SAfe with Stephie - Separation Anxiety Support for Dogs and Their Humans

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SAfe with Stephie - Separation Anxiety Support for Dogs and Their Humans

Helping dog pros move past rigid training plans. ACEing Separation Anxiety through the SAfe framework - for dogs, caregivers and professionals

With the SAfe Framework, ACE Free Work and The Readiness Web™, I show how readiness, not pressure, creates lasting change for separation anxiety and sensitive dogs.

26/11/2025

My Mickle is one of those dogs who speaks through his body, very quietly. To see him walk, you’d never know he is managing hip dysplasia, a compromised hock and long standing body sensitivity. Even his hydrotherapist says he hides it well.

For a long time I thought a well fitting harness would be the kindest choice and indeed, I tried several designs. Every time, he froze when it went on, took a few steps and then stopped. Was he being stubborn? No: the harness changed the way he moved and made things harder for him, not easier.

His collar, a three metre (ten foot) line, and a mostly silent conversation between us keep his movement freer, more stable and far more comfortable. And because his body is more stable, so are his emotions.

If you’d like to read how his Readiness Web™ guides all of this, the link is in the comments.

07/11/2025

Every so often, something comes along that feels completely in tune with how I see and understand dogs - and this one really does.

Next week, my friend and colleague Marilyn Mele is hosting Love In Action: What Sensitive Dogs Really Need to Feel Safe and Loved. It's a week of conversations exploring what sensitivity, safety, and healing truly mean for dogs and their people.

The topics are beautiful, from attachment and co-regulation to Free Work, trauma, optimism, and grief.

They feel so aligned with the way I work and think many of you will feel the same.

It starts tomorrow! and runs from 8–14 November, and you can join for free here:
https://www.marilynmele.com/registration-november-2025-stephie-guy

I’m really looking forward to it and hope you’ll join me there.

Stephie

01/11/2025

Fireworks season can be one of the hardest times of year for sensitive dogs.It is rarely just the noise itself. The sudden bangs, the flashes of light, the change in routine, and the tension in the home all weave together and pull on multiple strands of the Readiness Web™.

The Readiness Web™ is the framework I use to look at the whole dog. Each strand represents something that supports their ability to cope: physical comfort, emotional safety, environment, movement, nutrition, rest, and relationship. When one strand comes under pressure, the others have to take more of the load.

In my latest blog, When Fireworks Stretch the Readiness Web™, I explore how to steady those strands and help dogs feel safe when the world outside feels unpredictable. You will find calm, practical ideas that support both you and the dog you are caring for.

You can read it here: https://www.calmercanines.co.uk/blog/fireworks

30/10/2025

It’s OK, He’s Friendly!

Most of us have heard it, and many have said it too.
But for some dogs, those words can mean pain, fear or weeks of recovery undone in a single moment.

In my latest blog, I share what happened when a “friendly” off-lead dog ran over to Mickle while he was recovering from surgery. What looked like a harmless greeting left him sore, swollen and tore a hole in his Readiness Web™ that meant I couldn't leave him home alone while I went to the gym.

It’s not about blame. It’s about awareness.
Because behind every on-lead dog there’s a reason, often pain, fear or slow, careful healing.

You can read the full story here on my blog https://www.calmercanines.co.uk/blog/offleash-dogs

If you’d like to understand how moments like this connect to the Readiness Web™ and what it means for separation anxiety and sensitive dogs, you’ll find much more inside the SAfe Separation Anxiety Pro Course.

Doors close on Sunday, so if you’d like to know more, send me a message and I’ll get you the details.

27/10/2025

Learning more about Separation Distress and
how I can help Rosie to feel safe and loved. Living with separation anxiety is so hard for both the dogs and their families. Sending out warm
And supportive thoughts to all those struggling with their dogs needs. You are not alone

https://www.facebook.com/share/1UaNa14ypg/?mibextid=wwXIfr

26/10/2025

Yesterday I ran a Masterclass on separation struggles and the response was incredible. The chat was full, the reflections were thoughtful, and most people stayed for the full two hours. It was one of those sessions where you could feel something landing and softening for people.

We explored why separation cases can feel so heavy, even when we are doing everything “right”. The carefully explored absences, the easy gentle steps, the soft tone, the slow movements. And still the dog cannot settle.

What we looked at together was the deeper layer beneath all of that. The body. The nervous system. The household rhythm. The relationship. And the Readiness Web™ that holds all of these strands. When one strand is stretched, separation is hard. When we support the web as a whole, the dog’s capacity to be alone can emerge naturally, without rehearsing departures.

For many people, the strongest feeling was relief.
💚 Relief that they had not been getting it wrong.
💚 Relief that the dog was not failing or being difficult.
💚 Relief that calm does not need to be trained, but restored.

If you would like to watch the Masterclass replay, you can still get the replay here:
https://www.heartdogtrainers.com/separation-anxiety-unpacked-masterclass-registration

And because so many people asked what comes next, enrolment is now open for the SAfe Separation Anxiety Professional Programme. It is where we take everything from the Masterclass and move into supported, structured integration over six months. It includes live teaching, case-based learning, reflective space and a full year in the SAfe Circle community.

Details and joining:
https://www.heartdogtrainers.com/safe-separation-anxiety

For anyone who joins before the end of tomorrow (Monday October 27th), there are two additional supports available. There is no urgency and no expectation to decide quickly. They are simply available if you already feel a sense of yes in your body.

👉 A free 30 minute case review with me, where you can bring one of your own cases and we will explore your next steps together
👉 Free access to the Business 101 mini course with Janet and Michelle, offering simple, steady guidance to support your business foundations

If you are curious, begin with the replay.
Let it settle.
You will know if this is for you.

24/10/2025

We’re live tomorrow - don’t miss it.

If you’ve ever felt stuck helping a dog who panics when left alone, this is for you.

Tomorrow I’ll be live with HeartDog for Separation Anxiety Unpacked, a free online session that looks beneath the surface of separation struggles.

Because it’s never really about how long a dog can be left.
It’s about what’s happening underneath - comfort in the body, gut health, sleep, stress, sound sensitivities, trauma, and choice.

We’ll explore how to recognise when a dog isn’t ready, how to support safety and calm, and how to build confidence that lasts.

📅 Live tomorrow (Saturday 25 October)
🕒 3 pm BST / 10 am ET / 7 am PT
🎥 Hosted by HeartDog
💻 Register to join on Zoom

Register to join live or get the replay if you can’t make it.

👉 https://www.heartdogtrainers.com/separation-anxiety-unpacked-masterclass-registration

22/10/2025

Ever wondered why some dogs never seem to settle, no matter how carefully you follow the plan?

You’ve seen me talking recently about what really lies beneath separation struggles - about dogs who can’t switch off, whose bodies hold tension, who never quite switch off even when everything seems calm on the surface.

On Saturday, I’ll be running a free Masterclass, hosted by with HeartDog. The class is called Separation Anxiety Unpacked, and we’ll be exploring exactly that.

We’ll look at why traditional “stopwatch” training can keep both dogs and humans stuck, and what to do instead. Because it’s never really about minutes on a clock - it’s about how safe, comfortable, and understood a dog feels in their whole world.

You’ll learn how to spot when a dog isn’t ready, how to rebuild trust, and how calm confidence grows when we support the dog’s whole being, not just their behaviour.

📅 Live Saturday 25 October
🕒 3 pm BST / 10 am ET / 7 am PT
🎥 Hosted by HeartDog and free to attend

Join live if you can - that’s when you’ll be able to ask questions and take part in the discussion. If you can’t make it, you’ll get the replay as long as you’ve registered.

👉 Link to join: https://www.heartdogtrainers.com/separation-anxiety-unpacked-masterclass-registration

19/10/2025

Going live today at 3pm UK - come and join us!

This afternoon I’ll be live with Janet and Michelle from HeartDog, talking about separation struggles and why stopwatch training doesn’t give the answers we need.

It’ll be relaxed and down to earth, a conversation about what is really going on for dogs who find it hard to be left and how we can help them feel safe instead.

The photo I’ve shared is me and Mickle on the sofa planning together. He’s a daily reminder of why I care so much about this work - our dogs need to feel safe, and we can help them get there.

If you are a trainer, a behaviourist or a dedicated caregiver who wants a kinder and more effective way to support dogs, you simply can't miss it!

👉 We’ll be live in the HeartDog Trainers Facebook group today, 19th October, at 3pm UK. No sign up needed, just head here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/heartdogtrainers

See you there ❤️

18/10/2025

These photos might not look like much, but they make my heart sing. My Mickle had an operation at the beginning of August - about ten weeks ago - and this week is the very first time he’s been able to go off-lead on his walks.

Being free from the constraint of a long line makes such a difference. If he wants to chase a squirrel, he can chase a squirrel. If he wants to explore, he can explore.

Why does this matter? Because it feeds into his Readiness Web(TM). The happier and more fulfilled he feels outside on his walks, the more confident he becomes - and the better able he is to cope with me being away when he’s at home.

We're living our best lives ❤️

17/10/2025

You can’t drill calm, but you can grow it.

Separation anxiety advice often tells us to practise over and over.
😢 Pick up the keys.
😢 Open and close the door.
😢 Stretch the absences.

But for many dogs, drills don’t create calm - they just rehearse the panic.

In Part 3 of my blog series, I explore why repetition can backfire, and how a kinder way forward helps dogs build calm confidence from the inside out.

👉 Read Part 3: You Can’t Drill Calm, But You Can Grow It
https://www.calmercanines.co.uk/blog/grow-calm

For caregivers living it, and for professionals supporting families through it - this one’s for you.

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Opening Hours

Monday	07:30 - 21:00
Tuesday	07:30 - 21:00
Wednesday	07:30 - 21:00
Thursday	07:30 - 21:00
Friday	07:30 - 21:00
Saturday	07:30 - 21:00
Sunday	07:30 - 21:00

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http://Www.calmercanines.co.uk/

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