Shows
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast098 The Two Minute Rule: Your Secret Weapon Against Training ProcrastinationIf you've ever put off separation anxiety training, you are definitely not alone. Procrastination in training is such a common issue. Human brains are naturally inclined to seek immediate rewards, and a session of separation training definitely doesn't deliver that. It's all about long-term pay back. No wonder then, that it can be easy to put training off. But there's a nifty hack I want to share with you, that will help you bust procrastination. It's called the Two Minute Rule. And no, it's in no way related to how long food is sa...
2023-07-3015 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast097 Separation Anxiety: Revealing the Truth Behind Social Media MisinformationIn today's episode, we're diving deep into the world of social media and its impact on our understanding of separation anxiety in dogs. We'll explore the myths, misconceptions, and misinformation that often circulate online, and how they can confuse and derail us when trying to help our pups. From miracle cures to blaming owners for their dogs' anxiety, we'll debunk at the big social media myths, and I'll share what the real truth actually is. We'll also discuss the importance of being critical consumers of information, especially when it comes to our dogs' h...
2023-07-2219 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast096 Is Separation Anxiety Training Actually Futile? No. Here's WhyEver wondered if all the separation anxiety training you do is actually worth it? Well, that very topic came up during a recent group coaching Zoom with my Separation Anxiety Heroes members. And it made me think: is separation anxiety training actually ever a waste of time? Well, I'm passionate that it is a worthwhile endeavor. Admittedly, while the gradual exposure method works for most dogs, there are some dogs that do not respond to this type of training and never recover from separation anxiety. However, even for these dogs, training is not f...
2023-07-1618 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast095 A Hard Truth: Why Not Leaving Your Dog Is Ridiculously Tough, But Absolutely NecessaryOne of the hardest things I ever have to tell anyone is that to get their dog over separation anxiety, they need to find ways not to leave their dog in the meantime. It never goes down well. And I get that. I mean, when you get a dog the last thing you sign up for is not even being able to go out to get a pint of milk without your dog howling down the house. But the thing is, in order for the gold standard separation anxiety treatment (gradual exposure) to...
2023-06-2431 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastUnderstanding the Problems with Punishment: An Interview with Dr. Karolina Westlund. On this episode of Be Right Back! Separation Anxiety Podcast, I get to chat to the brilliant Dr. Karolina Westlund, a huge name in the world of animal behaviour. Our focus? The use of punitive approaches in dog training, and in particular the problems associated with punishment. Karolina has identified 20 major pitfalls linked to punishment (she says there are likely even more!), and, in our discussion, she highlights some of the key issues. If you like the science of animal behaviour, and love a geek out, you'll be hooked by this one! To...
2023-06-0350 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast093 Beyond Obedience: Teaching Your Dog How to Feel Safe in a Daunting WorldJoin me in the latest episode of "Be Right Back! Separation Anxiety Podcast", where I explain the single most important lesson we can teach our dogs: that they are safe. In the episode, we also look at how to keep dogs safe, and why must prioritize our dog's emotional well-being above all else. We'll explore why the use of unethical, aversive training tools exploits a dog's need to be safe, and dissect why these tools can be so damaging. We'll also dive into how understanding dog body language is crucial in identifying dogs' d...
2023-05-2032 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastVacation and Travel Plans? What to Do When Routine Changes Affect Your TrainingPlanning a getaway and worried about how a routine change will impact your dog's separation anxiety, especially if you've been investing time in separation anxiety training? In this latest episode of Be Right Back! Separation Anxiety podcast, we dive into the world of routine changes, exploring the effects of going away and taking a break from training on our pups. Tune in to get my expert tips and strategies to help you and your dog navigate these changes with ease. Discover what to expect when you return, and how to smoothly transition back into your...
2023-05-0518 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastFrom Abandoned to Adored: How one Non-Profit is Helping Rescue Dogs with Separation AnxietyJoin me for an inspiring and informative episode where I interview Jenni Pfafman and Amanda Dwyer. Jenni and Amanda are on the board of the Humane Alliance of Rescue Trainers (HART) a non-profit organization that connects shelter and rescue organizations with credentialed, professional trainers. HART's trainers donate their time to support variety of behaviour cases remotely. Their training advice provides crucial support for new adopters, increasing the chances of successful placements. And in this interview we talk about how those trainers help adopters who've taken on a dog who can't be left alone. D...
2023-04-2536 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastHow to Take the Pressure off and Prevent Training Burnout On this episode of Be Right Back! Separation Anxiety Podcast, we're talking about training burnout. Following on from our discussion in the last episode when we considered what to do when you want to give up, in this episode we look at how to take the pressure off if you do want to keep pushing through. I'm going to share my 5 tips for making training feel less like a burden, less like your full-time job. And instead I show you how you can reset, so that you no longer dread training and stop hating everything...
2023-04-1726 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastDoes It Ever Make Sense To Give Up on Desensitization?Desensitization is the tried and trusted method for separation anxiety. But it's true that it can take time. It's not the most fun training process. And it doesn't work for every dog. So is it ever right to say you've given it your best shot and are giving up? Well, in this episode, I want to take you through 5 questions to help you make that decision. I don't want you to give up because I see over and over how powerful this method can be. But if you're feeling like you're do...
2023-04-0829 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastKnow Better, Do Better: Trainer Tips for Forgiving the Innocent Mistakes We All Made in the PastDiscovering that your dog has separation anxiety hits hard. One of the biggest emotions to deal with the remorse we feel for not knowing. We beat ourselves up because we left a dog who couldn't be left. We berate ourselves for missing the signs that now seem so obvious. But, as natural as it is to feel bad about what we did when we didn't know better, we do need to let go. Hanging on to that guilt isn't good for us. And it's not good for our dog. That's why in this e...
2023-04-0113 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastWant to Make Daycare Work for Your Dog? Here's HowWhen you have a dog with separation anxiety, you do your best to find ways not to leave them. Daycare is an obvious solution. But the problem is, not every dog loves daycare, and not every daycare centre is right for dogs with separation anxiety. However, at a well run daycare, dogs of all ages and personalities can benefit, including dogs with separation anxiety. In this episode, I'm going to share my advice for what to look for in a great daycare. And I give you my tips for how to sniff out...
2023-03-2525 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastSmug People and Their "Perfect" Dogs: How to Not Let Them Make You Feel Like a FailureLet's face it, people who've never had a dog with separation anxiety can be smug! They tell us about their "perfect" dog who "never had any issues being left." And they quiz us about why we "still" can't leave our dog (accompanied by yet more eye rolling). Does this sound familiar? I'm guessing it might! If so, tune into this episode where I'll be sharing my top strategies to stop their smugness making you feeling like a failure. Links For a free guide on the 6 Mistakes to Avoid when you're getting your...
2023-03-1819 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast085 What to Do When Your Dog Can't Be Alone, But Is Dog and People Reactive Too – with Jennifer PrattHaving a dog who can't be left is hard enough. But for some dogs, being around strange people or dogs is also a challenge. When this happens, it can feel like your options for managing alone-time are almost non-existent. In this podcast episode, I'm thrilled to be speaking with Jennifer Pratt. Jennifer is expert in both separation anxiety AND dogs who are fearful and agressive when out in the world. Jennifer shares her tips for working through this dilemma, using her insight not only from the many clients she's helped, but also from...
2023-03-1144 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastSophie the Romanian Rescue—Helping a Dog Who's Scared of the World with Simon WoolerIn this episode, we're not talking about separation anxiety. Instead we're looking at how to help a dog with different fears. Tune in to hear my interview with Simon Wooler. Simon has been working with Sophie the Romanian Rescue and her family, Rory Cellan-Jones and Diane Coyle. It's a wonderful, heartwarming story. Not only will you love Sophie and her humans, you'll love Simon's adivce for anyone working with a fearful dog. *** About Simon Wooler Simon is a qualified trainer, certified by the Academy for Dog Trainers, one of t...
2023-03-0454 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast4 Reasons Force-Free is the Only Choice for Separation Anxiety TrainingForce-free training is kind, ethical, and highly effective. I'm passionate that it's the only way to train dogs. But I'm especially passionate that there is absolutely no other way to train dogs with separation anxiety. In the episode I explain Why you can't treat fear with fear How attempting to punish out anxiety is cruel, ineffective and risky, and Why coercive, harsh training methods can actually make a dog more anxious about being left. Tune in to find out more. For more information on how I can help you: Visit my website...
2023-02-2522 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastThe One Critical Question You Need To Ask Each Time You TrainGradually expose your dog to increasing amounts of alone time: That's what I call the 'tight' rule of separation anxiety training. It applies universally to all dogs undergoing separation anxiety training. But underneath that universal, tight rule, lie many different ways of applying training to each dog. Yes, it's that "it depends" factor you'll keep hearing about. I've worked with so many dogs, that I've seen countless "it depends!" Overall, though, it comes back one simple question: does a particular factor make things better or worse for any one dog? It's a...
2023-02-1825 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastMotivation: 7 Easy Tips to Help You Regain Your Training MojoBy the time we get to February it can be easy to feel flat about all the good intentions we had in January, can't it? Maybe you set yourself goals to start separation anxiety training with your dog, but somehow never did. Or perhaps you got off to the races only to find life got in the way. If this sounds like you, then make sure to tune into this episode all about motivation. I'll be sharing my 7 top tips to help you get back into the training groove (or to...
2023-02-1132 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast080 What Do We Really Mean by "Evidence" and Why Does That Matter?We here a lot about "evidence" in dog training. But do we always know what we mean when we describe an approach as being "evidence-based"? And what about research and studies? We know these matter but we also know that there isn't a study for every single thing we do in dog training. Sometimes that's a problem. Sometimes it's not. And in this episode I dive into what we mean by evidence-based, how prior probability plays a part, and where the burden of proof lies when making a claim about a dog training m...
2023-02-0422 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastPercy and the Mystery of the Great RegressionI always say regressions can happen – but didn't expect it to happen to Percy. Not after all these years! But in summer 2022, we discovered that Percy was struggling when we left. Percy, the dog who, we thought, had left home-alone anxiety behind him, was now barking when we were out. In this episode, I dive into what exactly was going on. How it was such a relief when I worked it out. And what I did to get Percy back on track.
2023-01-2726 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastWhy it's Not Your Fault – Or Your Dog's Fault EitherYou may have heard me say that your dog's separation anxiety is not your fault. You didn't cause your dog's home alone issues. I've been where you are and I know how much judgment you have to deal with, and how much guilt you can end up having when you have a dog with SA. But it's not your dog's fault either. That's why, in this episode, I explain what's really going on with your dog, and why he or she is not trying to turn your world upside down. He can't help...
2023-01-2022 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastCan "Calming" Music Really Soothe Your Anxious Dog?You've most likely seen ads or posts about "calming" music for dogs, and how it can transform a nervous pup into a dog who confidently aces alone time. But is this really the case, or is this yet another separation anxiety myth? If you do use music when you leave, you might also have heard that you'll make things worse by tipping off your dog. But is this so? There's lots of misinformation about using music (and TV and other noise for that matter). That's why in this episode of the Be...
2023-01-1322 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastWhy Board and Train is Such Bad News for Dogs with Separation AnxietyIt can seem like an obvious solution to your dog's separation anxiety: send your dog off to a trainer for two weeks and get his separation anxiety magically cured. As tempting as it sounds, board and train is never the answer to separation anxiety. In this podcast episode, I explain exactly why.
2023-01-0628 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast075 The Truth about Whether Your Anxiety Caused Your Dog's AnxietyAnxious people create anxiety in their dogs, don't they? Perhaps you've been told that. Perhaps you've thought that. It seems so plausible that it must be true, right? Well, not so fast. There isn't a ton of evidence, especially as it relates to separation anxiety. That's why in this podcast I debunk this theory, and explain why it's unhelpful, limited thinking. Tune in to find out more.
2022-12-2315 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast074 How To Deal With Judgy Comments and Unhelpful Advice This Festive SeasonIt's that time of year: gathering with friends and family for cosy times, festive food, and…conversations about your dog. If it feels like everyone you know is an expert in separation anxiety then you're probably bracing yourself for heaps of unsolicited, unhelpful advice, from people who mean well, but who just don't get it. Or maybe, you're not going anywhere because you can't leave your dog, and you've already had the advice. "Just leave him - it's only a few hours", and so on. You know how it goes. If this resonates with...
2022-12-1814 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast073 All About Dogs and Pain With Canine Rehab Expert Sue Van EvraIncreasingly research shows the link between pain and behavior in dogs. While it's not the only reason dog's present with behavioral challenges, it can be a significant contributing factor. And that's why in the episode I chat with canine rehabilitation specialist, Sue Van Evra. Sue is the person we go to when our dogs, India and Percy, are feeling stiff and sore. She's helped them deal with lots of different challenges including back pain and hip soreness. But more than that, with her guidance on preventative physiotherapy, India and Percy have remained sprightly and active i...
2022-11-2440 min
Step Inside The Thrilling Full Audiobook Experience!Be Right Back! by Julie NaismithPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/31435to listen full audiobooks.
Title: Be Right Back!
Author: Julie Naismith
Narrator: Julie Naismith
Format: mp3
Length: 5 hrs and 53 mins
Release date: 11-09-22
Ratings: 4 out of 5 stars, 4 ratings
Genres: Pets & Animal Care
Publisher's Summary:
Is caring for your stressed-out dog making you feel like a prisoner in your own home? Does your dog freak-out when you leave? Globally respected, certified dog trainer Julie Naismith has helped thousands of stressed owners get their dogs past separation anxiety.
2022-11-095h 53Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast072 How To Stop the Feeling that Training is Taking Over Your Life No one gets up in the morning and puts on a t-shirt saying "I can't wait to do separation anxiety training today". And so it can be easy to find that life gets in the way, and we end up not training. Or, when we do train, we're ALL about the training. So much so, that it feels like that's all we do. If this sounds familiar, just know that this is perfectly normal. It happens to everyone! That's why in this episode of the Be Right Back! Podcast I dive into super-practical ti...
2022-06-1715 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast071 What's Really Going On in Your Dog's Brain When Training WobblesOh, those infuriating dips, drops, setbacks, and regression. There isn't a dog parent out there who doesn't go through ups and downs in separation anxiety training. The thing is, though, what we see as confounding and confusion variable progression is actually very normal. And when we understand what's going on in a dog's brain when they learn to be home alone, it makes begins to make so much sense. Tune in to find out more what happens as your dog learns, and how you can use that information to improve your t...
2022-04-2622 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast070 Relax! What We Really Mean by Relaxation in Separation Anxiety Training and Why That MattersYou might be thinking you aren't ever going to make any progress with separation anxiety training because your dog won't stay on her bed. Or maybe she starts on her bed but always follows you to the door and waits there. She needs to relax, right? Well, yes and no. We definitely need our dogs to show no anxiety when doing home alone training. But that doesn't mean she has to stay put. Listen to find out more.
2022-04-0620 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast069 Why We Expect Too Much of Dogs and How to Redress The BalanceSo many behaviors that come naturally to dogs are problems for us humans. Think barking, chewing, jumping up, counter-surfing – you name it! No wonder dogs get confused and get it wrong. And no wonder we get frustrated. That's why in this episode, I'm thrilled to share an interview with Jane Robinson, Chair of the Association for Pet Dog Trainers, UK, about our expectations for dogs, and how we can make our communication with them less frustrating for all concerned.
2022-03-2441 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast068 3 Strategies for Self-Compassion with Christal Allen-HarrahillIf, recently, you've caught yourself thinking that your problems are insignificant "in the scheme of things", then you are not alone. When we see war and devastation in the news everyday it can be easy to think that our problems don't matter. But someone else's suffering doesn't make your situation magically okay. That's why in this episode, I chatted with Certified Life Coach, Christal Allen-Harrahill and asked her to share her tips for dealing with our own emotions while processing the disasters we see unfold around the world. The big takeaway t...
2022-03-1924 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast067 4 Separation Anxiety Notions You Need To RejectSadly, we are fed a huge volume of incorrect advice about separation anxiety. And whenever we get bombarded with information, we start to believe what we are told, whether that information is fact-based or not. That's why, in this episode, I go through four of the most commonly-held beliefs about separation anxiety that we must reject.
2022-03-1312 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast066 Separation Anxiety Dogs at the VetsSeparation anxiety dogs fear two things the most: being alone and being crated. Vet stays create a perfect storm of both of these factors. There are ways we can help make vet procedures less stressful for these dogs though. And in this episode I share six tips for helping make the process go as smoothly as it can.
2022-03-0616 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastWhich Way Would Dogs Vote?No dog ever voted for being left home alone. Yet, the average dog has learned to put up with our comings and goings. They welcome our return with tail-wagging joy. "You're home! How wonderful for us both!" It's different for dogs with separation anxiety. They don't cope with being left home alone the way average dogs do. Given a choice, they would never want us to leave them! "Don't go! I can't cope!" And so, as long as we have jobs, medical appointments, and social lives, we owe it to the dogs who live w...
2022-01-0819 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastDoes It Ever Pay To Train When You're Away From Home?During the holidays, many of us are on the road visiting family and friends. And I'm often asked whether it's worth training when you're away. That's why in this episode I dive into the pros and cons of doing separation anxiety training away from home. If you're traveling this festive season, tune in to find out what your best plan of action should be!
2021-12-0916 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast063 Answered! Your Most Frequently Asked Questions (Part 1)Having seen 1000s of owners go through separation anxiety training, I've got a pretty good sense of the most common questions people have, to say the least! That's why in this episode and next, I'm giving you the answers to the most frequently questions that come up, including how often should you train, how long should a training session be and is following bad? Tune in to find out the answers!
2021-11-0916 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastEmergency! What to Do When You're Left with No Choice but to Leave Your DogAs much as I know you're 100% committed to managing absences, what happens in an emergency? As horrible as it is to think about bad things happening is does pay to have a contingency plan should disaster strike. In this episode I look at how to plan for those rare occurrences where you might, just might, need to leave your dog. Hopefully, you'll never be faced with such a dilemma but if you do, planning ahead can help you.
2021-10-2422 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast7 Facts About Crating That You Absolutely Need To KnowThere are few, if any, aspects of separation anxiety that create more mythology than crating. I see way too much muddled and confusing advice, and I can see that many of you struggle to get your head around whether or not to crate your dog. To clear things, up this episode covers the seven facts about crating that you absolutely need to know.
2021-10-1720 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastWhy You Absolutely Must Leave Your Puppy Home AloneYou've heard the horror stories about people getting pandemic puppies only to find that their pup grows into a dog they can't leave. You're so scared that this will happen to your puppy that you just don't dare leave him. You've taken on board all the advice about how this is a bad strategy. But you missed the bit about how you do need to leave them – as long as you so within context of gradual home-alone training. In this episode I'm going to show you why, if you're worried about leaving your puppy, you do...
2021-10-0917 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastIs It Really a Problem If Your Dog Really Follows You to the Door?You've started training. You manage to get to the door or even out of the door but... ...your dog is following you the whole time. Big problem, right? Well, maybe but maybe not. You see anxiety isn't always the reason dogs follow us to the door during training. And just because your dog is following you, that doesn't mean to say your training is a write-off. In this episode I explain when following is okay and when it's not. And I look out what to do with a dog who waits b...
2021-10-0320 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastIt Happens to Trainers Too!Don't think for a minute that your dog getting separation anxiety is a result of you being an inadequate dog parent, or down to you being clueless about what you're doing. Not at all! Plenty of dog professionals and dog trainers have dogs who develop separation anxiety too. In this episode I'm chatting to Certified SA Pro Trainers, Beth Berkobien and Jo Sellers, about their own dogs' journeys with separation anxiety. They share their stories and give you some trainers tips for how best you can navigate the separation anxiety journey.
2021-09-2543 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastWhen Myths Become TruthsDoes it seem like there's a ton of conflicting advice out there about separation anxiety? I can totally see why you might think that and why that might leave you feeling overwhelmed, not knowing what to do. But here's the thing, the way we get dogs over separation anxiety – gradually getting them used to alone-time – isn't a secret. And it's pretty much accepted as the standard method, by people who know about these things. The confusion you're feeling is down to conflicting opinions (not advice) from professionals, online commentators, and maybe even friends and family.
2021-09-1833 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastCan You Ever Really Convince A Skeptical Other Half?Has your dog's separation anxiety been the cause of a few tense moments between you and your other half? Perhaps they think you're being too soft on your dog. Maybe they think the training is taking too long and that you should just let your dog cry it out. If this sounds familiar, then tune into this episode where I share my tips for doing separation anxiety training the right way even if your partner isn't bought into the training method.
2021-09-1120 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastThe 7 Common Separation Anxiety Training Errors – And What You Can Learn From ThemSeparation anxiety training takes effort and it takes time. And there are a fair few mistakes that are easy to commit and which make training all the harder. That's why, in the episode, I spill the beans on the errors that I see people make over and over. I'll also share my tips and tricks to help you avoid these, and so ensuring your training far more efficient and much less painful!
2021-09-0428 min
PPG PodcastBARKS podcast with Geek Week Presenters Irith Bloom, Paula Garber, Julie Naismith, Suzanne Clothier, & Dr. Simon GadboisJoin Niki Tudge as she Chats and Chuckles with Irith Bloom, Paula Garber, Julie Naismith, Suzanne Clothier, and Dr. Simon Gadbois about their planned sessions for Geek Week 2021. Listen as they explore their topics and what registrants can expect to learn from each of their sessions.
Register for Geek Week 2021 at: www.GeekWeek.Rocks
Geek Week 2021 (November 13-17) Features: More than 90 events with live Q&A sessions, Educational content streaming 24 hours a day over 5 days, Academic, Behavior and Consulting tracks, 70+ top notch, internationally renowned speakers, Special rates for Animal S...
2021-08-3045 min
A Voice and Beyond#25. Creating a Safe Space of Connectivity and Caring in the Voice Studio with Julie-Anne WhitfieldToday's guest is Julie-Anne Whitfield.Every day in Australia, nine people end their lives by suicide and this is more than double the national road toll. For every one person who dies, there are 39 attempted suicides. What is even more frightening about these figures is that they are pre COVID -19 statistics and these numbers have increased dramatically over the past twelve months. This week’s guest is Julie-Anne Whitfield who has been a Hospitality & Training Professional for over 35 years and four years ago, she proudly became an ambassador for RUOK? RUOK is a non for...
2021-08-231h 05
Secret LifeEp. 76 Julie Naismith of Subthreshold TrainingPet Parent to Pet Trainer.... Pet Trainer to Local Business Owner.... Local Business Owner to global entrepreneur...
Today's guest, Julie Naismith, hails from across the pond and came to Canada for "adventure." She got a little more than she bargained for when she chose 2020 to launch her online business.
While many entrepreneurs pulled back during the pandemic, Julie forged ahead and says, she'd do it all over again. Tune in to learn about her journey from authorship, to being a trainer and now an entrepreneur who sees mistakes and failure as a sign that success is...
2021-04-1227 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastWhy You Need To Know What's Normal For Your DogWhen we're deep into separation anxiety training we get really good at observing our dogs when they are alone. So good in fact, that we can sometimes overlook getting to know what their body language is at other times. But in order to understand what's going on when doing departure training, we have to know what's normal for our dogs. Tune into this episode for tips on reading your dog in all sorts of situations. Plus, grab your free downloadable observation sheet here.
2021-01-0825 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast053 A Guide to the Technology You Need for TrainingSeparation anxiety training has been revolutionized by video technology, in particular being able to watch your dog remotely. But it can be tricky to know what to pick and how to set up the tech you need without breaking the bank. In this episode I explain why tech matters and I guide you through your options, fancy and not-so-fancy. There's an option for every budget and it needn't be daunting.
2020-12-2311 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastCould Training Be Making Your Dog Worse?It might not make much sense – you train, and train, and train, but your dog's anxiety seems to be getting worse not better. Well, it can happen. But it is totally avoidable. So, if you think separation anxiety training is actually making your dog clingier and more on edge tune in to find out what to do.
2020-12-0917 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast051 Why You Don't Need To Worry About Your Dog Sleeping On Your BedIf you're feeling guilty or concerned about your dog sleeping on your bed because you think it might be making his separation anxiety worse, don't be. There really is no evidence to this. And in fact, suddenly forcing your dog to sleep elsewhere could make things worse. Check out this episode where I explain exactly why.
2020-12-0113 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast050 Using Food in Separation Anxiety Training? Here's Why That's Not WorkingAre you leaving food when you go out only to find that your dog either doesn't touch it, or consumes it only to fall apart? You've probably been told that this is the way to go, that leaving a puzzle feeder stuffed with goodness will stop your dog freaking out when you're not home. Sadly this advice is often misguided, and doesn't work for most dogs. In this week's podcast I explain why food fails. And I'll also give you a specific example where good can be useful.
2020-11-2422 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast049 The 5 Types of Guilt All Owners Feel – And How to Stop Feeling That WayAs if having a dog with separation anxiety isn't hard enough, most owners also deal with a ton of guilt about their dog's condition. I know I did! In today's episode I examine the types of guilt I see most commonly. And I share tips on how to deal with those feelings so that you can focus your energy on what matters – getting your dog over this.
2020-11-1732 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast048 Two Dogs or More? What to do When Your Non-Anxious Dog is the TriggerAh, the joy of having more than one dog. Watching them interact, seeing them negotiate the social space: having more than one dog can be bliss. But if you have a dog with separation anxiety it can be chaos, especially when the non-anxious dog barks at the world outside and immediately sets off your anxious dog. If this sounds like your household help is at hand! In this episode, I explain how you can train your dog to overcome separation anxiety despite attempts by your other dogs to sabotage the process!
2020-11-1220 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast047 How to Not Feel Deflated When Meds Don't WorkAnxiety medications can make a huge difference to separation anxiety training. But not in every case. That means we can easily get our hopes up only to find that our dog is one of those cases. If this is you and your dog, tune into this episode to find out why meds might not be working and what you can do if they don't.
2020-10-2728 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast046 Why Does Your Training Seem So Up And Down?It can definitely seem like dogs are all over the map with their ability to cope alone. Some days they ace training. Other days they fall apart. But just why do they do this? And what, if anything, can you do to smooth things out?
2020-10-2123 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast045 5 Tips for When You Feel Like Quitting TrainingIf you feel like you've had enough and want to quit training, just know that you are not alone. Everyone at some point wants to give up. Separation anxiety training is hard, unrewarding, and definitely not the most fun thing you'll ever do with your dog. So before you do throw in the towel, check out my 5 tips for helping you get back on track.
2020-10-1416 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast044 Is separation anxiety training actually unethical? No. Here's whyI've heard some chatter recently that separation anxiety training is unethical and inhumane. The argument goes that dogs are such social creatures that training them to be alone is cruel. Well, it's not. People have to go out. Dogs need to be able to cope with that. What is actually unethical is NOT giving them the skills they need to be okay with inevitable alone time. Tune in to find out more.
2020-08-2213 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast043 Why I'm So Passionately For AND Against Crates.It can seem really confusing when your dog will sleep all night in a crate but when you try to leave your dog in a crate when you go out he loses it. And that's why I both love and hate crates. In the right context, at the right time, they are amazing tools. But how can we work out when it's right to use a crate and what do we do when crating goes wrong? Listen to find out.
2020-08-1412 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast042 Making Your Dog Happy - Why it Matters and How Science Shows Us What to doShould we worry about our dog's happiness? Yes! Can we improve their lives and make them happier? Absolutely we can. And in this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Zazie Todd, Author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy. Zazie explains why our dog's happiness should matter to us. She explores what makes dogs happy, the role we play in that, how training methods can affect happiness. And she shows how science underpins all of this.Join me for this fascinating interview.
2020-06-1144 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast041 Not One, but TWO dogs with SA—How Jen Struggled, Managed and SucceededIn this podcast, I interview Jen Sadler, the owner of Gus, the amazing Shih Tzu Tibetan Spaniel cross. Jen's hard work helped Gus triumph over his separation anxiety. Their journey was not a short one. But after the span of a year, and despite the adoption of another dog with separation anxiety (!), the whole family is now in a very happy place.
2020-05-2844 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast040 Fetch! (It's Time to Set the Record Straight)Fetch gets such bad press. It's all too often billed as an activity that does nothing but gets dogs amped-up and stressed-out. As a result, dogs everywhere are being denied access to something that's natural, normal, and hugely enriching. I really don't know where this all started or why so many trainers and owners state "fetch is bad for anxious dogs as it makes it hard for them to calm down". There is zero evidence to support this. In fact, we do have volumes of evidence that not providing animals with access to a...
2020-05-1526 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast039 5 Big Separation Anxiety Lockdown MythsIt's almost impossible to avoid not having a read an article or seen something on the news telling you your dog will absolutely lose it when you go back to work. The thing is, this might not be the case. As ever with dogs, there's lots of misinformation and plenty of myths. That's why, this week, I bust the Big 5 Separation Anxiety Lockdown Myths.
2020-05-0912 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast038 Is It True That Quarantine is Bad News for Separation Anxiety?Are you worried that being with your dog 24/7 will make his separation anxiety worse? Or is your previously non-clingy dog suddenly following you everywhere? If so then tune into this episode where I'll share with you the science of what exactly is going on with your dog's brain when he's got constant company. And I'll give you some tips and tricks to help you return to normality without your dog going into complete meltdown.
2020-04-2016 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast037 What To Do When Reactivity And Separation Anxiety Collide!What do you do when you can't leave your dog at home but his reactivity prevents you from leaving him somewhere else? Ugh! It's the trickiest of tricky problems when your anxious home alone dog doesn't like strangers or other dogs. But in this week's episode, I'm going to share how — with a bit more work, admittedly — you can manage absences even if your dog is reactive.
2020-03-0616 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast036 Pain In Dogs—Why It's An Even Bigger Deal Than We Think, But Often So Easy To MissIn this episode, I chat with the amazing Julie McKinney Miller a canine physical therapist (physio to those of us outside the US) who educates and empowers dog parents about physical therapy, massage, exercise. Julie offers online courses and consulting to help owners help their dogs live their best lives! Julie spills the beans and busts some longstanding myths about physical conditioning, injury, exercise, and pain. Pain and anxiety are so often linked. Tune into this episode to find out how we could actually detect and manage pain much earlier by being more aw...
2020-02-2743 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastBonus: Dog Professionals, Could There Actually Be Some "Easy" Aspects To Separation Anxiety Training?"Separation anxiety training easy? Is she out of her mind?" Okay, to be clear I'm not saying that separation anxiety cases are easy – far from it! It's just that there are some unique aspects to separation anxiety training that are pluses, and which can make the training less daunting and more effective.
2020-02-2616 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast035 Rethinking the Big 4 Myths of Departure Cue TrainingWhat if all the training we've been doing with departure cues and triggers could be simplified? What if we didn't have to worry about departure triggers at all? In this episode I'm going to explain why I think we can make things simpler, thus setting us and our dogs up for more success.
2020-02-2117 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastBONUS: Calling All Dog Professionals! Why Do Separation Anxiety Cases Seem So Hard To Resolve?If you're a dog professional–a trainer, a behaviourist, behaviour consultant–do you feel that separation anxiety cases are hard to resolve? If you do, know that you're not alone. It seems that across our profession separation anxiety cases are seen this way. In this special bonus episode recorded for professionals like you, I want to dive into whether they are really any harder to resolve than other cases. And I'll set out what I think we can do to change this view.
2020-02-1837 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast034 6 Things You Need to Do If You Feel Like Quitting TrainingWhat to do when you feel like giving up If you're anything like any owner I've ever worked with (and hundreds have used my system now) you'll have moments where you want to give up separation anxiety training. But if you feel like this then I'm here to talk you down from the ledge. Yes, it's hard. It's often boring. But it is doable and will be worth it. Listen to find out that 6 things that will help turn things around for you when you're at your lowest ebb.
2020-02-1413 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast033 Are You Really The Problem? Separation Anxiety Cause and PreventionIf your dog has separation anxiety, has anyone ever told you that you caused it. That you're the problem? Of course they have. Frequently I bet! Seems like when it comes to separation anxiety it's all our fault—or so we're told. That's why in this episode I'm going to bust that particular myth (yes, it's a BIG myth!). And I'm going to dive into what you could have done to prevent separation anxiety.
2020-02-0716 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast032 5 Steps To Helping Your New Rescue Get Over His Fear Of Being AloneHave you adopted a dog only to find that they aren't settling in quite as you'd hoped? Is your rescue dog struggling every time you leave the house? Or maybe he's freaking when you leave the room! If so, this episode is for you as I'm going to share my 5 recommended steps for getting a rescue dog over their fear of being alone in their new home.
2020-01-3112 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast031 What's The ONE Thing That Makes All The Difference to Separation Anxiety Recovery?In this episode, we're going to explore the one, big thing that's most crucial to getting your dog over separation anxiety – consistency. Interestingly though, most of us often overlook consistency, instead focusing on absolute duration. But duration is nothing without you being confident your dog can achieve that time after time. Learn more about why predictablity is so critical and how you can ensure your training delivers consistency.
2020-01-2417 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast030 Why Some Solutions That Seem to Work Aren't Actually Working for Your DogThere are plenty of solutions that claim to work for fixing separation anxiety. But in this episode, I explain why those so-called solutions might not be working for you, and why, if we asked your dog, your dog would say they definitely don't work for them. I'll also explain the kind, humane solution that does work and is dog-approved!
2020-01-0316 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast029 Why is There so Much Owner Guilt?There are so many ways in which owners whose dogs have separation anxiety have to deal with guilt. And in this week's episode of the Fixing Separation Anxiety podcast, we're going to look at those guilty feelings and I'll going to share my tips for helping you feel less guilty (even though that might seem hard!).
2019-12-0614 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast028 Why I Committed to Writing a Book (Even Though I Knew It Would Take Over My Life!)This month my new book, Be Right Back! came out. It's been a labour of love and it comes from the heart. With Be Right Back! I'm trying to help make the world even just a tiny bit better for dogs and owners. I want to share with you the story of how the book came about, and how the book get help you get your dog over separation anxiety.
2019-11-2611 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast027 5 Tips for Moving House When Your Dog Has Separation Anxiety Moving house is hard enough but when your dog has separation anxiety it becomes a whole new level of difficult. In this episode I'll help you make your move go smoothly, whether you've already moved or are thinking about moving.
2019-09-2013 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastPro Tips for Helping your Puppy be Happy Home AlonePuppies don't get separation anxiety...do they? Yes! They can, and do. Instead of just assuming that your puppy is going to be okay when you leave, you need to teach your puppy home alone skills, just as you would teach them house training or leash walking. If you have a new puppy, or are thinking about getting one, tune in to find out how to help him or her to be happy on when left.
2019-09-0619 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastThe Truth About Whether dogs Every Really Just Get Over It"You just need to let your dog get over it." I'm pretty sure you've heard this one: But does that actually work? Well, some people swear it does. That's why in this episode we're looking at whether dogs can "just get over" their separation anxiety. And for those situations where owners swear their dogs did get over this without any intervention, what exactly might be going on.
2019-08-1516 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastWhat You Need to Know to Actually Fix Separation AnxietyIn the second part of our focus on separation anxiety training, what works, and why, we're diving deep into the exact steps you need to follow if you want to get your dog over separation anxiety. We look at how training is modeled on the phobia treatment we use for humans. And we talk about why using a training plan and being clear about criteria are critical to success.
2019-08-0617 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastWhy Everything You've Tried Has Failed And What Will Actually Work InsteadToday's episode is part 1 of a 2 part series looking at why everything you've tried to fix separation anxiety hasn't worked (this week), and what you need to do instead if you want to get your dog over separation anxiety (next week).
2019-07-2325 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast3 Trainer Tips For Dealing With A Dog Who's Super Attached To YouWe all adore dogs because of the unconditional love they give us. But when that love turns into a focus on you, when it's all about you and no one else will do, that love becomes a freedom-limiting problem for you and your dog. In this episode, I'm going to talk about how you know when you've got one of these hyper-attached dogs. And I'm going to share my top 3 tips for how to handle it.
2019-07-1618 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastWhat You Need to Know About The 7 Stages of Separation Anxiety RecoveryIn this episode, we look at what it really means to get a dog over separation anxiety, how we answer the question "how long will it take, and what the stages of recovery involves.
2019-07-0917 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast5 Big Reasons People Quit Separation Anxiety TrainingOn this week's episode, I'm going to talk about why separation anxiety training can be so hard, and why so many of us give up before we've given it a chance. I'll also look at why it's not just owners that find it hard, that trainers do too. And how standards in dog training would help everyone achieve successful separation anxiety training.
2019-06-1117 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast3 Tips To Help You Smash Separation Anxiety TrainingIf you think you've tried separation anxiety training and it didn't work, you need to listen to this episode. I'm going to explain what separation anxiety training is (and what it's not) and I'm going to share my top tips for acing your training. Topics: [02:10] Separation anxiety training is all about showing your dog that being on it's own is okay. [02:21] Desensitization means we take a really small amount of what the dog is frightened of and we expose the dog to it at an intensity that the dog can handle. [03:39] The key is using a...
2019-06-0412 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastHow to Fix 3 Common Types of BarkingIn this episode, we discuss the 3 main types of problem barking, what causes problem barking, and how can tackle it. Topics: [00:36] How you can tackle home alone barking and different types of problem barking [01:08] Watch-dog barking: a common form of barking [02:05] Responds to management: blocking out sounds and sights [04:38] How to train your dog to a behaviour that's incompatible with barking [07:56] How spooky barking is different from watch-dog barking [09:22] Changing how the dog feels about outside noises [09:42] Using a technique called "counter conditioning" [12:33] Determining if it is frustrated barking or fearful barking [14:05] How video can help yo...
2019-05-2821 min
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastWhat Do You Need To Know About Your Senior Dog's Anxiety?Owning a senior dog is both a responsibility and a privilege. And if you care for a senior dog you'll know to expect all sorts of changes. One change that we can see in older dogs is that they can start to develop anxiety at being left, even if they've been fine all their lives. In today's episode, I'm going to explain what to look for, what might be going on with your senior dog and what actions to take. Topics: [01:11] Big 3 signs that your senior dog might be starting to feel a...
2019-05-2114 min
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast5 Tips You Need To Know Before You Hire a Trainer In this week's episode, I'm going to give you my top tips for finding the right separation anxiety trainer for you and your dog. Separation anxiety training isn't easy but it does have a high success rate. With the right method, lots of time, and plenty of patience there's a really good chance you can get your dog over separation anxiety. If you are looking for help in the form of trainer here are my top 5 tips. Topics: [0:43] Separation anxiety training is not easy but it does have a high success rate. [01:39] Getting a trainer is a rea...
2019-05-1419 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastHow To Cope With Dogs Who Hate The CarToday we're talking about a different type of anxiety, but one that many separation anxiety dogs have: anxiety over car journeys. For the most part cars predict good things for dogs. So why do so many dogs seem to have issues with car rides? Why do some dogs find cars journeys so scary. And if your dog whines, cries or barks in the car what can you can do about it? Dogs can seem to have a love hate relationship with cars. Some dogs love the car for getting to the park or the beach...
2019-05-0718 min
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastWhy You Need to Stop the Sky Falling on Your Dog's HeadThis week we're going to be looking at how we can make the world a less scary place for your dog. And why that matters so much to him, to you, and your training. We'll look at why training stalls if you can't protect your dog from his panic. And we'll talk about how you can find ways not to leave your dog, even if that seems impossible right now. Last week I went to a seminar presented by leading vet behaviourist, Dr. Karen Overall.. One statement she made really struck me: "the...
2019-04-3019 min
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastHow Can You Really Tell If It's Fear or Frustration?Description: When your dog barks, chews, or destroys when he's home alone, how can you be certain that it's separation anxiety and not something else? Lots of dogs do these things when they are left, but not all of are anxious behaviours. Today's topics is whether your dog have more frustrations than it has fear. The things that your dog gets up to at home when they are alone are not all cause by fear. Behaviors can look very similar to anxious behaviors. In this episode, we will try to understand and identify whether it's f...
2019-04-1617 min
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast4 Tips For Handling Dogs Who Deviate From Your PlanDoes your dog seem to be all over the place with training? Is he okay on Saturdays but awful on Wednesdays? Does he do well when you leave but fall apart if your other half does the training? If this sounds like your dog and heck, most dogs do something like this to a degree then you need to tune in to this week's podcast. I'm going to share the 4 Step process I use with my clients when situations like this crop up. On this week's episode, I'm talking about something many of you are curious...
2019-04-1118 min
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastThe Difference Between Training and Real LifeI hear many dog owners concerned that their dogs can tell the difference between separation anxiety training and real-life departures. I understand how that makes you worried that you're never going to be able to leave your dog for real. In this episode, I explain what exactly is going on with training versus real life and why it's not really a problem. I will also share some tips on how you can get out of the door for real. Topics: [01:22] On not knowing what dogs are thinking [01:34] Modern dog training does not revolve around a...
2019-04-0217 min
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastThe Ultimate Guide To CBD Oil And Separation AnxietyIf you've been doing research to help your dog with separation anxiety, it is likely that you've come across CBD oil. In this special Facebook Live episode, we'll discuss if CBD oil is the new miracle cure for dogs with separation anxiety or just another false hope for dog owners. We'll also also discuss what we know so far about CDB oil as treatment for separation anxiety in dogs, how it is different from cannabis, and its side effect profile, among many others. If you're considering using CBD oil for your dog's separation anxiety, today's episode is...
2019-03-1821 min
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety PodcastHow To Cope With A Dog Who Soils When You Go OutIs there a more disappointing aspect to dog parenting thank coming home to find your dog has soiled the house? This is especially crushing when your dog is 100% housetrained the rest of the time. In this episode, we look at why some dogs only do this when you leave, and we explore the remedy for home alone housetraining. We'll also look at how you can tidy up housetraining in dogs where there might be more frequent slip-ups.
2019-03-1113 min
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast008 Does Excessive Greeting Mean Your Dog Has Separation Anxiety?We used to think that a key sign of separation anxiety was a dog who went bonkers when you came home. But now we know that just because he's doing the whole jack-in-the-box routine, doesn't mean he was freaking out while you were gone.
2019-03-0414 minBe Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast007 2 Arguments For Why Your Dog Is Ok In the CarIs your dog one of those who is okay being alone in the car, even though he loses it when you leave him at home? It's surprising how many dogs are. In this week's episode, I put forward two arguments as to why this might be the case
2019-02-0713 min