A Proven Training Method for Helping Dogs with Separation Anxiety
Imagine feeling utterly terrified—like facing your worst fear. That’s the experience of a dog with separation anxiety. To them, being left alone is as overwhelming as skydiving might be for someone who’s afraid of heights. It's a fear that can leave them trembling, hearts pounding, unable to cope. Many people reach out to me with one question: How can we help our dogs feel safe when they’re left home alone?
The Solution: Systematic Desensitization
The most effective method to help dogs overcome separation anxiety is through a process called systematic desensitization. Simply put, this involves gradually exposing dogs to small increments of alone time in a way that’s comfortable for them—ensuring each exposure is free from stress or fear. Over time, as the dog builds positive associations with alone time, we can gently extend the duration they spend alone.
The key to success here is respecting each dog’s unique pace. It’s crucial to let the dog’s comfort level lead the process. If we try to push too quickly, not only will the dog fail to make progress, but they may also experience setbacks. We track their comfort by observing their body language, using it to gauge the dog's “threshold”—the maximum amount of alone time they can handle without anxiety. By starting below this threshold, we help build confidence, showing them that being alone isn’t something to fear.
What if My Dog Can’t Tolerate Any Alone Time?
If your dog struggles with even the smallest amount of alone time, you’re not alone; this is actually quite common. For some dogs, simply grabbing the mail or stepping out briefly is too much. But don’t worry! If your dog can’t comfortably handle any alone time, we can start with steps that are even less triggering—such as standing a few feet from the door or touching the doorknob without leaving. We break each task into achievable steps, moving at your dog’s pace.
What if My Dog Gets Anxious Just Seeing Me Pick Up My Keys?
This is a frequent issue, and it’s where the “systematic” part of desensitization really comes into play. Beyond gradually introducing short periods of alone time, we work to reduce your dog’s sensitivity to pre-departure cues (PDQs), like picking up keys or putting on shoes, that signal you’re about to leave. At first, we remove these cues entirely, and then reintroduce them one at a time in a controlled way as your dog becomes more comfortable.
Support Every Step of the Way
If this process sounds overwhelming, we’re here to make it manageable. We’ll guide you in reading your dog’s body language to assess comfort, identify their threshold for alone time, and create daily training plans that tell you exactly what to do and for how long. Our training services include a shared Google workbook where we track exercises and progress together, making it easy to adjust the plan based on your feedback. Our goal is to take the guesswork out of this process, so you can focus on what matters most—helping your dog feel safe and secure when left alone.
With the right approach and support, you can help your dog overcome their separation anxiety and build a happier, calmer life for both of you.
For those who haven’t started their training journey yet, but are eager to dive deeper into our training approach or seek further insights into separation anxiety in dogs, I encourage you to explore our website, blog, or schedule a complimentary discovery call with our team. Together, we can work on helping you and your dog get your freedom back.
Everdog Training is located in Boston, MA, but accepts separation anxiety clients both nationwide and worldwide.
