Although separation anxiety training can be difficult, it is possible with a high success rate. At Dog Trainers Newport Beach, you can train your dog to overcome separation anxiety with the right methods, patience, and lots of time. This might be your first time trying to handle this alone. You should consider joining a facebook support group for dog separation anxiety.
Here are my top five tips for finding a good trainer.
- Take note
Dog training is a highly unregulated field. Anybody can be a dog trainer. No education is required or accreditation is required. This is why I warn you. This is your dog, your money and time. It’s your right to understand what you are signing up for. - Force-free is your choice
Although dog training is not regulated, trainers are increasingly adhering to certain standards of ethics. Dogs suffer greatly from being trained with pain, force, or punishment. We also know that force-free training is more effective than training with pain, force or punishment. If I say “know”, I mean that independent studies have consistently shown that force-free training is more effective. When working with anxious dogs, it is especially important to avoid using force. Separation anxiety dogs already face enough fear and fear-based training techniques won’t help. We are trying to make our anxious dogs feel more comfortable at home, not suppressing panicky feelings with cruel methods. - Choose a separation anxiety specialist trainer
Separation anxiety can be a complicated condition. Many trainers won’t even consider these cases. Even those who do, they may not be specialists. If you were bipolar, you wouldn’t be able to work with your family physician. If you are dealing with separation anxiety, it is important to not work with a generalist trainer. Your trainer should have handled many separation anxiety cases. Some of us only deal with separation anxiety. This means that we have experience with many different scenarios. This is crucial. A sign your trainer is aware of separation anxiety is the fact that they won’t visit your home. Separation anxiety trainers work remotely as we cannot see your dog when we are in the house. Video technology is used to evaluate the severity of anxiety in your dog. All training can be done remotely. It’s a red flag if your trainer isn’t available remotely. - Ask great questions
Before I became a dog trainer, I have hired dog trainers. Research shows that dog owners are less likely to compare prices when searching for trainers. It was me. Now that I understand the industry, I’d do things differently. These are the exact questions that I would ask.
What are your qualifications?
Which training methods are you using? This question can be answered only by gradual, systematic desensitization.
What are your experiences with other cases?
Are you available to visit my home?
Do you allow me to speak with clients about their achievements?
Is there a money-back guarantee?
- Trust your gut instinct
If you feel uneasy, uncomfortable or suspicious about anything, it is time to interview the next trainer. There are many great trainers. It’s not necessary to work with someone who isn’t up to the task. This should help you choose the right trainer. Visit my website to learn more about how you can work with me either one-on-one or in my group program online.
