scratching sometimes to the point of self-injury, and similar behaviors are all indicative of separation anxiety when the context is being left alone by their human. A dog may exhibit only one of these behaviors, or all of them in extreme cases.  If your dog is showing any of these behaviors consistently upon your departure, most likely your dog has separation anxiety. 

 Generally speaking, it is one of those things where you “know it when you see it”.  It is obvious because it becomes a problem and a stressor for you and your dog when you try to leave them alone.

Did I cause my dog’s separation anxiety?

SA is now widely considered to have a genetic component, according to the most recent studies.  For instance, let’s consider two dogs raised in identical situations – one matures into a dog that is perfectly content being alone, while the other develops SA. Genetics influence behavior, but that doesn’t mean a dog is unable to learn new ways of coping and settling down upon being left alone.

You did not cause your dog to have SA by being too attentive or loving, not bossy enough, or too lenient. The truth is, we don’t yet fully understand why some dogs develop SA, while others do not. All dogs are social creatures and being left alone is not something they prefer.  But most dogs learn to cope without worrisome behaviors. For those that do develop SA, the good news is we have the understanding of how to help them learn to be content when their humans must leave for a time.  That’s where I come in!

Should I punish my dog or give less attention to stop separation anxiety?

Can you describe the method you use to treat separation anxiety?

Why are the sessions remote? Isn’t in-person better?

Initially, it might seem in-person sessions would be the wise choice, however, the protocol for treating separation anxiety is doing so remotely, and it is considered the most successful means of treatment.

As a trainer and behavior consultant with many years of experience, I am able to provide assessments and plans via remote video calls just as easily as in-person.  While every dog and human are unique, there are mostly similarities in behaviors and their treatments.  My job is to assess the dog as a unique client and then take standard protocols and adjust as needed to the individual. I can easily do this via video call.

 Second, dogs are contextual learners.  Any additional stimuli (things or people in the environment) can cause behavior changes.  If I enter your home and attempt to assess what happens when you leave your dog alone, yet I am present, I will get a false read on the dog. Maybe my being there would distract the dog; maybe they would be more anxious or less. The bottom line is that I won’t get as accurate a read on your dog as I would with video streaming.

 While adding video and my voice is an unpreventable addition to the environment, it typically does not impact our training sessions. I think you will find the remote video sessions very convenient, functional, and contributory to a great outcome.