A Canine Affinity

A Canine Affinity Separation Anxiety And Puppy Training For Dogs And Pet-Parents Everywhere Specializing in treating separation anxiety in dogs.

We also offer virtual coaching, limited in person day training focusing on teaching puppy life skills and socialization for the most important time in your puppies development. We specialize in helping young puppies develop into strong, confident, adult dogs. We love helping dogs overcome fears and anxieties, and helping dogs who are reactive on leash. Effective, reward based solutions to behavior problems.

When (and if) you should use food during separation anxiety training — demystifiedOne of the most misunderstood parts of...
11/25/2025

When (and if) you should use food during separation anxiety training — demystified

One of the most misunderstood parts of separation anxiety work is when to use food.

My advice? Usually never.

I adore using food in training. It’s one of our most powerful tools. But dog behavior is still science, no matter how simply we explain it. Dogs repeat what helps them avoid scary things and access safe, reinforcing things.

For dogs with separation anxiety, the math looks like this:

Being left alone → very unpleasant
Person not leaving or returning → very good

So adding food doesn’t magically make the “being alone” part feel safe. In fact, it usually has the opposite effect.

My approach to separation anxiety is proven time and time again: slowly teaching your dog that being alone is safe while giving them an environment that supports both their physical and emotional needs.

It’s simple once you have a plan - but not always easy to figure out what your individual dog needs.

That’s where I come in.
Custom plans, 1:1 support, and virtual coaching anywhere you are. Let’s help your dog feel safe at home.

Rodger has been helping me to be the best coach and separation anxiety trainer I can be with lots of practice 😅Having a ...
11/21/2025

Rodger has been helping me to be the best coach and separation anxiety trainer I can be with lots of practice 😅

Having a complex dog with complex issues only gives me opportunities to flex my muscles in advocating for him and learning how to continue to meet his changing needs.

Our dogs aren’t one and done creatures that you just figure out and call it a day!

Preferences change
Needs change
Age changes
We change

Through all of that you can help your dog feel calm and confident by paying attention and learning.

Give me a follow to keep learning more and for all of your separation anxiety needs.

11/21/2025

Choosing a dog trainer for your best friend is a big choice!

Someone to teach you how best to teach your dog skills to live successfully in your home, shape emotions and behaviors and those who help when things get more challenging, like separation anxiety.

Convenience should be a factor. But let’s find the most well suited professional for you and your dog’s specific needs, it’s the best starting place and you both deserve the best.

This could mean just managing some needs on the back burner for a bit to focus on what is most important. Have you ever tried to work on all of your “stuff” at once?

Pro tip - Look for the trainer who understands your specific needs like a someone who works well with reactive dogs, not someone who just says they can do it all - before even hearing what you need - that seems too good to be true.

Choose kind, evidence based, humane methods - those that don’t blame you and your dog but aim to get to the real root of the issue.

I’m here if your new dog or puppy is having a hard time with being home alone - and I won’t pretend to be an expert in much more than that.
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Hi there! I’ve been helping people like you with the best dogs ever overcome separation anxiety for 7 years! That means ...
11/20/2025

Hi there! I’ve been helping people like you with the best dogs ever overcome separation anxiety for 7 years! That means even if you think you’ve tried everything and it’s too hard I know we can do it.

Have questions about my offerings? This post covers my most popular services and those I feel are most beneficial to newbies just learning about separation anxiety in dogs. People like you ⭐️

•You can find options for detailed help while you work through a training plan
•We can meet and troubleshoot if you’re feeling stuck occasionally
•You can sign up for a payment plans
•You can request a sliding scale payment for my intensive services
•I aim to make my services accessible!

All services are virtual so I can help from anywhere and you can train comfortably.

There is lots of free education on my website.

I urge you to set up a free discovery call and we can chat about how I can help you and your best friend!

DM “Freedom” and I’ll send you the link (I can only send if you’re following me)
❤️

There’s no winning in the court of public opinion when your dog has separation anxiety. Every choice is up for debate. E...
10/24/2025

There’s no winning in the court of public opinion when your dog has separation anxiety.

Every choice is up for debate. Every boundary is misunderstood.

The only correct way is whatever you aren’t doing.

Keep showing up anyway. Your dog doesn’t need perfection - they need you!

Save this for next time someone mistakes their judgement for advice.

Are there any you would add?
Drop them in the comments or just add a few words of support for others struggling.

Enrichment can be very fun but isn’t just for fun—it’s a powerful part of behavior change.
When dogs learn that their ch...
10/15/2025

Enrichment can be very fun but isn’t just for fun—it’s a powerful part of behavior change.
When dogs learn that their choices matter, they build agency - the ability to influence their world.
And dogs with agency? They adapt to stress better. They learn to problem-solve where they may have previously panicked.
They gain confidence that helps them cope with alone time.

Small changes like offering choices in walking directions and multiple resting places, interactive feeding, and play-based challenges can make a big difference. While also respecting when your dog says “no”, agency is the control to opt out.

Build agency. Build resilience. Build more comfort for your separation anxiety dog. 
Your dog’s brain (and heart) will thank you.

Follow for more science-made-simple strategies to support anxious dogs.

I hope you can see what your dogs see in you. The joy in their bodies when you walk into the room. The vibration of conn...
10/03/2025

I hope you can see what your dogs see in you.

The joy in their bodies when you walk into the room. The vibration of connection that comes from a true and honest relationship- one built on trust, time, and yes, mistakes.

We are not only the sum of our best or worst days. We are all the sticky things in between.

Silly moments of playful joy that your dog appreciates more than the toys you spend your hard-earned money on. The moments you two understand each other entirely without a spoken word.

The way your heart skips a beat at the twinkle in their eyes when you appear. And the way they are there for you - head resting quietly - when days are hard and it’s easy to lose your softness.

You are a team. If you showed up to the game, you’ve already won. So stop keeping score.

Puppies are a lot of work, here are some tips to make alone time less daunting 🐾 If you got your puppy thinking they wou...
09/10/2025

Puppies are a lot of work, here are some tips to make alone time less daunting 🐾

If you got your puppy thinking they would sleep through the night, or snooze away an 8 hour workday without any trouble, then I’m sorry to tell you someone lied to you.

•It is normal for puppies to feel concerned, scared and anxious when alone during their first several months - it’s what you do to prepare them during this time that can make a big difference in the next 10+ years!

Do NOT let your puppy cry it out - it’s cruel and doesn’t teach them anything but that they can’t trust you. It can result in more separation anxiety related behaviors later.

•Comfort your dog! it isn’t “spoiling” Meet their needs, emotionally, physically and mentally and they will be more prepared to learn it is safe to be alone, gradually.

•Start small, think seconds and minutes not dinner and a movie. 10-30 seconds 5-10 times a day adds up.

•Crates are not training, crates require training! Also crate training is separate from alone time training. First comes feeling comfortable in the crate WITH you then being alone in the crate - Rome wasn’t built in a day.

•Did you accomplish crow position or run that 10K on a whim? No. it took dedication, practice and a plan! Training needs to be structured and gradual in the same way.

•Skip the gimmicks and quick fixes - if they worked you wouldn’t be reading this post!

Finally, don’t do it alone! If your puppy is showing signs of separation anxiety and struggling to be alone, save your sanity and consult a professional - like me! The guidance needed is often more intensive than an online how to video can provide.

Ready for the next step? Book a free discovery call with me to chat and see if an assessment is right for you. Link in bio! Don’t forget to save this post so you can find it later if you aren’t ready yet.
**k

The glow of the camera lighting up their face as you sit in the car watching your separation anxiety dog take a well des...
08/18/2025

The glow of the camera lighting up their face as you sit in the car watching your separation anxiety dog take a well deserved nap.

Maybe you even get out of the car and take a walk. Or stop and get some take out!!

If you want to get wild you sit down for a drink or an appetizer, the danger of knowing your dog could get up any moment and start to worry. The rush of watching them look around and then rest their head down again.

It’s all possible. The dream date exists 😂😭

I dare you to follow along for more spicy, silly, separation anxiety context for you and your dog!

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Roswell, GA
30075

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Tuesday 10am - 7pm
Wednesday 10am - 7pm
Thursday 10am - 7pm
Friday 10am - 3pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

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We know you love your dog, learning to understand them can help you to appreciate their behaviors.

We offer private in home training, day training for adult dogs as well as puppy basics and socialization for the most important time in your puppies development. We specialize in helping young puppies develop into strong, confident, adult dogs, helping dogs overcome fears and anxieties, helping dogs who are reactive on leash and treating separation anxiety in dogs. We use only the most up to date science based methods rooted in positive reinforcement and force free training. Reinforcement drives all behavior, so when we reinforce our dogs for making positive choices, this leads to the most effective and long lasting behavior change. Whether it is basic life skills, helping to overcome fear or even aggressive displays. All behavior can and should be modified with kind and humane, positive methods.