What are Amy's clients saying?
"Amy was extremely patient and made sure to focus on what we needed help on the most. We can't thank Amy enough for giving us the tools and knowledge to understand and help our dog." - Megan
"Virtual meetings are so useful, because pup focuses on the humans & Amy is able to see her reaction in real time - without distractions." - Breé
"Thank you Amy!! I highly recommend going through her program! She gives you so much information and instruction! Amy knows what she is talking about when it comes to training and gives you insight into the psychology of why animals behave the way they do. She tailors the training to meet the individual needs of the dog and family! 5 STARS and HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!" - Ali
What is Separation Anxiety?
If your dog is experiencing Separation Anxiety, they have a fear of being left alone. Being alone is an aversive stimulus to them.
They will display physical changes, such as an increase in heart rate, increase in breath rate, sweating, adrenaline will flood to their muscles - their body is preparing for this emergency situation. They are in fight/flight mode.
Your dog may display various physical behaviors, such as running around, tail down, panting, whining, barking, urinating and defecating, attempts to dig or bite their way out of the situation, and other concerning behaviors which are expressions of their underlying fear.
"Just leave him, he's a dog, he'll learn." "He'll get over it." "Let him learn to deal."
These involuntary physiological changes are consequences of their being alone. They are not being stubborn, or annoying, having fun or being destructive just because. They do not just need to get used to it. They are having a panic attack from the situation they find themselves in.
You may see your dog trying to cope when they are first left alone, with displacement signals such as yawning, lip licking, shaking off, pacing, settling, then getting up again - if the situation continues and they are not able to cope and calm themselves down, they will tip over their threshold of capability - and they will be in what they consider an aversive situation.
(FOMO, or Fear of Missing Out, is real, and we use the same protocol to help your dog learn they actually can relax on their own)
Why is my dog experiencing Separation Anxiety?
We really don't know exactly why some dogs experience such a fear of being alone.
It is similar to human extreme fears of spiders, or flying, the dark, small caves, or heights, or any other number of irrational, yet very real fears that we have.
There may be a genetic component to Separation Anxiety. A past trauma may contribute, or past experiences. It is not critical to know the exact source, we may never know for your dog.
What is important to know is that there is help.
What type of help is available?
Our professional approach includes a training protocol, management, and potential communication with your veterinary professional. We will conduct a complete functional assessment to determine whether your dog is experiencing true Separation Anxiety, or whether there may be other sources of their concern, such as noise sensitivity, confinement sensitivity, general pain or anxiety concerns, or a combination of any of these.
Our training protocol includes teaching your dog how to use their coping skills wisely and effectively when they are left alone, so they learn it is OK to be alone. They will also learn trust that you will return.
We provide a methodical, data-based approach to solving the separation anxiety puzzle for your specific dog. Every dog is different, and you deserve support to find the right combination for your dog.
Our management protocol includes suspending absences during the training protocol. We will help you pull together your village of support, including friends, family, daycare, pet sitters, dog walkers, car rides, and other creative ideas to ensure that your dog is no longer put in the aversive situation of being alone, so the training protocol can take hold.
As appropriate, we will write a behavior report to provide to your veterinary professional, and communicate with them for behavior medication support.
Separation Anxiety Package
This package is designed specifically for dogs with isolation distress and includes:
Initial Absence Assessment (1 hour): During this assessment, your trainer determines if your dog is experiencing separation anxiety, and if so, what their initial time threshold is of being able to handle being alone; explains daily, weekly and monthly process, data collection, Pre/Post Departure Cue definitions, recommended equipment (cameras, stop watches), gathering your support village, more
Monthly support package (4 weeks of support) (can be renewed anytime):
First Absence exercise walk through and support (or Reassessment if renewed package)
3 Absence Reassessments, conducted weekly
Daily Absence exercise planning and review (5-6 planned per week with 1-2 days off)
Daily email coaching with Dr. Amy Blom
Investment: $1,020
Interested in learning more?
We are here to help. We will be with you throughout the training protocol, as your trainer, coach, cheerleader, and sounding board.
Can I do this myself?
I would like to research more and learn how to help my dog myself. Awesome! Here are the best available books detailing the protocol recommended by veterinary behaviorists.
Book - Malena DeMartini-Price (she created the CSAT Certified Separation Anxiety Trainers program):
FIRST CHOICE: 2020 Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Next Generation Treatment Protocols and Practices
2014 Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs
SECOND CHOICE: Book - Julie Naismith (CSAT): Be Right Back (there’s a wonderful facebook group guided by her also)
Book - Patricia McConnell, PhD: I’ll be home soon! (short and sweet)
Book - James O’Heare: Separation Distress and Dogs (all-out geekiness, wonderful for trainers as additional reference information)
PDF - American College of Veterinary Behaviorists: My Dog Cannot Be Left Alone
What if I need a little more assistance?
I need a little more assistance with the learning process, but would like to do most of this myself. We understand! This online course is extremely comprehensive, and will give you the tools, data collection process, and provide examples and case studies of how to conduct your own Separation Anxiety protocol. We have taken the course ourselves, and it is excellent!
Online - Moira Hechenleitner Vergara (CSAT): Online Separation Anxiety training, extremely in depth course designed for trainers and owners
Investment $325
I need more help - now what?
I would like the option of full coaching, daily support and weekly reassessment options to guide our progress, to ensure I’m helping my dog to the best of my ability. Wonderful! This is where we come in. We provide several options for ongoing support. Please see our Separation Anxiety Package information above.