Healthy Mind Canine - Separation Anxiety Training

21/04/2025

When your dog is nose-down in the grass, tracking the scent of a critter or investigating a hidden snack, they’re not just “playing”—they’re engaging in a deeply satisfying neurobiological experience

The Science Behind the Sniff

In 2005, neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp identified a core emotional system in mammals called the SEEKING system—an ancient, dopamine-fueled pathway responsible for exploration, investigation, and goal-directed behavior.

What’s especially fascinating is that dopamine peaks during the seeking itself, not just at the moment of reward.

In other words, it’s the search that lights up the brain—not just the find.
So when you give your dog the opportunity to forage—whether that’s adventuring off-leash in nature, sniffing out squirrels at the park, or discovering hidden food in the yard—you’re meeting a core biological need. You’re literally activating the part of their brain that drives motivation, curiosity, and engagement with their world (& meeting their welfare needs as a result).

Reference: Panksepp, J. (2005). Affective neuroscience: The foundations of human and animal emotions. Oxford University Press.

💡 The L.E.G.S.® Perspective:

Learning: Curating experiences to meet your dog’s natural foraging propensities provides opportunities to develop motor, cognitive, & even emotional regulation skills.

Environment: An indoor, sterile environment offers few opportunities for our dogs to readily “seek” like the unique animals they are - get them outside or bring other discoverable goods in to improve welfare.

Genetics: From terriers to scent hounds, many dogs were bred to find things—vermin, birds, game. Foraging lets them do what they were born to do, giving dogs a taste of the good life.

Self: Some dogs are highly motivated by sniffing, others by searching or manipulating objects. Tailor your foraging games to their unique preferences.

17/04/2025

04/03/2025

A few weeks ago we welcomed a new dog! Here's some things we are doing to ease the transition and prevent the development of maladaptive behavior problems.

1. Understanding that this transition is stressful and scary for pretty much any dog can help us modify our expectations in the first few weeks/months. Your new dog has basically been kidnapped by strangers and put into a brand new environment. This stress can present as either hyperactivity OR being shut down. For Topo, he leaned into the hyperactivity. The first week was really tough when it came to keeping everyone in the house happy. We're ALL going through a transition here and no matter how much we want it to be "sunshine & rainbows", it usually isn't. For Topo, we also needed to take into account that he is still an adolescent, which naturally comes with teenage challenges such as lack of impulse control, big feelings, risk-taking behavior, & slower learning.

2. Keeping routines consistent so your new dog can get the hang of them is huge in helping them calm down and settle in! This is a big one for Topo! He calmed down significantly once he started understanding how we do things.

3. Consider that your dog, especially if they are young, has likely not had much training or experience with enrichment activities. Your dog still needs to learn HOW to learn! When we dive into these things head first at an intensity that is too hard for them it can create more stress & frustration. We start with really easy food puzzles/enrichment activities & just rewarding voluntary behavior that we like throughout the day so he can "win" as much as possible. This helps them gain confidence! Topo has already learned to stay on his "spot" during dinner. Not because I formally trained it in a formal training session, but because I kept rewarding him for being there on his own. We can put it on cue later! We have 15 years ahead of us 😉

4. We need to let our dog know that we are listening to them and making sure their needs are met. They need to know that they can rely on us after likely being failed and not listened to by other humans before you. This means backing off when your dog is saying they are uncomfortable, observing them for signs that they need something like a potty break, play, or a calming activity to do.

5. This is a big one! Treat everything like a "first" because it IS a first with us and in this new environment. This means easing into things like vacuuming, brushing, putting gear on, picking them up, meeting new people, going to new places, and having new experiences that they have not had with us yet. Easing into things and not just assuming they'll be okay is probably one of the biggest things you can do to prevent issues. Example: When I vacuumed for the first time, I pulled out the vacuum and just let it sit there turned off so Topo could check it out. Once he seemed pretty comfy with that, I turned it on but left it stationary. Then I put myself between him and the vacuum and moved the vacuum away from him instead of at him checking in with him every couple of seconds and telling him what a good boy he is! I think he likely would have gotten very scared if I had moved towards him instead, and that single experience can set the stage for how your dog copes with the vacuum.

07/02/2025

Fact or crap? 👀

06/02/2025

Imagine if everyone who suffered from depression, loneliness, etc. during the COVID lockdown were told that their expression of those feelings and needs was a "behavior problem" that needed "fixing." Imagine if we tried to reward or punish them out of it, rather than provide opportunities for safe social connection?

I hope that sounds ridiculous.

Unfortunately, this is how the industry has taught us to handle our dogs' emotional behaviors. Instead of social/emotional support to help the overexcited, aggressive, anxious, or stressed dog, we're told to focus on consequences to increase or decrease the behavior, as if the change in outward expression will magically fix the inner turmoil.

The industry has been telling us that relationships are transactional: "If you do this, I'll do that." But this isn't how social species, like humans and dogs, naturally relate, connect, or communicate. It's not how we heal and become healthier, happier, and behaviorally sound individuals.

It's ok to be your dog's friend, to respond with care when they are happy, sad, or angry. It's also ok to have boundaries, and to communicate them in a healthy and respectful way.

Our dogs need connection, and they need someone to listen to what they actually need from us, not what we think they need. When they feel heard and emotionally safe, behavior problems naturally disappear, because they weren't problems in the first place: they were communication.

22/01/2025

So many behavior problems in our dogs are simply …

11/01/2025

08/01/2025

If you're frustrated and struggling with your dogs behavior, you may be missing the mark with your training. It's not your fault! You are just a victim of the unregulated dog training industry and the wild west that is the internet telling you that your dog just needs formal "training".

If you're missing the mark, we can help you get back on the path to harmony with your dog! Send us a message or email for more information about our consulting options 💜

06/01/2025

👀Check out some of our recent testimonials!

If we could rate our clients, we'd give them 5 stars too! 🏅

💜Send us a message if you're looking for individualized training that prioritizes you and your dog's relationship & wellbeing!

30/12/2024

Good boy Jasper is wishing everyone a happy holiday and a new year full of smooth training!
Thank you all for your support over the last year and for being patient waiting for replies during the holidays!

18/12/2024

Want to make sure your dog is getting everything they need out of life? Check out our new wellbeing consultation offering!

Send us a message to get started 😊

17/12/2024

16/12/2024

The Family Dog Mediation Education Center has recently released The Dogs Truth for FREE to the public! This is a fantastic educational video that helps you understand your dog on a deeper level by looking at the entirety of what makes them who they are! (Learning history, Environment, Genetics, & Self individuality). By understanding where our dogs are coming from, we can have more empathy for their experiences and more realistic expectations for their behavior.

THIS is one of the best things you can do in your dog guardianship journey!

FULL PRO COURSE!https://kimbropheylegscourses.thinkific.com/courses/legs-applied-ethology-family-dog-mediation-professional-courseYOUR DOG is not broken, and...

05/12/2024

Did you know crating a dog with separation anxiety can often make the problem worse?

While crates can be a good tool for many dogs, they aren’t typically ideal for those struggling with separation anxiety. For some dogs, being confined in a crate can heighten their sense of panic, leading to attempts to escape that can even result in injury. Imagine feeling trapped while also being terrified that you are alone—this can be how a dog with separation anxiety experiences a crate.

Instead, many dogs with SA do better in a safe area or a cozy spot where they feel secure but not confined. Creating a peaceful, quiet environment with familiar scents and sounds often provides comfort and helps them feel at ease during alone time.

The key is to understand your dog’s individual needs. We’ll help you determine the best approach to creating a safe, comfortable space for your dog that can improve alone-time training. Every dog’s journey with separation anxiety is unique, and we’re here to guide you in finding the right fit.

28/10/2024

🚨 Now taking non-separation anxiety cases on a limited basis! In person vs virtual dependent on location and what your dog needs help with. Schedule your discovery call to learn about pricing and see if I may be a good fit for you and your dog!

Updated website with this information will be coming soon! 👀

11/09/2024

Hero’s ☺️

When the World Trade Center collapsed on 9/11, nearly 10,000 rescue workers joined in the efforts. Over 300 of those heroes were dogs.

09/09/2024

Welcome Jasper! 💜