Out of the Woods Dog Training & Behaviour

14/07/2024

Great to meet Kerry again this year at P in the Park Events - best separation anxiety specialist I know

15/05/2024

Simple, kind and effective 🙌🏻

If you’re struggling with your dog’s Separation Anxiety, you quite rightly to want to resolve it as quickly as you can. You’ve probably Google searched solutions and tried all the quick fixes you can, but nothing seems to work for your dog.

You’re starting to wonder if it’s a lost cause…

The truth is, there are no quick fixes to Separation Anxiety. But there is a way you can help your dog feel better, it just takes time.

If you’re looking for simple, step-by-step training for your dog’s Separation Anxiety then my 121 Training Programmes might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Comment or DM me ‘Home Alone’ to find out more and book your free enquiry call today 💻 🌍 🐾

03/04/2024

Admitted defeat with your dog’s Separation Anxiety? You’re not alone ❤️‍🩹

It’s easy to feel as though your dog’s Separation Anxiety is a lost cause. You might feel like you’ve already tried everything, and there is nothing out there that can possibly help 🤷🏻‍♀️

Maybe you’ve even worked with a dog trainer before, but nothing they’ve suggested has worked.

But if you are struggling to see progress with your dog’s Separation Anxiety, and you relate to any of the points in this post then I’ve got some good news for you…

✨ There is a solution ✨

Stop struggling alone and blaming yourself, let’s work together 👋🏻

If you’re ready to conquer your dog’s Separation Anxiety and regain your freedom using a simple, step-by-step, evidence based approach then comment or DM me ‘Home Alone’ to start your journey to home alone success 🏡

07/03/2024

From one minute, to over 45 minutes in just a few months 🙌🏻

Couldn’t be more proud of this team and their Separation Anxiety progress 🎉

You might be thinking that this progress isn’t achievable for you and your dog…

But with the right approach, anything is possible.

If you’re ready to conquer your dog’s Separation Anxiety and regain your freedom, comment or DM me ‘Home Alone’ to start your journey to home alone success 👩🏻‍💻🌎

14/02/2024

Spoiler alert: It didn’t.

As a Separation Anxiety dog guardian, you’re probably used to receiving unsolicited advice from (well-meaning) friends, family members, neighbours and even strangers.

And one thing I can guarantee you’ve been told is to let your dog ‘cry it out’. You’ve probably even met someone who says, first hand, that it worked for their dog 🤷🏻‍♀️

I’m not saying the ‘cry it out’ method never works to change a dog’s behaviour. Although it is rare, there are cases where the ‘cry it out’ method does reduce or eliminate some of the symptoms of Separation Anxiety (most commonly, vocalisation).

🤯 But for all the wrong reasons.

Separation Anxiety is a phobia of being left alone. And in order to overcome this phobia, we need to find a way to teach our dogs that being alone is nothing scary.

But all the ‘cry it out’ method does is teach our dog that their behaviour doesn’t help them in this scary situation.

They are still just as afraid as they always were. But why continue to waste vital energy, when they have no control over the situation anyway?

Instead of seeing a dog who is calm and relaxed about being alone, we see a dog who is scared but shut down and helpless 😣

Not only is this a huge welfare concern, but it comes with a huge risk that their ‘problematic behaviours’ will arise again in the future.

💡So what can we do to change how our dogs feel about being alone?

✋🏻suspending over-threshold absences
⏰ sub-threshold exposure to alone time
📈a systematic training plan

This is the method that will truly change how your dog feels about alone time, for good ❤️‍🩹

If you’re struggling with Separation Anxiety and would like step-by-step support, comment ‘Home Alone’ below to book your free enquiry call and find out more our 121 Training Programmes 💻 🌎

30/01/2024

It’s not what you think. Despite what you might have been told, your dog’s Separation Anxiety was NOT caused by:

😴 Sleeping in your bed
😘 Giving them too much attention
💻 Working from home
🏠 Not crate training

So what did cause it?

Separation Anxiety is a fear-based condition, influneced by:

➡️ Genetics
➡️ Pre-natal stress
➡️ Very early life experience

Things that you have little to no control over.

Stop blaming yourself, and focus on what you can do to help your dog feel happier home alone.

And I’m here to help 🙋🏻‍♀️ Comment ‘Home Alone’ to find out more about my 121 Training Programmes and book your free enquiry call.

My programmes are completely remote, meaning I can support you and your dog no matter where you are based 🌎

15/01/2024

‼️ Don’t let this huge Separation Anxiety training myth sabotage your dog’s progress ‼️

Almost every single client I work with on my home alone training programmes have tried leaving their dog with a food toy.

It is such common advice, and on the surface it makes complete sense. But it just doesn’t work.

Here’s why ⤵️

Food is a hugely powerful tool for changing a dog’s associations.

If we correctly pair a ‘scary’ thing with food, over time the ‘scary’ thing will no longer be as scary because we have overridden the dog’s previous association with a new positive one.

They learn that the previously scary thing actually equals good things. And I see food toys recommended for Separation Anxiety for this exact reason - to create a positive association with alone time. Seems like a great solution, right?

Well, maybe not…

There is one huge difference between Separation Anxiety and other phobias which makes food ineffective:

⏰ the order of events ⏰

To change a dog’s association, the ‘scary’ thing must come first and the food second. But when you give your dog a Kong, and then leave, the order is reversed 🔁

No matter how hard you try and how many times you practice, your dog will not form a positive association with alone time in this way.

You’re actually way more likely to create a negative association with the food toy 😢

So what does work?

The key to successful Separation Anxiety training is:

🙅🏻‍♀️suspending over-threshold absences
⏰sub-threshold exposure to alone time
📈a systematic training plan

This is the method that will truly change how your dog feels about alone time, for the better ❤️‍🩹

If you’d like to find out more about our 121 Separation Anxiety Training Programmes, comment ‘Home Alone’ below to book your free enquiry call and find out more.

04/01/2024

Let’s say goodbye to these outdated Separation Anxiety training methods this year 👋🏼

😢The ‘Cry it Out’ Method
🍔Leaving food when you go
🙅🏻‍♀️Crating your dog when alone

Swipe to find out why you shouldn’t follow these methods, and what to do instead.

If you’d like to find out more about our 121 Separation Anxiety Training Programmes, comment ‘Home Alone’ below to book your free enquiry call and find out more.

21/12/2023

Over 170 hours of relaxed alone time achieved in 2023 🙌🏻

And this number is just the tip of the iceberg, as it doesn’t include my clients who have continued to use the app at the end of our 121 programme.

I’m so proud of each and every client I’ve worked with this year, and everything that’s been achieved. I couldn’t fit you all into this collage, but everyone has put in so much hard work to help your dogs feel happier home alone 👏🏻

Do you think we can beat this number in 2024? 👀

I’m currently taking clients for January 2024, so if you want to join this gang and start your journey to overcoming your dog’s Separation Anxiety please get in touch! Comment ‘Home Alone’ to find out more.

07/12/2023

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Some lovely feedback from Ralph and his guardians Sam and Chris, who completed their 121 Separation Anxiety programme earlier this year.

We helped Ralph successfully work through Door is a Bore on two separate doors, to build a solid foundation of relaxation that his guardians are continuing to build on by themselves as they increase Ralph’s duration of relaxed alone time.

Well done Team Ralph 🙌🏻

If you’re struggling with your dog’s Separation Anxiety, we can help. Comment ‘Home Alone’ or DM to find out more or book your free enquiry call ☺️

03/12/2023

✨ Link in Bio ✨

Find out why online dog training is a must for treating your dog’s Separation Anxiety.

If you’re struggling with your dog’s Separation Anxiety, we have 3 spaces remaining on our 121 Separation Anxiety training programmes for 2023.

DM us to book in your free call to find out more ☺️

02/12/2023

24/11/2023

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Some lovely feedback from Carwyn and his guardian, who finished their 121 Separation Anxiety programme this week.

Carwyn finished his programme with 25mins of relaxed alone time, and we had even managed to start re-introducing Pre-Departure cues into his routine.

More importantly, Carwyn’s guardian feels confident continuing to continue building Carwyn’s home alone confidence by herself.

I’m looking forward to hearing about Carwyn’s future progress ☺️

21/11/2023

Introducing Paddy, who starts his Separation Anxiety training journey this week ✨

We’ll be starting off Paddy’s journey with some door desensitisation, before moving onto build his duration of comfortable alone time.

I’m looking forward to seeing Paddy’s progress over the next couple of months!

15/11/2023

Don't let separation anxiety keep you and your dog from living your best lives.

If you’re struggling with your dog’s separation anxiety, you’re likely feeling frustrated, isolated and a little bit hopeless. But with the right support and guidance, your dog can learn to he happy and confident when left alone. Our individualised Separation Anxiety Training Programmes are designed to help your dog overcome their separation anxiety, using evidence-based and effective techniques.

Our final spaces for 2023 are filling up, so why not take the first step and book your free enquiry call to find out more?

https://www.outofthewoodsdogtraining.co.uk/contact

10/10/2023

Welcome to the newest members of the team: Theo, Miley & Thor. These pups started their Separation Anxiety training last week and have already made a great start 👏🏻

29/08/2023

Join me in congratulating Bertie for achieving 5 HOURS of relaxed alone time 🎉 (whilst his guardian was out enjoying the festival! 🥂)

This is an incredible achievement for Bertie, as back in January this year Bertie would begin to worry after around 30secs of being alone.

Huge well done to Bertie’s guardian for all the hard work and commitment that has gone into this - Bertie is so lucky to have you!

19/06/2023

Amazing update from Max, who started his separation anxiety training with me in November last year 👏🏻 🎉

11/05/2023

Excited to be making a guest appearance at Valley Dogs puppy training classes. There is one space left on the next block starting next Thursday, so if you’re looking for classes in/around Peebles get yourself signed up quick!

02/05/2023

Welcome to Darcy, Torben and Ralph who all recently started their Separation Anxiety training 🥰

All have smashed their first sessions and I’m looking forward to sharing their progress as they build their home alone confidence 🐾

If you’re struggling with your dog’s Separation Anxiety, check out the link in my bio to find out more about my 121 support programmes and book your FREE enquiry call.

26/04/2023

Are you struggling with your dog’s Separation Anxiety? You’re probably feeling isolated, frustrated and as though nothing is going to help your dog feel better.

But it doesn’t have to be this way, and I am here to help. I have ONE SPACE left on my 121 Separation Anxiety training programme, which is designed to guide you and your dog through the training process, one step at a time.

Due to some exciting news (clue is in the photo 👀) I will be taking on a very limited number of clients in May. I have ONE SPACE available for a new team to begin their training journey next week. After this, I will be operating a waitlist and hope to begin accepting new clients again towards the end of May.

If you’d like to find out more about my training programmes, check out the link in my bio to book your free chat ☺️

25/04/2023

Meet Sharik who joined our Separation Anxiety training programme last week! 👋🏼

Sharik is starting her training with a door desensitisation programme, before we’ll gradually build her duration of comfy alone time 📈

If you’re looking for help with your dog’s Separation Anxiety, check out the link in my bio to find out how I can help and book your free enquiry call so we can chat.

💻 🌎 My training programmes are all online, and available worldwide.

29/03/2023

Welcome to Phoebe, Max and Hazel who have all recently started their Separation Anxiety training with us 🥰

I have a few spaces available for April on my 121 Separation Anxiety training programmes, click the link in my bio to find out more.

03/03/2023

Massive well done to Bertie, who hit the 15 minute milestone last night 🥳

02/03/2023

Remember that variation and set backs throughout your Separation Anxiety training are totally normal.

The journey is certainly a roller coaster, there are guaranteed to be ups and downs. The most important thing, is to meet your dog where they are now, and to not give up.

When you’re immersed in the situation, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and as though the training isn’t working. But I’ve seen, time and time again, dogs who have a wobble go on to smash their next training sessions and their time on the clock go up and up after this set back.

If you’re struggling for motivation or feel as though your training isn’t working, I can help. Check out the link in my bio to find out more, or book your free enquiry call today 💻 🌎

01/03/2023

Say hello to Leo, who started his Separation Anxiety training programme this week 🥰

21/02/2023

The best update from one of my clients yesterday evening 👏🏻

Before training, this client wasn’t even able to get out to her car without her dog Max becoming extremely distressed.

They started on a 121 training programme with me in November and she is now able to leave Max for 45mins, totally relaxed, whilst she goes to the shops. This just wasn’t possible for them a few months ago.

I’m currently taking new clients on my 121 training programmes, which are entirely remote and available across Scotland, the U.K. and Europe.

You can find out more on my website:

https://www.outofthewoodsdogtraining.co.uk/

Or pop me a message to book in your free enquiry call!

08/02/2023

Huge congrats to Stevie for reaching 5mins of relaxed alone time 🥳

Stevie started off with a baseline of 0 seconds, so reaching 5mins of alone time is incredible progress. This is the result of a huge amount of consistency and patience from his guardians, and a personalised training plan which has progressed at his individual pace.

If you’re looking for help with dog’s Separation Anxiety, check out the link in my bio to find out how I can help through my 121 online training programmes 🌎💻

31/01/2023

To crate or not to crate? (when it comes to Separation Anxiety). Find out by reading my latest blog post - link below.

https://www.outofthewoodsdogtraining.co.uk/post/the-truth-about-crating-your-dog-with-separation-anxiety

23/01/2023

Are you struggling with your dog's Separation Anxiety?

If so, you're probably feeling frustrated, isolated and as though nothing is going to work for your dog. But you don't have to feel like this, there is a way that you can regain your freedom and help your dog to feel happier home alone.

I have 5 spaces remaining on my 121 Separation Anxiety training programmes, with start dates available throughout February.

Visit my website to find out more about how I can help, and to book your FREE ENQUIRY CALL:

https://www.outofthewoodsdogtraining.co.uk/