Separation Anxiety
This behavior requires intensive time, resources, and sometimes requires drug therapy for success. For these reasons, I currently will accept separation anxiety cases only when a veterinarian is already involved in your case.
True separation anxiety can be very frustrating to live with. This is where a dog exhibits a series of behaviors that are linked to being separated from at least one person in the house. Some behaviors seen can be destruction, panting, pacing, chewing, scratching at doors and windows, repeated escape from crate or yard, housesoiling problems, vocalizations, and more. Just because your dog is showing some of these signs does not mean they have separation anxiety however. A professional can help determine what behaviors are happening in what environment. Your dog can not help that they are responding this way right now, and are behaving this way because of their attachment to you. Behavior modification can help greatly but depending on the severity of the behavior, we will need to work closely with your veterinarian for this problem.
Initial Consultation (60‑90 minutes) INCLUDES:
- Gather a thorough history
- Determine that it is distress that is linked to separation from a person in household
- Identify all behaviors that could be contributing to the anxiety that you are seeing
- Discuss the risks of the behaviors and the environment (destruction to property or injury to dog)
- Determine body language specific to your companion that means they are feeling anxious
- Classify triggers that elicit anxious behavior (or at least begin to create a list)
- Determine ways to manage your companion to prevent future anxiety until training can occur
- Identify "next steps" in order to move forward (i.e. buy training equipment or going to your veterinarian)
- Any additional notes or information needed will be sent by email or phone within 24 hours.
FURTHER TRAINING SESSIONS INCLUDE (60 minutes each):
- The initial consultation described above plus follow-up sessions. Sessions typically last 60 minutes once per week and at the end of the month we re-assess.
- Active training and conditioning based on plan that was established during consultation
- Visits may include one of my assistants
- Determine severity of behavior and use video taping to measure progress
- Further classify triggers and select some to begin conditioning exercises
- Initial focus is on building your dog's confidence and creating separation when you are home
- Establishing a way to relax in your presence, then building up to you leaving
- Flexible. Behavior changes and so will your goals. We will adjust the plan as needed
- Have patience! We are creating new pathways in the brain. This is similar to stopping smoking or losing weight. There are no quick fixes if you want long-term change.
- Determine the goals; so how will we know when your dog is getting better?
- Teach the dog to generalize the new behavior to a variety of people, places, and dogs.
- Includes unlimited email and phone follow‑up at no charge! Follow-up will be intensive.
- Requires close communication with your veterinarian (they are interested in the well being of your dog but also in case drug therapy is needed).
- Empower you to modify the behavior so you will not need my service anymore.
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**Fees for Separation Anxiety, click here and choose in-home consultations****
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If this sounds like what you are looking for, then I look forward to
talking with you and becoming an advocate for your dog! If you want to
schedule an appointment, you may call (888)798-9473 or email Heather
("Contact Heather" button on bar to left). We require that the following
history form is filled out before the first visit. It will take you
45-60 minutes to complete.