Home Alone Time - Separation Anxiety
What is Separation Anxiety?
Labrador at the window
It’s a panic attack. The dog cannot control it, plain and simple. They aren’t being spiteful nor are they bored. They have difficulty resting, relaxing or sleeping when left alone.
How is Separation Anxiety helped?
Using careful, gradual systematic desensitization, we will carefully hone your dog’s ability to be left alone safely and comfortably over time - providing you both some much needed relief.
Some of the symptoms include:
Vocalization, including barking, howling, whining or other sounds
Eliminating in the home
Destroying furniture, pillows, your door, or other items
Pacing
Panting
Escaping from crates/cages, sometimes injuring themselves, or ruining the crate
If any of these issues sound familiar, or your neighbors complain about your dog vocalizing for hours, your dog needs help.
This is distressing - not only to the dog being left alone, but also to the owner - dealing with complaints, the cost of repairs or replacing damaged property. Add to that, feeling ‘trapped’ by your dog…not able to leave without worrying. You’d like to have some freedom to go to the coffee shop or shopping, or have dinner with friends?
I would love to help you regain your time - or time out with friends, and help your dog gain confidence in being left alone.
How do we work with your dog?
Remotely, using a shared spreadsheet that contains missions, and via an online video meeting. This is especially effective in working with separation anxiety because your dog is not distracted by the presence of the trainer in your home. You stay home to do the training, exactly where it is needed, without using food, or toys, or puzzle toys left to ‘occupy’ the dog.
I’m interested! What’s involved?
We start with a 30-minute complimentary phone consultation - to discuss your goals, your dog’s behavior when left alone, and how the program works. Fill out the form with some basic information, then we will schedule the phone consult.
The next step is to schedule the Initial Assessment, which takes place over Zoom, after which we will discuss your dogs behavior, and set up the schedule for the month’s training and reassessments.
After the Initial Assessment, what’s needed from you is:
A commitment to work in 4-week blocks, to perform the training, which is necessary to establish a foundation for your dog to stay alone, and to not leave your dog alone during the training. (We will discuss solutions to not leaving your dog alone.)
Detailed notes on your dog’s behavior on the shared Mission sheet
What’s included?
Daily written customized missions 4 days each week (that’s 16 written missions)
Daily review and comments after each mission for you
A Weekly online meetings for video which include a live reassessment mission - this can take up to 60 minutes
The dog gets 2 days off from doing missions! They can be consecutive or not.
Video review of any of your daily missions as needed, if you provide them
16+ hours of my coaching, mission planning, and support each month
Motivation, compassion, and a listening ear to help keep your focus and commitment to your dog strong. In other words, you’ve got my total support for the entire time we work together!
Reviewing your goals on a regular basis - have they changed a bit? The same? What will help you?
What equipment is needed?
A computer, possibly a tablet, and definitely a smartphone - with cameras and connectivity - so you’ll have eyes on your dog when practicing the missions.
A Nestcam, Wyzecam (most recommended), Kasa, or other similar camera that has video, audio and an app you can set up on wifi, that makes it easy for you to view your dog during absences, and when I am engaged with the weekly reassessments.
A timer! Using a timer on your smartphone will work,, however a stopwatch is perfect. You’ll also be using your smartphone connected via the camera’s app, to view your dog when out of sight.
Program Costs: (the blue link takes you to signup)
Initial telephone consult only (complimentary!)
60-90 minute Initial Assessment over Zoom, to discuss your dog: $105
(if a second live assessment is necessary before the training missions begin, it’s included in the cost)4 weeks of training missions plus weekly reassessments: $550.00, after the Initial Assessment.
(link to sign up after the consult + initial assessment)
If you’re ready to start to begin, use this link to sign up for the Home Alone Training program!
How long will this take?
It depends on a number of factors. First and most importantly, it depends on the dog, who dictates how fast we can proceed the protocol. Sometimes there are plateaus, where it seems progress has stalled. Occasionally we see a setback (regression), and we need to take a step back and make it easier for the dog. Both of these scenarios are very common, and can be overcome!
While I can’t answer specifically how long it will take, I can say this: As long as we are considerate of the dog, and remember the dog dictates the speed of training, we can make progress.
Do-it-Yourself Separation Anxiety Training Program:
Want an alternative to working with someone? You can “go it alone” with Malena’s self-study separation anxiety course, “Mission Possible”. If you’re having trouble, I’m always happy to assist you!
Is there a guarantee?
Since I’m working with humans and dogs, there are too many variables to do so - such as not doing all the missions, illness (dog or human), etc. I can guarantee if the missions are not performed, progress will be non-existent or minimal at best.
Can my puppy have Separation Anxiety?
Howling Beagle Puppy….
It’s totally possible, and best to start on Home Alone Training while young. Letting them ‘cry it out’ isn’t fair. And you may quickly resent your puppy!
Use this link to fill out a quick form and schedule your complimentary 30 minute call!
If you’re ready to start after we chat, I’ll send you a link to sign up for the Home Alone Training program!
And this was mentioned above, but here it is again:
Do-it-Yourself Separation Anxiety Training Program:
Want an alternative to working with someone? You can “go it alone” with Malena’s self-study separation anxiety course, “Mission Possible”. If you’re having trouble, I’m always happy to assist you!
I look forward to chatting and working with you to help your dog!
