Home Alone Canine

22/05/2024

A client I recently started working with sent me this, LOL.

112.2K likes, 478 comments. “So uhhh… am I not going to get a raise…? ?? . credit: minniemoosethecorgi”

16/02/2024

Such a nice review from Carol! I'm so proud of the success she has had with her dogs :) https://g.co/kgs/bwdfrCP

09/01/2024

A very kind review from a previous client about their dog, Maui. Maui is such a cutie!! https://maps.app.goo.gl/icfmkUPE8xS5kH7e8

31/10/2023

What a nice review! I’m so proud of Ellie Mae and her owners!

★★★★★ "My wife and I adopted Ellie Mae about 6 months ago. We fell in love with her right away but also began experiencing some pretty serious separation anxiety issues anytime we left the house. We tried to manage it on our own with no luck and our rescue recommended Alexandra Dilley. Ale...

22/10/2023

Check out this new video I created on understanding separation anxiety in dogs!

22/10/2023

Learn about separation anxiety in dogs, including why dogs destroy things in the home, bark, and howl when left alone.

03/08/2023

Check out my blog post on preventing and treating separation anxiety in puppies!

Welcome to the ultimate guide on saving your adorable little puppy from the horrors of separation anxiety! Those soulful eyes and wagging tail can mask a potential nightmare for both you and your furry companion. Fear not, for I have 14 foolproof strategies that will help your puppy avoid and overco...

26/07/2023

Great update from a current class student: "Charlie is doing very well in his training. I figured out that when I leave I usually go down the stairs rather than the elevator down the hallway. The stairwell is very near my door. The click of that door shutting usually set off his barking. I added that step in as a trigger and he is becoming desensitized to it. I was out for about 2 hrs and 15 min the other day. He barked for a little bit right after I left and was quiet the rest of the time! I feel like I am getting my life back. I can now go grocery shopping in the heat and leave him home. That’s a big step. I have also been able to get back to the the gym several times a week and take bike rides. All things I cannot do with him. This training works if you put the time in. Thank you!"

20/07/2023

Thank you to my clients Neal, Ashley and Butters for this very kind review!

"When faced with a difficult challenge that had us at our wits' end, it was Alexandra Dilly who emerged as our saving grace. Our beloved pup was battling intense separation anxiety. The mere thought of us leaving him alone would send him into distress - we could barely leave him alone for two seconds. Thanks to Alexandra, however, those days are now far behind us.

The depth of Alexandra's knowledge in canine behavior is nothing short of impressive. She carries a nuanced understanding of a dog's psyche and emotional patterns that she leverages to provide truly transformative solutions. She takes the time to understand your pup as an individual, crafting strategies that are not only effective but tailored to your dog's specific needs and personality.

With the patience of a saint, Alexandra guided us step by step through the process. She provided us with practical tools and techniques, instilling confidence in us and our ability to manage our dog's anxiety. Following her carefully devised plans led to remarkable changes we scarcely dared hope for.

Thanks to Alexandra, we can now leave our home without the fear and guilt that previously plagued us. Our pup has learned to remain calm and secure even when we're not around. It’s a drastic shift that has significantly improved both our lives and our pup's.

But what makes Alexandra truly stand out is her genuine care for the dogs she works with and their families. She isn't just about managing the problem at hand but aims to ensure long-lasting change and a better quality of life for your pet.

I urge you to trust her methods and follow her plans - they are a tried and true testament to her expertise. They've worked wonders for us, and I have no doubt they'll do the same for you.
To anyone struggling with their dog's behavior, don't hesitate to reach out to Alexandra. Her profound understanding, empathetic approach, and practical solutions make her an invaluable asset in the world of canine behavior management.

Thank you, Alexandra, for your incredible work. You've truly helped create a more peaceful, happy, and balanced home for us and our four-legged family member. You are an absolute gem in the canine community!"

16/06/2023

Lovely update from a previous student of my online separation anxiety class:

"Alexandra,

I just wanted to drop a note that Heidi just successfully completed 2.5 hours of anxiety free home alone time! Crate free too! Your class was invaluable and why were are at the level of success we are at. Thank you so much!

Also side note, applying same techniques has helped with her car fears as well. She has not thrown up in the car in months and drool is at a minimum.

Hope all is well with you and yours.

Linda"

I have another class is starting next Sunday, June 25th at 12:30 pm ET. You can sign up here: https://secure3.convio.net/whsdc/site/Ecommerce/916946493?VIEW_PRODUCT=true&product_id=1926&store_id=2263

09/06/2023

Received this touching update from a previous client today. I have the best clients!

Alexandra,

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to share an exciting update on Ruby's progress and express my sincere gratitude for your invaluable support throughout her journey.

Today, I was away for four hours, and I am thrilled to inform you that Ruby did exceptionally well being home alone. I haven't had the need to use Clonidine since shortly after the first of the year. I just have to make sure there's no food on the counter as she will find them if I do. Otherwise, she's good at home alone.

Next week is the one-year anniversary since I adopted Ruby. It's amazing to think back to how she was when I first adopted her and where she is now. I wanted to take a moment to express my deep appreciation for your assistance in helping me get Ruby to where she is with being home alone. Your guidance and support have been instrumental in helping Ruby become comfortable being home alone.

Warm regards and heartfelt thanks,

Nancy

27/03/2023

I have a special place in my heart for dogs from Korea, that dates back to my shelter behavior days! So glad I could help Jaerong be comfortable at home alone and thankful to her parents for this very kind review: "Alexandra was a huge help in getting our rescue dog to feel confident staying home by herself! Before the training she would pace, cry, and howl the whole time we were gone. Now when we check the monitor she is sleeping comfortably on the couch, a major change! Alexandra’s training plans are very thorough and working together online is easy for the dog as well as the trainer! Jaerong is a much happier more confident pup!" Jenni M.

27/03/2023

Wanted to share this review from Koda's parents: "We came across Home Alone Canine after desperately searching for solutions to our dog Koda’s separation anxiety. We adopted him as a 7 month old puppy, and quickly discovered some behavioral challenges that emerged whenever we left him alone, from howling to destroying items around the house. Alexandra was incredibly helpful through this process — not only in developing and supporting us through training plans to address the separation anxiety, but in her knowledge of animal behavior and identifying other potential underlying causes of Koda’s discomfort. We were able to bring these recommendations to our vet and treat some physical symptoms that Koda had been displaying, which made a huge difference. Through our work with Alexandra, we went from not being able to leave Koda alone for more than a minute without destruction, to having him sleep peacefully as we depart the house. I can’t recommend Alexandra enough!"

27/03/2023

Great review of my online separation anxiety class that I wanted to share: "I wanted to thank you for your compassion and thoughtfulness, your presentation of the material, and your patience in helping me and the other students navigate this tricky issue. I learned quite a lot from the material you presented at the beginning of each class, and I appreciated that you were able to back up your methods with studies that had been done. Even more, however, I really appreciated how you helped us get started, especially in that first week, by giving us a foundation from which we could build upon. As I mentioned before, I had used another professional to try to help my older dog with this issue, and although I made progress, it was much slower and more frustrating (for me and my pup), and also far more expensive despite not offering as much value as your class did. I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who is struggling with this issue."

https://wagworkshops.org/classes-workshops-community-programs/dog-training-class/separation-anxiety-dog-training-class/

https://yourdogsfriend.org/online-separation-anxiety-class/

Our separation anxiety dog training class is an online group class. Class size is limited to 6 dogs. Class is held on Sunday afternoons at 3:30pm from April

13/03/2023

Very excited that our article, "Changes in Dog Behaviour Associated with the COVID-19 Lockdown, Pre-Existing Separation-Related Problems and Alterations in Owner Behaviour" has been published in the peer-reviewed journal, Veterinary Sciences! It is part of their special issue, Impacts of COVID-19 on Health, Behavior, Welfare and Relationship of Companion Animals and Other Animals. Thank you to everyone who participated in the research process! You can read it here:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns provided an opportunity to assess what factors, including changes in an owner’s routine and time spent at home, were associated with changes in dog behaviour. We undertook a longitudinal survey over a period of 8 months during which we asked about people...

19/02/2023

Just got this great review from a past client:
"I adopted Ruby after she had been returned to the shelter from two previous adopters due to her separation anxiety issues. I’ll be honest, during the first two weeks of having Ruby I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to manage her. Whenever I left the house, she would screech and howl. I contacted the shelter and they referred me to Alexandra Dilley. Working with Alexandra was the solution to helping build Ruby’s confidence so that she’s now able to be home alone for at least 5 hours at a time. And I know at this point, that she could probably stay longer, I just haven’t had the need to do so.

Alexandra was great about helping me to make note of any physical ailments that might have been affecting Ruby as they played into how she felt when being home alone. It wasn’t an overnight fix but building confidence takes time. Alexandra had all the right tools to help me work with Ruby. I would never have been able to help Ruby without Alexandra’s guidance. If you have a dog with separation anxiety issues, I would highly recommend her." Nancy & Ruby

01/01/2023

Are you a DIY-er? I have online separation anxiety classes starting in January at Your Dog's Friend. You can register here:

Does your dog struggle when left alone? Do you return to destruction, a stressed-out dog, or accidents in the house, even though when you are home, none of that happens? Are your neighbors complaining about your dog’s barking or crying? We will show you how to address the variety of issues that ca...

01/01/2023

Received this wonderful email recently from another trainer:

"Hi there,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your compassionate, accessible lecture on EveryDog regarding separation issues. It can be so frustrating when there are few resources other than complete absence suspension, which is inaccessible to most of my clients and leaves the ones with resources in doubt about what happens during an emergency.

Ever since the lecture was published, I've tried to scream through the rooftops about it! I recommend it to all my clients struggling with this issue. You've done amazing work in dismantling the inaccessibility of separation bmod, and I can't thank you enough for it."

If you haven't seen this webinar, you can view it here:

Speaker: Alexandra Dilley (she/her) MA Animal Behavior, CPDT-KAwww.homealonecanine.com----Dog training is for everyone.We're a nonprofit dedicated to providi...

12/11/2022

Another great client update: “Here’s her last week 😍😍.” Go Jolene!!

12/11/2022

Got this sweet update from a client today! “I think he's relaxed! He stayed in this position the entire time I was gone - 10 mins. Today is a shorter duration day 😊 happy Friday and almost weekend!”

08/11/2022

A typical separation anxiety training session!

Check out this presentation designed by Alexandra Dilley.

16/10/2022

A recent webinar I did for Your Dog's Friend on the best ways to help your dog learn to stay home alone!

Speaker: Alexandria Dilley, MA, Animal Behavior, CPDT-KA, Home Alone CanineDid you know that separation anxiety is only one type of separation-related proble...

16/10/2022

Got this great text from a client: “Too cute not to share. We’re at a college volleyball game. Blaze is at home.”

16/10/2022

Does your dog struggle when left alone? Do you return to destruction, a stressed-out dog, or accidents in the house, even though when you are home, none of that happens? Are your neighbors complaining about your dog’s barking or crying? We will show you how to address the variety of issues that can create this complicated problem and how to build your own plan to work to reduce your dog’s anxiety.

This class provides support and coaching to give you the tools you need to develop a plan to work on helping your dog feel more comfortable when home alone. Please note we do not expect this behavior issue to be resolved by the end of the class period, as separation anxiety is complex, and it takes time to overcome the triggers and fears that your dog may have.

Does your dog struggle when left alone? Do you return to destruction, a stressed-out dog, or accidents in the house, even though when you are home, none of that happens? Are your neighbors complaining about your dog’s barking or crying? We will show you how to address the variety of issues that ca...

16/10/2022

My husband and I are so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Alexandra and would give her our highest recommendation. When we first started working with Alexandra, our pup, Rolo, was alert and whining at our door after about two minutes of being alone. We worked with Alexandra for 8 weeks and then a few additional weeks on our own, and now Rolo snoozes comfortably for 2 hours. Alexandra is knowledgeable in her field, has a calm and professional demeanor, and most of all we appreciated the collaborative nature of our relationship with her. She was always willing to offer suggestions and listen to our feedback, and she would adjust her plan accordingly, for example, scaling back the training when Rolo wasn't feeling well. Alexandra was communicative, easy to work with, and we feel it was money well spent as Rolo has made incredible progress with his separation anxiety. She has even been so kind as to follow up with us after we completed our sessions with her, and she gave us the tools for us to continue behavior training on our own. We credit Alexandra with helping us and Rolo to enjoy a better quality of life, and that is all we wanted for Rolo, the ability to feel comfortable and safe while home alone. Thank you, Alexandra!