April 18, 2023

Separation Anxiety and Suspending Absences

Terrie Hayward

Does your dog have separation anxiety?

Today I’m talking about separation anxiety. A common question that I get is about adjusting schedules while working through protocols.

anxious dog

Someone recently asked, “What if pet guardians don’t have the ability to adjust their schedules?” I wanted to go back for a minute and talk about the key to any behavior modification. The key is to sidestep continuing to put an animal into a situation where they practice the unwanted behavior.

In the case of separation anxiety, we want to avoid dogs being put into a scenario where they would rehearse all of the behaviors associated with fear, anxiety and stress of being left by themselves or without access to their person or people.

Again, from a practical standpoint, we want to avoid those rehearsals by suspending absences. To not do so is in many cases a little bit like shoveling sand against the tide or taking two steps forward and then three steps backwards.

A key component is to set everybody up for success by avoiding putting the dog in the situation where they would practice those unwanted behaviors while then choosing to work through an appropriate separation anxiety desensitization protocol.

Prefer to watch the “Separation Anxiety & Suspending Absences” video? See below.

 

April 16, 2023

How to Keep Your Dog From Counter Surfing

Terrie Hayward

Do you have a dog that likes to “counter surf” or jump up on the counter?

counter surfing dog

Today we’re going to talk about a problem that a lot of people have. It is called “counter surfing.” That’s when your dog decides to put their paws or their entire body up on your counter to try to gain access to something that they think is reinforcing.

So as with any behavior that we would like to modify, the very first step is that we want to try to set up the environment for success. And in the case of counter surfing, that means clearing off the counters or tables of anything that would be of interest to your dog.

So you want to make it easy for them to get it “right.” Then separately you would want to teach them some options for an incompatible or an alternative behavior. That might be something like settling on a mat.

You want to make that behavior so reinforcing that they wouldn’t even think about going near the counters because settling on a mat is so much better. And then we build a long and strong reinforcement history for that settle on a mat behavior or other incompatible or alternative option. Such that your dog doesn’t even consider going up to the counter and trying to get on it or to peek up and see what’s there.

Instead it’s their idea to automatically gravitate towards the alternative behavior, the settle on the mat, because you’ve made that behavior highly reinforcing.

Prefer to watch the “Stop Counter Surfing” video? See below.

March 13, 2023

Canine Separation Anxiety Course!

Terrie Hayward

Does your dog suffer from Separation Anxiety?

Nobody wants their pet to suffer and trying to figure out how to resolve your pup’s separation anxiety can feel overwhelming and frustrating. For a dog that is suffering from separation anxiety, it is like they are having a panic attack every time their family leaves them.

I’ve been working with clients for many years helping them to learn how to teach their dogs to feel more relaxed when home alone. Today I am happy to announce that I’m launching my separation anxiety course, and if you grab a copy right now, it’s discounted by 10% using the code: LAUNCH.

canine separation anxiety course

With instructional videos, a comprehensive discussion with a veterinarian, and client examples, you will gain a more comprehensive understanding of separation anxiety and the route to resolution.

I created this resource so that you don’t have to continue wondering what is going with your best friend. The course was developed by qualified professionals with appropriate credentials, certifications, experience, and education to help you and your dog overcome the struggles associated with separation anxiety.

Through the use of positive reinforcement, with a desensitization protocol, families can begin to lessen the anxiety and fear that their dog is experiencing.

You can enroll in the Separation Anxiety course with a special 10% launch discount by entering code: LAUNCH.

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