When we think of behavior problems in dogs and finding solutions with training, people often think in terms of behaviorism. Behaviorism looks at a behavior and attempts to change it through reinforcement or punishment. Unfortunately, behavior is much more complex in dogs especially when the behavior displayed is rooted in anxiety.   If we think about the punishment/reward model for a condition like separation anxiety, we would be tasked with remotely rewarding the dog’s calm behavior when they are alone. Likewise, we would also need to correct or punish the dog for unwanted behaviors, lik ..read more

 It can feel really helpless when you’ve tried to help your dog to the best of your ability and they continue to get worse. Separation Anxiety is a tricky behavior to treat in dogs and there is no shortage of misinformation about it on the internet. Many of my clients have exhausted themselves with internet research, DIY programs and even seeking out help from other professional trainers without seeing improvement in their dog’s separation anxiety symptoms by the time they reach out to me. The truth is that Separation anxiety is a complicated issue and there could be a myriad of reasons w ..read more

Working with Separation Anxiety Separation Anxiety is a panic disorder in dogs. And with no shortage of misinformation out there on working with it, it can be tricky for owners to help their dogs. Fortunately, there is a solution for separation anxiety that is rooted in science that has been proven to result in good outcomes. Many people are familiar with the term desensitization. In psychology, Desensitization is a treatment or process that diminishes emotional responsiveness to a negative, aversive, or positive stimulus after repeated exposure. Practitioners have been using this method with ..read more

Ever wonder why so many trainers work with Separation Anxiety exclusively online? While it might seem counter-intuitive for a dog trainer to work virtually with their 4-legged student, the truth is virtual technology has given us the ability to streamline the way we approach working with Separation Anxiety. Dogs with Separation Anxiety are acutely aware of their environment. Anxiety produces vigilance, dogs are watching for safety cues or signals that the scary thing might be coming. When a trainer is called in to the home to help with a Separation Anxiety case they bring alone a BIG signal. T ..read more

Top 5 Separation Anxiety Myths   Separation Anxiety is a panic disorder in dogs where, when left alone, a dog experiences outsized and high levels of panic, stress and fear. Many trainers shy away from taking on Separation Anxiety cases due to a lack of understanding of how to effectively treat it. There is no lack of misinformation on how to help the Separation Anxiety dog on the internet, from friends and even from pet professionals. This can lead to dog guardians feeling hopeless and burnt out. The good news for guardians is that there is effective treatment for Separation Anxiety. &nb ..read more

These are our best tips for bringing home a new dog or puppy! Set your dog up for success and read our top 5 tips! 1.     Be a good manager! Dogs come with their own set of behaviors that are normal and natural. Some of these are unique to the individual and some just come along for the ride with the species. A lot of these behaviors make them wonderful pet companions: sociability, willingness to work and train, bonding, playfulness and being so darn cute. Other behaviors can be nuisances: barking, digging, scavenging, chewing, the list could go on ad finium. It’s up to yo ..read more

If you’re new to online dog training or skeptical about starting, read these reasons why you and your dog don’t want to miss out! 1.     Even more effective than in-person training! It may be hard to believe that online training classes and consults could be more effective than having the hands on help of a trainer. But we’ve heard many happy clients report that getting the training up and going without the trainer physically there helps eliminate relying too heavily on the trainer. 2.     Efficiency! Clients relying on the coaching and advice of the t ..read more

It’s important to keep your dog busy and their energy channeled into productive exercises! Try this fun activity on days at home with your dog! DIY dog agility courses are a great way for dogs to have fun while getting some exercise. This obstacle will test your dog's speed and work his joints and mu ..read more