Gentle support for dogs with separation anxiety wherever you are.
Fear Free • Science-based • Gentle • Fully Remote
Is this program for me?
- My dog is fine the moment I am home but falls apart the second I leave.
- I haven’t left the house in months because I can’t bear to hear him cry.
- I’ve tried everything I’ve read online, and nothing seems to work.
- I feel like I’m failing my dog, no matter what I try.
- I’ve stopped making plans because I can’t ask anyone to deal with the barking.
- Every time I close the door, the guilt hits me before I even get in the car.
“I just want to know:
does this actually get better?”
Yes, it can get better.
And no, separation anxiety isn’t your fault.
Is this really separation anxiety?
Not sure if this is separation anxiety, or if your dog is just still settling in? It’s a fair question—and a common one.
True separation anxiety isn’t about spite, stubbornness, or your dog “getting back at you.” It’s panic. Your dog isn’t misbehaving when you leave; they’re genuinely afraid of being left alone, even in their own home. Because the fear comes from your departure, what actually helps is very different from traditional obedience training.
It’s also completely normal for a newly adopted dog, or one who has recently gone through a major life change, to need time to adjust. Some unsettled behaviour during the first few weeks is expected and often improves naturally with routine and patience.
However, if it’s been going on for months, seems to be getting worse rather than better, or your dog shows genuine signs of panic (rather than mild whining or frustration), that’s usually a sign that additional support would help.
Either way, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Common signs of separation anxiety in dogs
Every dog shows it differently, but these are some of the most common signs.
Vocalisation
Barking, whining or howling that begins shortly after you leave.
Destructive Behaviour
Chewing doors, furniture or window sills, especially near exits.
Stress Signals
Pacing, panting or drooling even when the environment isn’t hot.
House Soiling
Toileting indoors despite previously being reliably house-trained.
Escape Attempts
Trying to escape crates, rooms or even the house itself.
Won’t Settle
Ignoring food, enrichment toys or treats while you’re away.
Some dogs begin showing signs the moment you pick up your keys. Others appear fine at first and only struggle after they’ve been alone longer than they can cope with.
If any of this sounds familiar, an initial assessment can help identify what’s really happening with your dog—rather than relying on what’s considered “normal.”
Separation anxiety doesn’t just affect the dog.
It affects your whole life: the trips you stop taking, the friends you stop seeing, the guilt every time you close the front door, and the fear of what your dog might do when you leave the house.
I’ve worked with guardians who hadn’t left their house in months because of it.
Through remote training and a protocol built around your specific dog, we work side by side, in small steps your dog can actually handle, until being alone stops feeling like a crisis.
The goal is simple: training should never create more fear.
As a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer, every step of the programme is designed to build your dog’s confidence without overwhelming them.
Gentle Progress
I never push your dog beyond what they can comfortably cope with. We build tolerance to being alone through gradual, manageable steps, always monitoring your dog’s emotional state.
A Personalised Plan
Every programme begins with an initial consultation, followed by a customised daily training plan designed specifically for your dog, their behaviour and your lifestyle.
Ongoing Support
You’ll receive regular video reviews, data analysis and weekly check-ins so we can monitor progress, make adjustments and celebrate every success together.
Why more practice wasn’t making it better
Hugo was struggling on two fronts at once: he couldn’t be left alone without escalating into distress, and he couldn’t be walked past another dog without staring, pulling and barking. With the right approach including leash management, safe-space setup and careful management around other dogs, Ugo’s family is no longer guessing. They’re fluent in Hugo.
Read the full story →Everything you need to help your dog feel safe being alone.
Why It Works
- Systematic desensitization
- Always under threshold
- Emotional resilience
- Science-backed
What’s Included
- Initial consultation
- Daily training plans
- Video & data analysis
- Weekly 1:1 meetings
Results You Can Expect
- Calmer alone-time
- Reduced vocalization
- Improved quality of life
- Confidence & relief
What's included
Separation anxiety intensive
Calls
- Initial assessment — 90 minutes
- Weekly reassessment — 20–60+ minutes. I observe a live mission, then time how long your dog can be left alone.
Between-call support
- Daily tailored missions, with feedback the same day, ahead of the next day's mission
- WhatsApp check-ins every 1–2 days
- Response window: working hours only, no replies after 8pm
- Video review: 48-hour turnaround
Deliverables
- Written behavioral plan, built from the assessment and ongoing call feedback
- Shared Google Sheet with daily missions, feedback, and progress videos
What I need from you
- Missions 4x/week, plus 1 weekly reassessment
- Logging observations and relevant life or routine updates during missions
- Reassessment data is recorded by me, not you
Not included
- Severe aggression or level 4–5 bite cases
- Can't start without vet clearance if your dog is unwell
- Same-day emergencies — I'm a trainer, not a vet
- Secondary or unrelated behavior issues (e.g. reactivity) — assessed and priced separately
100% Remote & Stress-Free: All sessions are conducted via Zoom. This allows your dog to stay comfortable at home, prevents triggers, and lets us observe their natural behavior in a real-world setting.
Invest in Your Freedom and Their Peace
I know how hard it is to deal with separation anxiety on your own, and I don't want cost to be the reason you don't get help.
If finances are a concern, please reach out. We'll see if we can find a solution together.
Initial Consultation
A one-on-one session to assess your dog's individual history, triggers and current behaviour, followed by an initial training plan tailored specifically to them.
4-Week Separation Anxiety Intensive
A complete coaching programme including:
- Daily training plans
- Video & data analysis
- Weekly reassessments
- Ongoing support throughout the programme
Single Behaviour Consultation
Perfect if you're already following your own separation anxiety programme but would like professional guidance.
- Second opinion
- Help navigating setbacks
- Support beyond a generic protocol
- Fresh perspective on your training plan
If it's more than separation anxiety
Sometimes what looks like separation anxiety turns out to be part of a bigger picture — general anxiety, fear-based reactivity, or something physical going on with your dog. That's not a reason to worry, and it doesn't mean you're on your own or need to start over somewhere else.
As a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) as well as a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer, I have the training to recognize when there's more going on and adjust your dog's plan accordingly. If I see signs that point beyond straightforward SA — significant aggression, suspected pain, a dog struggling in multiple ways — I'll tell you plainly, guide you on next steps, and help you understand what your dog needs. And if it looks like a vet or veterinary behaviorist should be part of the picture, I'll flag that too.
You don't need to diagnose your dog before reaching out. That's exactly what the initial assessment is for.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
It will depend on the type of behavior issues and my knowledge at the time, but I will certainly be honest and won’t waste your time if I can’t. Otherwise, I will commit to helping you and your dog overcome any challenges. For instance, excessive barking, destructive chewing, aggression (towards people or other dogs), leash pulling and difficult walks, socialization challenges are some areas I can help with. Every dog is different, so we take the time to figure out what’s causing the behavior and find long-term solutions, not just quick fixes.
Training and medication aren’t either/or, they often work best together. I’m not a veterinarian and can’t prescribe medication, but I can help you recognize when a vet or veterinary behaviorist consult may be worth exploring alongside training.
Depending on the area, in-person can be possible. Otherwise, our services can also be 100% remote, which means we can help dogs and owners anywhere in the world!
Since we offer remote consultations, you first need to book a free 15-minute intro call to talk about your dog’s needs. From there, we offer different packages to suit you and your dog’s needs. Once you have selected a package we will begin working together through different platforms such as messaging, video calls, weekly assessments and video tutorials.
We offer remote consultations in Spanish, Portuguese, English, and Italian so we can help you no matter where you are and what language you speak! Our sessions are designed to be flexible and supportive. If you’re curious, you can book a free 15-minute chat to see if we’re a good fit.
Yes, when there’s a clear plan in place. Part of the initial assessment is understanding exactly what happened and building safety measures, like management strategies, muzzle training if needed, around that specific history.
At Fluent Fido, we help you better understand and communicate with your dog. Our services include:
Behavioral consultations to address issues like barking, aggression, and anxiety.
Positive reinforcement training tailored to your dog’s unique needs.
Guidance on body language so you can “speak dog” more fluently.
A holistic approach that considers your dog’s physical and emotional well-being.
We focus on positive reinforcement and stress-free methods— that means no punishments, no harsh corrections and no aversive methods of any kind. Many people tell me this method takes too long but you need to look at it like you would changing a habit like exercising or quit smoking. This takes time and so does training to help your dog improve their emotional regulation. How? well, by rewarding good behavior, providing enrichment, and helping you create a safe and happy space for your dog. Our goal is to build a strong, trusting bond between you and your pup