Why your Separation Anxiety training is failing (and how to fix it)

If you feel as though you're continually trying and failing to help your dog overcome their Separation Anxiety, you’re not alone. Almost every dog guardian I have helped has initially come to me feeling as though they have tried absolutely everything.

With so much misinformation out there on Separation Anxiety, it’s no surprise that you might be feeling frustrated, isolated and a little bit hopeless. The good news is that there are some fairly common reasons why your efforts might be failing, and some simple fixes that will level up your training.

The Problem: You're using food during your training sessions.

Despite being recommended all the time for Separation Anxiety, Kongs, Lick Mats and other types of food toy cannot and will not change how your dog feels about being alone. They might distract your dog or mask the symptoms of their anxiety temporarily, but when the food runs out and the panic will set in. And many dogs are so anxious that they can't even think about eating whilst alone, ignoring the food toys until their guardian returns.

The Fix: Ditch the food toys.

In order for your dog to learn effectively, they must be fully aware of you coming and going throughout your training exercises. This means you need to ditch the food toys or chews that are distracting your dog during your exercises. Instead, practice leaving your dog alone at a time when they are relaxed and settled, but not distracted.

The Problem: Your dog is anxious during training sessions.

Successful Separation Anxiety training revolves around giving your dog positive experiences of being alone. If your dog is anxious during your sessions, you are only proving to them that they are right and alone time is scary. In order to progress, it's important that you only leave your dog alone for as long as they are comfortable with, and progress at their pace. Sometimes the signs of anxiety are really subtle - don’t assume that just because your dog is quiet, this means that they are relaxed.

The Fix: Become an expert in your dog's body language.

By learning to read your dog’s subtle behaviours and body language, you’ll become more efficient at spotting the early signs of anxiety and prevent them from having any negative experiences of being alone. This is something I really focus on teaching my clients during their 121 Separation Anxiety Training Programmes, to ensure they are set up for long term success with their training.

The Problem: You don't have a training plan.

Successful Separation Anxiety revolves around providing your dog safe experiences of alone time, whilst avoiding any negative exposure. By not having a training plan, you are much more likely to ‘run the clock’ and wait for your dog to become anxious before you return. This defeats the purpose of your session, and will leave you going round in circles and feeling stuck.

The Fix: Have a plan for every training session.

Ensure that you have a gradual exposure training plan in place, and that you stick to this plan with absolutely no deviations. Your training plan should be structured in a way that sets your dog up for positive experiences of alone time, and gradually increases the duration at your dog's individual pace. All of my 121 Training clients receive personalised training plans, which are updated session-by-session as their dog progresses. All of you have to do is complete the steps with your dog, and I'll do the rest.

If you're struggling with your dog's Separation Anxiety, I'd love to help. Book your Free Enquiry Call today to find out more about my 121 Separation Anxiety Training Programmes and take the first step to regaining your freedom and helping your dog to be happy home alone.