Separation Struggles
Successful separation anxiety training involves a personalized and proven systematic training program.
Our program helps your dog learn how to be safe during absences by breaking them up into tiny, manageable pieces they can handle. With gradual increases in the duration of absences, we help you ensure that your dog is always safe and never pushed too far.
Is your dog experiencing separation anxiety? Some common indicators of this panic disorder include:
-
Chewing and destructive behavior - Chewing and destructive behavior may indicate several problems, but if it only happens when the dog's owner is not present, separation anxiety should be considered.
-
Pacing - If a dog walks in a repetitive pattern when left alone, it may indicate separation anxiety issues.
-
Vocalizing - Continuous barking and howling, especially when left alone, may indicate separation anxiety.
-
Urinating and defecating - If your dog has a habit of urinating or defecating when you are not around, it could be a sign of separation anxiety. However, if they do the same in your presence, it may not be related to separation anxiety.
If you consistently notice any of these behaviors in your dog, it is likely that they are experiencing separation anxiety. Ignoring the issue can lead to it becoming worse over time, so it's important to address it as soon as possible. By doing so, the training process will be quicker and easier, and it will also improve the relationship between you and your pet.
We have made available additional informaiton on dog separation anxiety in the FAQ page.
Plan Details
Two Dads and a Dog offers virtual separation anxiety training sessions that are tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients. Our expert trainers are flexible and can use various popular video communication options such as Google Meet, Zoom, Facetime, or any other preferred platform. You can use your personal computer, tablet, or phone to connect with us, and our 30-minute virtual training sessions are designed to address specific behavioral issues, including separation anxiety.
In order to ensure consistent and effective progress, we ask for a minimum commitment of 4 weeks. Separation anxiety involves complex situations that predict your absence; therefore, treatment requires a gradual process to change your dog's emotions toward being alone. During these 3 weeks, we work closely with our clients in between live virtual weekly assessments.
Step 1: Baseline Assessment
During this 90-minute video session, you will leave your dog alone for a short period of time, which the trainer will monitor. This will help determine if your dog is suffering from separation anxiety and what their safety threshold is. Based on our observations, we will then discuss the next steps, including management techniques, suspending absences, whether a medication consultation with your vet is necessary, and answer any questions you may have.
If separation anxiety is not the issue, we can explore future training options, such as crate training, enrichment activities, and other behaviors that can help resolve the problem.
Step 2: Treatment
After conducting the initial assessment, we will analyze the baseline data and create a personalized treatment plan for your dog. The objective of this plan is to guide you on how to gradually increase the duration of your absence while keeping your dog within their tolerance level.
The program consists of the following components:
-
Daily session creation (5 days a week): We will create personalized training plans for your dog based on their personality and behavior. These plans will be broken down day by day to ensure the best possible results for you and your dog.
-
Daily support (5 days a week): Taking stock daily of what is working and what needs improvement is crucial. We will provide daily feedback, over text or email, to help customize the program according to your dog's specific needs.
-
Weekly live virtual assessment with you and your dog: While we will stay in touch daily, the weekly 30-minute assessment will allow us to dive deeper into any queries or concerns you may have.
-
Tracking of progress: Dogs are living creatures, and like humans, they may not progress in a linear fashion. There may be setbacks, but we take great care in monitoring their progress and assessing their performance on a daily and long-term basis.
-
A 90 days follow-up: We will schedule an additional virtual assessment 90 days after the previous one. During these 45-minute consultations, we will review your dog's progress and make any necessary adjustments to their treatment plan.
To schedule our 4-week desensitization package, please, schedule Treatment below.