Fear the door no more. Getting started on your separation anxiety journey.

If your dog suffers with separation anxiety, your exit door can represent so much more than just the barrier you walk through to leave your home. That door is likely your dog's biggest trigger. For them it represents panic and fear. For you, it can feel like you're torn. You know that opening it and walking through it causes your dog immense stress, but you have a life on the other side of the door!

The early stages of separation anxiety training often feel like the hardest for this reason. And that is why many people give up quite quickly. All of that effort to only achieve a few seconds? How will we ever get to an hour or more?

But this very early stage can actually be the most important part, after this things can start to feel easier. Here's why.

Those first few seconds of calm, signal that your dog is beginning to feel safe when alone. They're realising 'I was alone and I was OK'. This is a powerful part of their healing process. From this point, they're changing the narrative and creating a new memory. 'It was all OK'. Gradually the door starts to feel less scary.

But what about before and after you leave? What about all of the pre and post departure cues that your dog associates with you leaving? Things like picking up your keys, putting on shoes, the sound of you walking down the driveway, the sounds of the car wheels driving away...

This is why it's so important to not just consider the exit but the whole leaving experience. CSAT's have studied separation anxiety exclusively for months to be able to hold the title of Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer. We understand the complexities of separation anxiety and why all of the tips on google haven't helped your dog.

Why not book your free 30 minute call today?

You don't need to go it alone.

Let's take the first step together.

Written by Nicola Cook (VSPDT, CSAT)