Canine Separation Anxiety

WHEN A DOG CAN'T BE LEFT ALONE

The psychological effects of living with a dog with separation anxiety can be devastating as a dog's guardian is forced to accommodate their anxious dog by ensuring, one way or another, that they are never left alone.

But there is hope! Our simple, yet effective Behavior Modification Training (BMT) programs can help rehabilitate your dog and restore your life back to normal, much sooner than you may think! 

SYMPTOMS OF SEPARATION ANXIETY

Dogs suffering from separation anxiety panic when left alone and will often engage in a variety of nuisance behaviors that can cause you both emotional distress and material harm. 

PACING, WHINING, BARKING & HOWLING

Separation anxiety in dogs can take the form of prolonged pacing, whining, barking and howling that does not subside during their guardian's absence, often causing neighbors to complain, and sometimes leads to threats of eviction unless the behavior is resolved. 

DESTRUCTIVENESS WITHIN 20 MINUTES OF DEPARTURE

Destructive behaviors like gnawing on furniture or the framing around thresholds like doors and windows often accompanies this behavior, causing costly damage to your home or rental property and placing a strain on your relationship with your dog.

URINATION & DEFECATION WITHIN 20 MINUTES OF DEPARTURE

Dogs with this disorder will often lose their bladder and bowel control soon after their guardian leaves, usually within 20 minutes, due to the panic they experience when they are left alone.

How To Cure Separation Anxiety

CHANGE HOW YOUR DOG FEELS ABOUT BEING LEFT ALONE

Separation anxiety in dogs is resolved by changing their conditioned emotional response (CER) to being left alone. Using our training protocol,  a dog learns to self-soothe and settle down (instead of feeling mounting anxiety) while their human counterpart goes about their leaving routine. 

Dog Anxiety Levels: From Mild to Severe

The BMT program that is best for you and your dog depends on the level of separation anxiety your dog has reached.

The training can be broken down into three phases based on taking the charge out of a variety of environmental triggers while inducing and reinforcing calm responses from your dog.

• PHASE ONE - Indoor triggers
• PHASE TWO - Door Triggers
• PHASE THREE - Leaving for longer and longer time periods

Training needs to take place on a daily basis for optimal results and can be done for anywhere to 15-30 minutes before your departures. We will help you devise an executable plan that safely allows you to get your life with your dog back to normal.

Los Angeles dog trainer Alexandra Bassett is the owner of Dog Savvy, a dog training company based in Los Angeles that specializes in solving canine separation anxiety. If you have a dog that you suspect is suffering from separation anxiety, Alexandra offers free 30-minute phone consultations and provides in-home dog training to the greater Los Angeles metro area, as well as remote dog training services via Skype.