Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast

Struggling with a dog who soils the house? Not sure whether it’s anxiety or a house training issue? . Well, if this is your dog, you don’t need me to tell you how frustrating it is. That’s why, in this episode I’m  joined by Kathleen McClure, a Certified SA Pro who also has a partcular focus on house training. Kathleen and I had a fascinating conversation about dogs who go in the house.  Here are 5 key takeaways:  1. What the difference is between house training issues related to anxiety and those that aren’t.   2. The importance of reinforcement and creating positive associations for desired behaviors, and why house training is no exception. 3. How to prevent future accidents and manage your dog's behavior to set them up for success.  4. How to change your dog's emotions and reduce fear if they only have accidents when you're away.  5. Why some dogs may avoid eliminating in front of their owners if they feel scared or unsafe. So, whether you're battling separation anxiety or struggling with house training, join me and Kathleen as we dive into expert strategies that will transform your dog's behavior.  To find out more about Kathleen and how she can help you, check out Kathleen's self-paced online course and one-on-one coaching to get the personalized support you need on your dog's journey to house training success. You can get more info at: https://thehappierdog.com. For information on how to work with me, click here. To get a copy of my bestselling book, click here.     

Imagine being able to send a letter to your past self, filled with wisdom and advice about the challenging road ahead with a dog who has separation anxiety. Today, I’m doing just that. I’ll share the 10 key lessons that I wish I knew 13 years ago, from the emotional ups and downs to the importance of ignoring opinions and seeking expert advice. For information on how I can help you, visit my website: julienaismith.com

In this episode, we're diving into a topic that many of you may have considered: can we ever really cure separation anxiety?  Is it possible to fully and finally get dogs over this condition such that they have a normal response to being left alone—a permanent change that we might describe as a cure? Well, join me as I look at what we really mean by separation anxiety recovery. I’ll explain why I think talk of curing or fixing is unhelpful. And I’ll explore the reality of recovery and ongoing management. I'll also discuss why the return of old fears doesn't mean recovery is unattainable. Whether you're dealing with a panicky dog or a FOMO-dog who fears missing out, this episode is packed with insights and strategies to help both you and your pup. So grab a seat, tune in, and let’s delve in what it really means to get a dog over separation anxiety.  For more information on how I can help you get a dog you can leave, visit julienaismith.com.  

If you’ve ever put off separation anxiety training, you are definitely not alone. Procrastination in training is such a common issue. Human brains are naturally inclined to seek immediate rewards, and a session of separation training definitely doesn't deliver that. It's all about long-term pay back. No wonder then, that it can be easy to put training off.  But there's a nifty hack I want to share with you, that will help you bust procrastination. It’s called the Two Minute Rule.  And no, it’s in no way related to how long food is safe on the floor after being dropped.  This rule is all about setting a 2-minute limit for a task. It might seem weird, but doing this surprisingly motivates us to continue beyond that short time limit.  And in this episode, we delve into the science behind procrastination, how the Two Minute Rule generates a sense of accomplishment, and how it can help you get started when you’d rather do anything else but separation anxiety training.  Remember, separation anxiety training isn't about instant gratification. It's a long-term investment for your dog’s wellbeing (and your wellbeing too!). Which is why I love the Two Minute Rule: it helps us manage our motivation for training sessions and conquer feelings of procrastination.  So, if you've been putting off training, tune in and discover the power of the Two Minute Rule to overcome your training hurdles. For more information on how separation anxiety training works, grab my free cheat sheet by clicking here.