Help! Part Two: My dog has Separation Anxiety, and I Can’t Afford a Private Trainer!

Written By Jennifer Phillips

Three years have flown by since my initial post on seeking assistance when unable to afford a private trainer. A sincere thank you to everyone who helped make it one of my most popular posts!

The content from the first post remains valuable. However, over the past three years, I've had the pleasure of working with numerous dogs and owners, collecting data on best practices, and enhancing my expertise in enrichment, identifying underlying conditions, and overall holistic dog care. I still emphasize the importance of scrutinizing the content you consume and the trainer's credentials. This post now offers practical solutions to common queries and prevalent issues faced by my clients' dogs.

Welcome to Part Two!

This first one is my top recommendation…and it’s totally free…

LET YOUR DOG SNIFF

A significant part of your dog's perception of the world comes through their sense of smell. When you hurry your dog along without letting them sniff around, you prevent them from fully engaging and interacting with their surroundings. It can be quite frustrating for them!

Grab a long line and follow your dog along and watch them breathe in the world. If you like a challenge, sign up for a nosework class. Seriously, it’s yoga and meditation for dogs.

IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS YOUR DOG’S UNDERLYING CONDITIONS

I can’t stress this one enough. If your dog is suffering from:

  • Arthritis

  • Gastrointestinal issues

  • Allergies - skin, food, seasonal

  • Muscular/skeletal problems

  • Canine cognitive dysfunction

  • Seizures

  • Dental disease

  • Or ANY underlying condition that may be causing discomfort or pain…

Make sure these conditions are addressed, managed, resolved before starting any behavior modification plan. This can even be something as benign as full anal glands or overgrown toenails. No being performs at their best when they are feeling unwell. Heck, most of us can’t even start work until the first cup of coffee…our dogs are no different.

Based on my professional experience, trying a behavior modification program while your dog is dealing with underlying issues can result in either very slow progress or limited success.

If you need help with this, we offer Dynamic Dog Assessments to help your veterinary team pinpoint what may be going on with your dog.

MEET YOUR DOG’S SPECIES-SPECIFIC/INDIVIDUAL NEEDS

If your dog is feeling frustrated, stressed, or bored, they will show these emotions through their behavior, as emotions need an outlet:

  • Engaging in obsessive/compulsive behaviors

  • Pulling on the leash

  • Showing resource guarding tendencies

  • Displaying fearful, anxious, or stressed behaviors

  • Exhibiting destructive behaviors

And the list goes on and on...

  • So, what do these needs entail? Let's delve back into The Five Domains of Animal Welfare:

Species-specific needs fall into the category of behavior. For dogs, this includes:

  • Sniffing

  • Rolling

  • Chasing/stalking/pouncing

  • Digging

  • Chewing

  • And any other breed and/or individual needs (pointing, herding, flushing)

I once had a Boxer who enjoyed blowing bubbles in still water! My responsibility was to offer her safe and enjoyable activities to express her joy!

Find out what your dog’s passion is…and give them more of it!

Once I began drafting this post, I realized I could talk endlessly on this subject... so I'll conclude here before it becomes too long. Hopefully, I've provided you with some insights on the essential areas you should address when working with your dog before diving into a behavior modification program. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions at: jennifer@separtionanxietyspecialists.com

Jennifer Phillips
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