Are you uncertain about how the holiday season will impact your dog's separation anxiety? In this latest podcast episode, we address the common concerns and questions surrounding separation anxiety during this time of year. We're diving into the potential effects of holiday routines and we'll look at practical advice on whether to continue training during this period. Learn how to manage your dog's separation anxiety during holiday travels and get tips on what to expect if you take a break...

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...

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...

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,...

In today's episode, we're diving deep into the world of social media and its impact on our understanding of separation anxiety in dogs. We'll explore the myths, misconceptions, and misinformation that often circulate online, and how they can confuse and derail us when trying to help our pups.  From miracle cures to blaming owners for their dogs' anxiety, we'll debunk at the big social media myths, and I'll share what the real truth actually is. We'll also discuss the importance of being...

Ever wondered if all the separation anxiety training you do is actually worth it? Well, that very topic came up during a recent group coaching Zoom with my Separation Anxiety Heroes members. And it made me think: is separation anxiety training actually ever a waste of time? Well, I’m passionate that it is a worthwhile endeavor. Admittedly, while the gradual exposure method works for most dogs, there are some dogs that do not respond to this type of training and never recover from...

One of the hardest things I ever have to tell anyone is that to get their dog over separation anxiety, they need to find ways not to leave their dog in the meantime. It never goes down well. And I get that. I mean, when you get a dog the last thing you sign up for is not even being able to go out to get a pint of milk without your dog howling down the house. But the thing is, in order for the gold standard separation anxiety treatment (gradual exposure) to work, we have to stop dogs...

On this episode of Be Right Back! Separation Anxiety Podcast, I get to chat to the brilliant Dr. Karolina Westlund, a huge name in the world of animal behaviour. Our focus? The use of punitive approaches in dog training, and in particular the problems associated with punishment. Karolina has identified 20 major pitfalls linked to punishment (she says there are likely even more!), and, in our discussion, she highlights some of the key issues. If you like the science of animal behaviour,...

Join me in the latest episode of "Be Right Back! Separation Anxiety Podcast", where I explain the single most important lesson we can teach our dogs: that they are safe. In the episode, we also look at how to keep dogs safe, and why must prioritize our dog's emotional well-being above all else. We'll explore why the use of unethical, aversive training tools exploits a dog's need to be safe, and dissect why these tools can be so damaging.  We'll also dive into how understanding dog...

Planning a getaway and worried about how a routine change will impact your dog's separation anxiety, especially if you've been investing time in separation anxiety training? In this latest episode of Be Right Back! Separation Anxiety podcast, we dive into the world of routine changes, exploring the effects of going away and taking a break from training on our pups. Tune in to get my expert tips and strategies to help you and your dog navigate these changes with ease. Discover what to expect...

Join me for an inspiring and informative episode where I interview Jenni Pfafman and Amanda Dwyer. Jenni and Amanda are on the board of the Humane Alliance of Rescue Trainers (HART) a non-profit organization that connects shelter and rescue organizations with credentialed, professional trainers. HART's trainers donate their time to support variety of behaviour cases remotely. Their training advice provides crucial support for new adopters, increasing the chances of successful placements.  ...

On this episode of Be Right Back! Separation Anxiety Podcast, we're talking about training burnout. Following on from our discussion in the last episode when we considered what to do when you want to give up, in this episode we look at how to take the pressure off if you do want to keep pushing through. I'm going to share my 5 tips for making training feel less like a burden, less like your full-time job. And instead I show you how you can reset, so that you no longer dread training and...

Desensitization is the tried and trusted method for separation anxiety. But it’s true that it can take time. It's not the most fun training process. And it doesn't work for every dog.  So is it ever right to say you’ve given it your best shot and are giving up? Well, in this episode, I want to take you through 5 questions to help you make that decision. I don't want you to give up because I see over and over how powerful this method can be.  But if you're feeling like you're done, I do at...

Discovering that your dog has separation anxiety hits hard. One of the biggest emotions to deal with the remorse we feel for not knowing.  We beat ourselves up because we left a dog who couldn't be left. We berate ourselves for missing the signs that now seem so obvious. But, as natural as it is to feel bad about what we did when we didn't know better, we do need to let go. Hanging on to that guilt isn't good for us. And it's not good for our dog. That's why in this episode I'm sharing...

When you have a dog with separation anxiety, you do your best to find ways not to leave them. Daycare is an obvious solution. But the problem is, not every dog loves daycare, and not every daycare centre is right for dogs with separation anxiety. However, at a well run daycare, dogs of all ages and personalities can benefit, including dogs with separation anxiety. In this episode, I'm going to share my advice for what to look for in a great daycare. And I give you my tips for how to sniff...

Let’s face it, people who’ve never had a dog with separation anxiety can be smug! They tell us about their "perfect" dog who "never had any issues being left." And they quiz us about why we "still" can't leave our dog (accompanied by yet more eye rolling). Does this sound familiar? I'm guessing it might! If so, tune into this episode where I'll be sharing my top strategies to stop their smugness making you feeling like a failure. Links For a free guide on the 6 Mistakes to Avoid when...

Having a dog who can't be left is hard enough. But for some dogs, being around strange people or dogs is also a challenge. When this happens, it can feel like your options for managing alone-time are almost non-existent. In this podcast episode, I'm thrilled to be speaking with Jennifer Pratt. Jennifer is expert in both separation anxiety AND dogs who are fearful and agressive when out in the world. Jennifer shares her tips for working through this dilemma, using her insight not only from...

In this episode, we're not talking about separation anxiety. Instead we're looking at how to help a dog with different fears. Tune in to hear my interview with Simon Wooler. Simon has been working with Sophie the Romanian Rescue and her family, Rory Cellan-Jones and Diane Coyle. It's a wonderful, heartwarming story. Not only will you love Sophie and her humans, you'll love Simon's adivce for anyone working with a fearful dog.  *** About Simon Wooler Simon is a qualified trainer,...

Force-free training is kind, ethical, and highly effective. I'm passionate that it's the only way to train dogs. But I'm especially passionate that there is absolutely no other way to train dogs with separation anxiety. In the episode I explain Why you can't treat fear with fear How attempting to punish out anxiety is cruel, ineffective and risky, and Why coercive, harsh training methods can actually make a dog more anxious about being left. Tune in to find out more. For more information...

Gradually expose your dog to increasing amounts of alone time: That’s what I call the 'tight' rule of separation anxiety training. It applies universally to all dogs undergoing separation anxiety training.  But underneath that universal, tight rule, lie many different ways of applying training to each dog. Yes, it's that "it depends" factor you'll keep hearing about.  I’ve worked with so many dogs, that I’ve seen countless “it depends!” Overall, though, it comes back one simple question:...

By the time we get to February it can be easy to feel flat about all the good intentions we had in January, can't it? Maybe you set yourself goals to start separation anxiety training with your dog, but somehow never did. Or perhaps you got off to the races only to find life got in the way. If this sounds like you, then make sure to tune into this episode all about motivation. I'll be sharing my 7 top tips to help you get back into the training groove (or to get started if you...

We here a lot about "evidence" in dog training. But do we always know what we mean when we describe an approach as being "evidence-based"? And what about research and studies? We know these matter but we also know that there isn't a study for every single thing we do in dog training.  Sometimes that’s a problem. Sometimes it’s not. And in this episode I dive into what we mean by evidence-based, how prior probability plays a part, and where the burden of proof lies when making a claim...

I always say regressions can happen – but didn’t expect it to happen to Percy. Not after all these years! But in summer 2022, we discovered that Percy was struggling when we left. Percy, the dog who, we thought, had left home-alone anxiety behind him, was now barking when we were out.  In this episode, I dive into what exactly was going on. How it was such a relief when I worked it out. And what I did to get Percy back on track.