Best Buddies Dog Training & Behaviour

08/11/2023

CANINE SEPARATION ANXIETY

As much as we love our dogs and as much as we would like to take them everywhere with us, it’s not always practical.

Trips to the doctors, dentist, supermarket shopping and so on are examples of events that many people would often take for granted but for those living with dogs with separation anxiety attending outings such as these can take a bit of forward planning and all spontaneousness is something of the past!

Hi, I’m Jan founder and owner of Best Buddies Dog Training and Behaviour specialising in Canine Separation Anxiety.

Living with a dog suffering with separation anxiety can be difficult and it’s not uncommon for owners to feel that they generally have the perfect companion except for this one thing!

This one thing of course is a pretty big thing and as it is an emotional response to fear… fear of being home alone. It can be a tough nut to crack with many owners not knowing where to start and often leaving them feeling isolated, frustrated and perhaps guilty too. It can easily become an emotional rollercoaster!

The good news it that dogs can be helped to overcome their separation anxiety. Remember though it is a journey and each dog is an individual so no quick fixes, no one cap fits all!

If you are struggling to help your dog to overcome their separation anxiety then please reach out, you are not alone. You can contact me via my website www.bestbuddiesdogtrainingandbehaviour.com or simply pick up the phone and give me a call on 07866 840222.

A warm and friendly welcome awaits you.

20/06/2023

Congratulations to little Pickle with the big number...smashing 4 hours home alone time x

19/06/2023

It is easy to wish but sadly a wish is just that...it's doesn't change anything 🥲

If we want things to change we have to change something..it's the not knowing what to and how to change things that often holds people back.

If you are dreaming of simply going shopping without having to worry about leaving your dog home alone or to go out on that special date or just going out anywhere knowing that your dog is safe and content at home alone then it's time to stop dreaming and to take action..today! 😇

Everyone deserves to live their life to the full and that includes you! ♥️

Ditch the research, ditch the same routine and ditch the dreaming 😉

Here to help both you and your beloved dog 🙂🐾

18/06/2023

FREEDOM

When you think of the word FREEDOM what does that mean to you? 🤔

Freedom has a different meaning to different people in different circumstances.

Take a few minutes to think about what the word Freedom means to you at this point in your life and ask yourself, “Do I have Freedom?”

When it comes to owners with beloved dogs struggling with Separation Anxiety, Freedom is something they do not have and if you have a dog struggling with Separation Anxiety you will know exactly what I mean!

When having to leave your beloved pets you no doubt have to organise outings well in advance so you can arrange for your dog to be looked after whilst you go out.

“Do you fancy going out to dinner?” on the spur of the moment invitations are often rejected, so now you have not only lost your freedom you have also lost being spontaneous….miserable eh?

But it doesn’t have to be this way with help, support and guidance you can help your dog to overcome their separation anxiety, you can get your freedom back and you can be spontaneous again 🙂

For further information please reach out, here to help ☺️

17/06/2023

It is always bittersweet when our awesome owners and their beloved dogs fly the nest having smashed their separation anxiety journey with me ❤️

CONGRATULATIONS AND WELL DONE!

07/06/2023

There is so much information available to us these days regarding Separation Anxiety whether that be online, a friend, social media and so on but how much of it is actually correct?

Well sadly, a lot of information is often wrong, misleading and could be damaging and is nothing more than an opinion.

Think carefully and ask your self, "Is this really going to help my dog feel less scared about being left home alone?"

06/06/2023

If you have a new puppy and have concerns regarding Separation Anxiety then please get in touch ☺️

01/06/2023

Helping dogs to overcome their Separation Anxiety is a journey...a journey to FREEDOM and to getting your life back on track!

If you are ready to begin your journey, please get in touch for a complimentary discovery call...

16/01/2022

"Got a dog suffering with Separation Anxiety?
Don’t go another year in lockdown.
This is the year you can help your dog to over come its fear of being home alone.
Book a discovery call with me and let’s look forward to a brighter 2022.
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=20468697

29/08/2021

Separation Anxiety Congratulations ❤
Well Done and Congratulations to Marnie and her incredible owner who have worked incredibly hard with their Separation Anxiety Training!
Love, love, love helping owners and their beloved dogs over come separation anxiety ❤
Incredible team work - Well Done xx

25/08/2021

New Semi Private Group Separation Anxiety Courses coming soon!

16/08/2021

SEPARATION ANXIETY CONGRATULATIONS!...

I couldn't be more proud of awesome Lenny who has recently completed his Separation Anxiety Training Program with me ❤
They say team work makes the dream work and what a wonderful team we had with Lenny and his awesome owner ❤
Great work guys, keep up the brilliant work ❤

16/08/2021

Did you that...

🐾 Puppies as well as older dogs can, and do, get separation anxiety.

🐾 The good news however, is that you did not cause your puppy's/older dogs home alone struggles BUT you can help them overcome them.

If you have a puppy or older dog struggling with being home alone then let's grab a coffee and have a chat!

You can book a free 15 minute call by clicking on the link below:
https://calendly.com/best-buddies-dog-training/15min

Look forward to chatting soon!

15/08/2021

CONGRATULATIONS OLLIE!! ❤

Helping owners and their beloved dogs over come separation anxiety is what I love to do at Best Buddies Dog Training and Behaviour!

Of course it is always bittersweet when our awesome owners and their precious dogs fly the nest. 😥🥰
For sure it is always sad to see them leave but also, it is wonderful when they no longer need my help and have a dog that can now be left home alone! 🐾🐾

Well done, Ollie and your awesome owners for doing SO well and for continuing to make excellent progress! 🐶❤❤

25/05/2021

Puppies don't have Separation Anxiety, do they?

Over the last few months there has been an explosion in puppy ownership and owners working from home.

Puppy socialisation is often on the top of the 'to do' list but what about preparing puppy to be home alone as part of socialisation?

Click here to read more.
https://www.bestbuddiesdogtrainingandbehaviour.com/blog/separation-anxiety-puppies

Is It True That Puppies Suffer From Separation Anxiety? In This Blog I'll Debunk Some Of The Theories That Have Been Heavily Popularised In Recent Times

24/05/2021

⏰ The clock is ticking and with further lockdown restrictions likely to be eased mid June, you need to get a wiggle on if you have a dog suffering with Separation Anxiety.
If you want to get started with helping your dog feel more confident being left home alone don't keep putting it off!
Take action and book a call to find out more today!

20/05/2021

Congratulations to my most recent Separation Anxiety Graduate! ❤

Our students take their separation anxiety training to a whole new level and really do put in the work :)

It has been a complete pleasure working with the very awesome, Brunel and his dedicated and caring owners.❤

Well done all of you! You have been a complete pleasure to work with and I look forward to keeping in touch! Keep up the incredible good work x

16/05/2021

Over the last few days I have been posting some common Separation Anxiety myths.

Just in case you have missed any, here is a link to my blog.

Separation Anxiety is my passion, my aim is to help as many owners and their dogs as I can.

If you have a dog suffering with Separation Anxiety then please read my blog and make that all important discovery call.

Our dogs matter x

https://www.bestbuddiesdogtrainingandbehaviour.com/blog/separation-anxiety-myths

4 Common Myths People Believe About Separation Anxiety

16/05/2021

Building a solid and trusting relationship with our dogs is really so important and yet aversive methods of training are widely used.

It really makes me sad when I hear that owners are unknowingly being told to basically frighten their dogs when they have done 'wrong!'

A common misconception is that you treat fear with fear...so what do I mean by this?

A barking dog is a prime example as this something I deal with on a daily basis with stressed out owners and stressed out dogs!

Owners have been told to shout at their dogs, to punish the dog, to sq**rt water at their dogs, to use "pet corrector' spray and so the list goes on!

A dog barks for many reasons and often through fear. Using aversive methods (see above examples) are those involving fear.
You cannot overcome fear by using more fear!

So if anyone is struggling with their dogs then please remember there will be a reason for their behaviour, once we establish why they are behaving in the manner they are, then and only then are we able to help them using kindness, understanding and positive methods.

If you would like some help then please get in touch, here to help not to judge.

Thanks for reading x

14/05/2021

Separation Anxiety Myth Busting Week.

Myth # 4

Getting another dog will 'fix' Separation Anxiety.

This is a biggie and everyone will have an opinion but here's the thing...

Research papers suggest that whilst a small handful of dogs 'may' be helped by having a doggie companion, the underlying anxiety still exits when their playmate is not present.

This is just one of the many considerations to take into account before thinking of dashing out to get another dog.

13/05/2021

Separation Anxiety Myth Busting Week...

Myth # 3

Your Dog Soiled/Chewed the Furniture to get back at you!

Despite popular belief, dogs DO NOT think this way! Their brain is not designed to have thoughts such as "I'm going to do this out of spite!"

Your dog did these things because they couldn't help it, not for revenge or with other spiteful intent.

12/05/2021

Separation Anxiety Myth Busting Week.



If you let them "cry/bark it out", they will eventually stop!

There are many types of bark and often, barking is a means to an end OR it can be an emotional response.

Unlike attention barking which often results in... well, getting attention - barking from fear is a whole different matter.

A fearful dog being left home alone is not thinking, "give me a cookie!" but instead is experiencing a deep emotion of anxiousness and fear, an emotion it is unable to control.

The more fearful and anxious the dog is, the more it begins to panic = the more likely it is to continue to cry/bark.

11/05/2021

Separation Anxiety Myth Busting Week...

Separation Anxiety is a minefield for many owners and to make things seemingly more difficult, there are many unfounded myths surrounding this condition.

Specialising in this particular area, I understand and appreciate how challenging this struggle can be for many and it makes me sad when there is so much inaccurate and misleading information out there.

For sure, most advice is well-meaning but much of it is simply wrong!

There are many myths but for this week we shall be covering just 4.
Let’s kick today off with...

# Myth No. 1

The owner caused the dogs separation anxiety!

This is not the case!

It is often said that letting a dog sleep on your bed, cuddling it on the sofa, petting it too much caused separation anxiety.

These things DO NOT cause separation anxiety!

04/05/2021

Meet another of our awesome Yorkie students!
Handsome little Bailey and his lovely owner have just completed some 1-2-1 online life skills training with me and they are rocking!
Online training means I can work with Yorkies worldwide 🙂
Well Done, Bailey! You are a beautiful little dog
Keep up the excellent work ❤

27/04/2021

It is always bittersweet when owners and their precious dogs fly the nest. 😥🥰

For sure it is always sad to see them leave but also, it is wonderful when they no longer need my help and have a dog that can now be left home alone! 🐾🐾

Well done, Denny and your awesome owners for doing SO well and for continuing to make excellent progress! 🐶❤

Very happy for you all ❤

26/04/2021

Clyde has been smashing his SEPARATION ANXIETY TRAINING!

Earlier this year, beautiful Clyde and his wonderful family began separation anxiety training with me and I have to say they are an awesome team!

It takes commitment and time to help our beloved canines to overcome Separation Anxiety but these guys have done so well and now it is time to fly the nest as Clyde is happy to relax and snooze home alone! ☺

Well done, Clyde and your dedicated family you have been amazing and I am super happy for you all! ❤ 🐾

24/04/2021

Say hello to the very beautiful little, Dotty ❤
Dotty has just competed our Puppy Foundation Course and our next level up from there, the Moving On Course!
Such a little super star ❤
Congratulations Dotty and your amazing owners - a great team! Keep up the good work ❤

16/04/2021

We have some awesome students around the world all thanks to the power of online training!
Meet beautiful, Hime all the way from Japan!
Hime has recently completed some 1-2-1 online training with me and is an absolute star!
Well Done to both Hime and her awesome owner, together you make a great team!" ❤

29/03/2021

As lockdown restrictions begin to ease many owners are excitedly thinking about the 'new normal'

Many owners will be going back to work or doing things where they are unable to take their dogs with them, hence many dogs will be home alone.

If you are getting ready to return to the 'new normal' whatever that may be for you AND know that your dog will be uncomfortable being left home alone, then STOP and think "how can I prepare my dog?"

If you have a dog struggling with Separation Anxiety then please reach out, there is literally no time like the present.

Here to help not to judge.