How To Properly Address Separation Anxiety and Dog Reactivity

Separation anxiety and dog reactivity are 2 very common problems dog Montreal area dog owners face.   

Ricardo and his Doodle Esme came to see Family K9 Dog Training for help with both of these issues.

Many owners and their dogs struggle with separation anxiety and like Ricardo did. Ricardo sought help from multiple montreal area dog  trainers.  Nothing they did helped.  He trained with esme for the better part of 2 years and made no progress whatsoever.

When he reached out for help it was evident that he is a very dedicated dog owner and wanted to do right by his dog – he hadn’t given up hope, they just needed to find a better way to resolve these common canine behavioural problems.

Esme came in for Family K9’s In Kennel/Board & Train program and her progress was just gorgeous.

After a 3 week in kennel training program @ Family K9 Dog Training they were reunited and this is a big day on so many levels:

  • The dog doesn’t know the owner is coming to get them.
  • Think about the dog with separation anxiety and what this does to them emotionally.
  • The dog reunited with the owner and then we ask her to go into her crate and relax.
  • Previously Esme could not be in a crate for even a moment without freaking out, barking, screaming and trying to fight her way out.
  • Now she can go into the crate and settle down!
  • Door open – she’ll stay in!
  • Leave her alone with the door shut – no barking at all.   

Onto her dog reactivity:

  • Out come my trouble maker out sisters Lily and Ruby!
  • Esme had no trouble remaining focused and walked beautifully on a nice loose leash.  She also demonstrated her calmness in the crate with another dog right nearby.
  • Finally we went outside where the dogs all got to zoom around and have a blast and Esme did several perfect off leash recalls.   

Many dog owners struggle with issues with their dog’s behaviour that are so simple to address with the right technique and mindset.   

If you have worked with your dog, worked with a trainer or several and are not where you’d like to be yet – don’t give up.  Family K9 Dog Training specializes in helping owners with challenging dogs and behaviour.If you have worked with your dog, worked with a trainer or several and are not where you’d like to be yet – don’t give up.   In fact many clients have already gone to other trainer and not had results that proved to be useful.  Let Family K9 Dog Training help you have the dog and relationship with your dog that you’ve always wanted but never thought possible.

Ricardo and Esme reuniting @ our transfer lesson after not seeing one another for three weeks. Both of them are practicing being calm to minimize any setbacks and doing a great job.  
Ricardo and Esme reuniting @ our transfer lesson after not seeing one another for three weeks. Both of them are practicing being calm to minimize any setbacks and doing a great job.  
Esme can now calmly go into a crate and settle down right away.
Esme can now calmly go into a crate and settle down right away.
She exhibits calmness and a sense of comfort and well-being that was not at all present before our training.  Before our work together she would typically  panic in a crate and bark, screams nd fight with the crate risking injury.
She exhibits calmness and a sense of comfort and well-being that was not at all present before our training.  Before our work together she would typically  panic in a crate and bark, screams nd fight with the crate risking injury.
Her dog reactivity as seen here is all but a distant memory. Here she is on place with Lucky, A Portuguese water dog - who was in for dog reactivity (among a long list of other issues). Both dogs are calm and cool and able to remain relaxed and focused.
Her dog reactivity as seen here is all but a distant memory. Here she is on place with Lucky, A Portuguese water dog – who was in for dog reactivity (among a long list of other issues). Both dogs are calm and cool and able to remain relaxed and focused.