One of the first questions people ask me is:
And I completely understand why.
Living with a dog who struggles to be left alone can feel exhausting. Every trip to the supermarket requires planning. Social invitations become complicated. Even popping out to take the bins out can feel stressful.
When you're in the middle of it, you want to know when life will feel normal again.
The honest answer?
If your dog's separation anxiety training suddenly feels harder during hot weather, there's usually a reason for it.
A lot of dogs cope less well with alone time during heatwaves, even when they don't look obviously distressed by the heat itself.
This can be frustrating when things were progressing nicely and your dog suddenly seems more restless, more vigilant, or less able to settle when left alone.
Before you worry that you've done something wrong or that your training has stopped working, it's worth looking at what hot weather can do to a dog's body and nervous system.
Did you know that where you start your dog's separation anxiety training can make all the difference?
Your and your dog's break area is their calm place — the spot where absence training begins and where they remain settled, or go back to, throughout each training exercise.
Getting this setup right helps your dog feel more secure and sets the foundation for a smoother training journey.
Phantom pregnancy, also known as pseudopregnancy or false pregnancy, is a condition where an intact female dog exhibits signs of pregnancy despite not being pregnant.
This phenomenon is primarily due to hormonal fluctuations and understanding how a phantom pregnancy can impact a dog's behaviour, especially concerning separation anxiety, is crucial for effective training and overall well-being.
Separation anxiety in dogs can be challenging, affecting not only your dog’s happiness but also your daily life.
💔 If your dog becomes distressed when left alone, barking, whining, or becoming destructive, you’re not alone. Many dog owners face this issue, and it can be heartbreaking to see your pet struggle.
It's that time of year (for most of us). The summer holidays are coming to an end and we're back to the grindstone. Our dogs, meanwhile, have gotten used to having us around 24/7 and are now faced with home alone time…and some of them might be struggling with this.
Here are some tips to help your furry friend adjust
Very excited to announce that we have won another Award 🎉🎉🎉🎉
🐾 'Best Canine Behaviour Consultant 2024 (Southern Sweden)' at the Scandinavian Business Awards.
🙏 A massive thanks to all my wonderful clients who’ve taken the time and have left me great testimonials which hugely impacted on the judging panel’s decision.
🐕 And the biggest thanks to the one and only, Miss Wolfgang. This one is yours my little golden nugget ❤️
Nope, it doesn’t.
There’s zero evidence.
BUT…
if your dog is hyper-attached to you, being around you 24/7 isn’t helping them to develop the coping skills for being home alone, eventually.
HOLD YOUR HORSES…
do not go crazy now and banish your anxious dog from your bedroom tonight. Everything has to be done gradually and gently.
If you need help, we are here xx
Well…firstly, you can never have enough dogs, obviously….in my opinion.
But on a more serious note; it depends, of course, but usually it actually won’t help and here are a couple of things to consider:
Your dog’s anxiety comes from being separated from you, the human, not just from being home alone. So while another dog might make your dog less lonely, it’s not likely to cure your dog’s anxiety when you’re away.
Also your current dog’s anxiety when you are not around may rub off on your second dog and then you have a double-trouble kind of situation.
So, I’m definitely all for getting a second, third, fourth dog, but do it for the right reasons, prepare yourself accordingly and enjoy your furry family.
The most likely explanation might just be that you were much more careful about leaving your puppy alone in the car, than about leaving them at home.
You’ve probably started with quickly getting petrol, while your pup waited for you in the car. With you in view, just a few moments, all felt safe for your little friend. Then a quick dash into a shop here and there, leaving it a little longer every time.
So they’ve gradually got used to being in the car on their own. And there have never been any scary absences.
It’s a predictable and therefore a safe routine for them.
And here’s the great news; if your dog got used to being alone in the car via using the method of gradual exposure, the same method we are using to get them to be ok with being home alone, they can also learn just that 💪❤️🐕
Avoid merely waiting for the clock to tick away, meaning don’t just step out and watch until your dog can’t hold it together any longer and take that as your baseline for your training plan. Instead, ensure your dog has an enjoyable experiences while alone at home through observing your dog closely and ensuring you spot the small stress signals - gradually shifting their emotional response from fear to confidence. It's crucial to provide opportunities for your dog to have fun without stress during solo time.
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