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Ask Me Anything

Ask Me Anything is the perfect place to start when you have questions! Book a Zoom call with Sharon to ask her all of your dog-related separation anxiety questions.

$120 incl tax
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Initial Assessment

Get started with a 60-90 minute initial assessment to discuss your dog’s history and your training goals. Get expert eyes on your dog. We will help you determine the next steps.

$195 incl tax
Schedule Assessment
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Start Program

Begin your 6-week Home Alone & Happy Coaching program to kick start your journey to life after separation anxiety. It's like having a coach in your pocket and in your corner.

$895 plus tax
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The Home Alone & Happy Program

Home Alone & Happy6-week coaching

$ 895

plus tax

Prerequisite: Initial Assessment

The 6-week program – what you get:

  • A dedicated coach to support you every step of the way
  • Daily coaching and 30 customized plans
  • Video review of your training sessions
  • Four weekly (45-min) check-ins with Sharon
  • Real-time video assessment
  • Unlimited text and email support during business hours (M-F)
  • Daily support, coaching and cheerleading; a coach in your pocket
  • The Home Alone & Happy Online course
  • Ability to pause your program for one week

…..and the beginnings of a relaxed puppy

 

Read more on the Client Journey

The Journey ContinuesMonth-to-Month

$ 495

plus tax

Prerequisite: 6-week Home Alone & Happy coaching program

Month-to-month renewal until you reach your goal or for as long as you want full support.

The 4-week program – what you get:

The same daily support that you experienced in the Home Alone & Happy Coaching program

Including:

  • Daily coaching
  • Customized training plans
  • Two weekly (45 min) check-ins with Sharon
  • Unlimited text or email support during business hours (M-F)

If a weekly check-in is required, the cost will be $675.00 plus Tax.

Read more on the Client Journey

The Freedom StepThe Final Step

$ 375

plus tax

Prerequisite:  The Journey Continues

*Conditions apply

If you are having trouble imagining life after training or are not quite ready to fly completely solo, the Freedom Step is for you. Transition to real life with the help of your coach.

The 4-week program – what you get:

  • Get ready for life after training
  • A dedicated coach to support you as you make the transition to real life
  • Daily review of the training plans you have prepared yourself
  • Two 30-minute check-ins with Sharon
  • Unlimited text or email support during business hours (M-F)

 

Read more on the Client Journey

All prices are in CAD.  Taxes vary by location (GST, HST).

Please reference our Terms & Conditions here.

Few conditions are as challenging as Separation Anxiety. Dogs with this condition panic through every moment they're left alone and owners suffer deep guilt; worring about their dogs and the stress of a destroyed house or angry neighbours.

I'd love to help you and your dog overcome this awful, life-disrupting disorder.

Sharon LabossiereHanging With Hounds
Sharon sitting Dog Training Hanging with Hounds

Home Alone & Happy Coaching Program

What You Need to Know

WHO should do separation anxiety training?

WHO should do separation anxiety training?

By Training No Comments
If you can't leave your home without: Feeling stressed and guilty. Worried about what you will come home to. Judged by family and friends. Coming home to notes on your door from angry neighbours. Sick of trying countless ineffective solutions that cost you money and don't fix the problem. Spending hours googling solutions and getting more and more confused. Missing out on fun, because you can't find a pet sitter at short notice. Living with damaged items because there is no point in fixing them while your dog is still anxious. If you want to feel supported, heard and treated with kindness.  If you want to be held accountable while at the same time being treated with respect. If you want your trainer to know what the heck she is doing and to treat you and your dog with the latest in positive training methods. If you know that the process will not be easy, but you have the courage and determination to fix it once and for all. If you want to know that you and your dog are in safe hands, then you are ready and this program is for you. Schedule a discovery call to speak with Sharon. If you can't leave your home without your dog suffering and you feeling guilty, then it is time to get help. Separation anxiety will not resolve on its own. Both you and your dog deserve better.
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WHAT is a separation anxiety coaching program?

WHAT is a separation anxiety coaching program?

By Training No Comments
Separation anxiety is a severe panic disorder that impacts the entire family. Long believed to be untreatable, the last decade has seen tremendous strides in treating separation anxiety. Most dogs suffering from separation anxiety can learn to stay home alone without stress. Separation anxiety is addressed through systematic desensitization. By slowly exposing your dog to the thing that they find most frightening - being left alone -  we gradually teach them that they are safe. This program entails: Gradual desensitization to absences. We progress at your dog's pace, only going as fast as your dog can handle. Daily 30-minute exercises (to start), 5 days per week Weekly check-in sessions with Sharon to review progress and answer questions It also means: Absences need to be suspended except while training.  This means that pet sitters, daycare, friends and family may be needed for those times when you need to go out. Behaviour medications are often needed to see successful resolution. Tools like bark collars, squirt bottles and other barking deterrents cannot be used. Training may take many months.  It can take 6 months of consistent training to achieve 2-3 hours of comfortable alone time. This is an average.  For some dogs it will take much longer.
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WHEN is the best time to start a separation anxiety program?

WHEN is the best time to start a separation anxiety training program?

By Training No Comments
When is the best time to start a separation anxiety training program?  The answer - when you are ready. Separation anxiety does not usually resolve on its own.  It requires proactive training.  This means you need to be ready to commit to regular training.  The training is not onerous and Sharon is there to help you every step of the way, but she can't do the training for you. So when should you start? When you can commit to training 5-days per week. When you are ready and able to suspend absences so that dog is not left alone except when training. When you are ready to accept that this won't be a quick fix. When you are open to the possibility that your dog may need behaviour medications. If you can honestly say that you can do all of the above, then you are ready. Start now by contacting Sharon.  Schedule a discovery call to learn more or booking your initial assessment to get started immediately. Step 1: Schedule a Discovery Call  (optional) Step 2: Schedule your Initial Assessment. Step 3: Begin the journey that will change your life by starting with a 6-week coaching program (Go to the programs)
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WHERE do I need to go to do the training?

WHERE do I need to go to do the training?

By Training No Comments
The ultimate in flexible training, separation anxiety behaviour modification requires no special equipment, tools or scheduling. This program is delivered virtually, in your home. Exercises are customized and provided daily based on the previous day's results. You choose when you train - the time of day and the days of the week, aiming to do 5 exercises each week. You meet with Sharon once a week via Zoom at a time that you have scheduled with a link she provides you. You are provided with daily coaching 6-days a week. If you are not sure about something you can upload a video for review in between the face-to-face sessions. The only equipment you need is: A device (phone, tablet, laptop, petcam) with a camera. A wifi connection. Separation anxiety is the most successful when done remotely.  No more trainer effect when your dog is on their best behaviour as soon as the trainer enters the room. Separation anxiety coaching has been done online and virtually long before covid was a thing. It also means you have access to the most qualified trainer that can help you, starting right now, no matter where you live.
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WHY should I do a separation anxiety training program?

WHY should I do a separation anxiety training program?

By Training No Comments
Separation anxiety will not resolve on its own.  Both you and your dog deserve better. Get relief for you and your dog; no more guilt, worry or frustration. You deserve separation without the anxiety. Go to work, run errands with the kids, or play golf without guilt. Linger over a stress-free meal out. Get groceries, collect the mail or take out the trash without worrying. Return to a calm, happy dog who's napped peacefully while you were away. Come home to an intact home—no accidents, chewed rugs, or ruined doors. Stop worrying about angry neighbours upset about the endless barking or howling. And your dog deserves to be home alone and happy - no stress and panic.
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The Client Journey

From stressed and worried…to calm and relaxed.

Brown and white dog worriedly looking out the window Brown and white dog sleeping soundly in a sunbeam beam

Step 1 – Schedule an Ask Me Anything call or an optional Discovery Call.

If you have questions about my programs that are not answered by the website, please schedule a Discovery Call.  If you have questions about separation anxiety or want to discuss your specific situation in more details, schedule an ‘Ask Me Anything‘ call. If you want a real time assessment done of your dog, please proceed directly to schedule an Initial Assessment.

Step 2 – Separation anxiety training requires an initial assessment.

Booking your initial assessment will allow us to discuss your dog and situation in a lot more detail.  The assessment is intended to rule out separation anxiety.  To do this, I will have you do an exercise intended to assess your dog’s anxiety.  If your dog is doing okay, you may be required to leave your home for between a few minutes up to 30-40 minutes. Following the exercise, we will discuss the next steps based on the findings of the assessment. Note: If you have upgraded from the Ask Me Anything call, this will be a 45 min real-time assessment only.

Step 3 – Home Alone & Happy separation anxiety behaviour modification coaching program.

If the initial assessment suggests your dog is suffering from separation anxiety and you decide to proceed with separation anxiety behaviour modification, the Home Alone & Happy coaching program is the next step. Separation anxiety training takes time. While the Home Alone & Happy program is a 6-week program, except in rare situations you will not have achieved your goal during this time. As a rule of thumb, it will often take most dogs a minimum of 6-months to achieve 2-3 hours of alone time.

Step 4 – The Journey Continues

Following the completion of the Home Alone & Happy coaching program, you will continue with the Journey Continues program on a month-to-month basis until you reach your goal or for as long as you want full coaching support. As noted in Step 3, separation anxiety is not usually resolved in 6-weeks. It can take months to reach a point where you can leave your dog for an extended time.

Step 5 – Freedom Step (optional)

If you have reached a point where you can stop training but as not quite ready to fly solo or would like some help to continue on your own, the Freedom Step provides the support you might be looking for.  Some conditions apply. Learn more about the Home Alone & Happy coaching programs including pricing.

See FAQs for answers to commonly asked questions.

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FAQs

I read that separation anxiety cannot be fixed. Is this true?

I read that Separation Anxiety can’t be fixed. Is this true?

By FAQs No Comments
The internet, well-meaning friends and family are full of advice about separation anxiety. Some advice is good.  However, some advice is not only not helpful, it can be damaging. Leaving out a food toy to keep the dog busy, is not likely to be helpful.  Calming sprays, thunder-shirts, music designed for dogs, again not likely to be much use.  While some of these things might work for some dogs some of the time, for most dogs, most of the time, they won't. At best, they fall into the 'might help, can't hurt' category. The trouble is, quite frankly, while you are spending time and money trying all of the advice on the internet, your dog is suffering, and so are you. Separation anxiety can be resolved.  CSAT's and SAPT's from around the world have been helping dogs with separation issues and thanks to them, there are many thousands of dogs successfully snoozing away while their wonderful pet parents are out enjoying their life again.
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How long will it take to fix my dog?

How long will it take to resolve my dog’s separation anxiety?

By FAQs No Comments
This is the million-dollar question. There is no way to be able to answer this question.  There are so many factors that will affect how long the path to resolution is. It varies significantly from several months to a year or more for a dog with separation anxiety to learn to spend any significant time on their own. In many cases, you'll be able to leave your dog for short periods within a few months. By the end of your initial six weeks of training, we will have a better idea of your dog's learning curve and progress speed. Many factors affect how long it takes to resolve the behaviour, such as how long the dog has lived with the issue, their prior learning history, genetics, training commitment, exposure to over-threshold absences, whether behaviour medications are being used and management. Always bear in mind, dealing with separation-related behaviour issues is unlike any other type of dog training. We are dealing with fear, and we are trying to change the emotional response to that fear. It takes time. Historically, based on average results, many clients can achieve 2-3 hours within six months. But this is a guideline only. Some dogs take longer.
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How do I know if my dog has separation anxiety?

How do I know if my dog has separation anxiety?

By FAQs No Comments
Usually, the symptoms of separation anxiety are hard to ignore. These include howling, incessant barking, noise complaints from neighbours, pacing, whining, over-zealous greetings when you return, destruction of furniture, walls and doors, elimination (peeing and pooping) in the house in an otherwise housetrained dog, injury and self-harm, escaping crates or trying to break out of the room, or the home. However, there are instances when the dog does not have home-alone issues but still shows some of these same behaviours. Lack of exercise or mental enrichment, boredom, housetraining problems, too much time alone can yield the same symptoms, but the root cause is not fear or anxiety. Your separation trainer can help you determine if you are dealing with separation anxiety or boredom, FOMO or frustration and advise the right training plan to address the problem behaviour. This is why Sharon requires an assessment first before recommending a coaching program.
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You say that I will have to use technology in this process. I am not very technical.

You say that I will have to use technology in this process. I am not very technical.

By FAQs No Comments
Yes! We use technology to watch your dog in real-time. You don't have to be very techie to be able to do this. With today's technology - laptop, tablets and smartphones, Skype and Zoom - a certified separation anxiety trainer can help anyone, anywhere in the world. A word of advice - setting up cameras each time can become very irritating. In some situations, the dog begins to alert to the camera setup process as a departure cue. Not what we want to happen. Stand-alone cameras have become so affordable and reliable now. It is worth considering going this route in my experience if for no other reason than to remove one aggravating chore from your daily training exercises.
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Why work with a ‘Certified’ Separation Anxiety trainer?

Why work with a ‘Certified’ Separation Anxiety trainer?

By FAQs No Comments
Separation anxiety training is a specialization. There are a variety of disciplines that dog trainers pursue, and working with separation-related behaviours is one of them. Separation anxiety is rooted in fear, and fear is a complicated behaviour to address. When we are working to 'fix' this type of behaviour, we work to change the underlying emotional response. The training is not the same as teaching a sit or any other behaviour. In applied behaviour terms, we are changing the underlying association for the dog to being left alone. We do this with desensitization - ever so slowly teaching the dog that being left alone is safe. We are constantly working with the dog just under the dog's threshold. If the dog is relaxed, we move forward. If we note any signs of anxiety, even the most subtle signs, we stop. A trainer who chooses to specialize in this field has a finely tuned eye for canine body language. We design a training plan that slices the process into baby steps. There are currently two certifications for trainers who specialize in this field - the CSAT and Cert.SAPT. I hold both certifications. Both certifications have a rigorous acceptance process where prior experience and credentials are audited. You can be assured if a trainer holds one or both of these certifications that they have the skills to help you.
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What happens at the end of the 6-week coaching program?

What happens at the end of the 6-week coaching program?

By FAQs No Comments
At the end of the 6-week coaching program you may be ready to continue on your own.  In this situation, we will discuss how to move forward so that you can continue to build on your success. Almost everyone will have seen some improvement in the first six weeks. Hopefully, you can see the first glimmers of your dog beginning to relax...sigh! But as you know by now, separation is not resolved quickly.  It takes time.  I try to make sure my clients know that we are looking at months, not weeks to see significant improvement.  The rule of thumb, is that it will take approximately 6-months to see 2-3 hours of consistent, reliable home alone comfort.  I would be misleading you, if I didn't point out that for every rule there are exceptions.  There will always be dogs that progress faster and others that take longer. This is normal. If at the end of the 6-weeks, you are not at your goal time or not ready to continue on your own, you can choose to renew on a month-to-month basis.  You can do this for as long as you need to.  When you are ready to go it alone, you can always choose the Freedom Step program which is program designed to help you to transition to life after training.  Whatever path you choose, you can go forward knowing that I will always be available for questions.  And if you find that life changes have resulted in a lapse, as a previous client, you are always welcomed back for a refresher program.
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Can you guarantee that you will fix my dog?

Can you guarantee that you will fix my dog?

By FAQs No Comments
As with all dog training, we cannot guarantee success. We wish we could, but the reality is that dogs are living, breathing, thinking creatures, and so many factors influence the success both during the training program and following its completion. Ethically, I cannot guarantee a specific result. But, I will do my best to give both you and your dog a sense of success and relief.
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What can I expect when I do separation anxiety training?

What can I expect when I do separation anxiety training?

By FAQs No Comments
Separation anxiety is a slow process. We work at the dog's pace. Often the most difficult part of the training is the speed. A typical training result looks like the chart below. There are ups and downs. We purposely build in the volatility so that the dog cannot predict the absence duration. This is intentional. This is what normal training looks like. Sometimes we hit plateaus and even regressions. This is normal volatility. Often the biggest disconnect for clients is the expectation that training will result in a straight line. While the straight line in the chart (trend line) does slope upwards, which is what we want to see, the day-to-day results do fluctuate. This is normal, planned and intentional.
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What causes separation anxiety?

What causes separation anxiety?

By FAQs No Comments
In all honesty, we don't know why separation anxiety affects some dogs and not others. Separation anxiety is an anxiety disorder that some dogs, due to temperament, are more susceptible or predisposed to than others—just as we humans have varying degrees of susceptibility to anxiety issues. Separation anxiety is not a behaviour. It is not something your dog chooses. In some cases, separation anxiety is triggered by a traumatic experience. Common triggers are losing a home, a family move, a change in the family such as a divorce or death, the loss of a doggie companion, or a frightening incident such as a home burglary. The current research is pointing to the following factors, but so much more research is needed before we can conclusively point to a specific thing: Genetics Early life experiences * Maternal stress during pregnancy Maternal behaviour Bad experiences - things that happened that made the situation worse * So before you feel guilt over something you have done to cause your dog's anxiety, let me clarify. Of the above list, the only two items you might have any influence over are flagged with an asterisk. Home alone training for puppies is critical preventative training to ensure a puppy can relax on their own as they grow. It ranks up there with house training, in my view. Ensuring that your puppy does not have frightening experiences is always something we need to strive for, as experiencing one fearful event can imprint on the dog with lasting effects. You cannot affect your dog's genetics, and unless you are breeding your dogs, you cannot affect how your dog's mother's stress levels or behaviour were, while in-utero or after birth. Allowing your dog to sleep on your bed or being kind and gentle with your dog will not result in a dog that has separation anxiety. For other common myths, please read my blog on the Top Separation Anxiety Myths.***need new link
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Would it help if I got a second dog to keep my dog company?

Would it help if I got a second dog to keep my dog company?

By FAQs No Comments
Unfortunately, the answer to this one is no, too. There have been a handful of documented cases in which a dog suffering from separation-related behaviour concerns was comforted by the presence of a canine companion. But the vast majority of separation anxiety dogs, even those who actively enjoy the company of other dogs, are only soothed by human companionship. By all means, get a second dog if: You used to have a second dog, but the remaining dog started to show separation anxiety when they died. You have been thinking about getting a second dog for a while and are ready for the additional financial commitment, time and training required. That you are okay if the new dog doesn't get along with the current dog. That you are okay if the new dog does not help with your current dog's separation anxiety. My advice is don't get another dog to fix your current dog. There is a high probability that the new addition will not improve your current dog's separation anxiety. If you want to test this out, consider fostering a dog or dog sitting a friend or family member's dog etc., to see if you notice your current dog responding. And remember, give it time. A few days will not give you an accurate reading. You need to see how your dog's behaviour responds over a more extended period of time, so plan for a minimum of a few weeks.
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Can’t I just confine my dog to a crate?

Can’t I just confine my dog to a crate?

By FAQs No Comments
Unfortunately, no. It is prevalent for dogs that suffer from this condition to be anxious when confined. There is also a high correlation for dogs that have separation anxiety to have noise phobias as well. A panicked dog will go to incredible lengths to break free of a crate, often breaking teeth and injuring itself in the process. But don't worry! The only time your dog will be alone will be when we are practicing an exercise, and we will have 'eyes on them at all times. Whew!
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Can I sneak out and leave my dog if they are sleeping?

Can I sneak out and leave my dog if they are sleeping?

By FAQs No Comments
While this might seem like a win-win situation for both of you, and you might find for a time that you can get away with, it comes with considerable risk. Even if you have done this successfully and gotten away with it, if there comes a time when your dog wakes while you are out and becomes distressed, you may well find that your dog's anxiety becomes worse. Now your dog has learned that they cannot trust you and that they had better keep a much closer eye on you. Honestly, it is just not worth it. And I am not recommending this to be clear; I would sooner you walk out the door in full view of your dog than teach him that they can't trust you.
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Does this program require that I never leave my dog alone? If I can do that, then why do I need you?

Does this program require that I never leave my dog alone? If I can do that, then why do I need you?

By FAQs No Comments
So yes, this program requires that your dog is not left alone EXCEPT while practicing an absence exercise for the duration of the program. This program teaches your dog to relax so that you have the freedom to go out without guilt. Living with a separation anxiety dog is challenging and can be very isolating for people. Wouldn't you like to be able to run out for groceries, go for a hair appointment, maybe catch a movie without worrying? I am sure the answer to that question is 'Yes. So yes, in the beginning, we ask you to commit to not leaving your dog alone. While this seems daunting, it is possible. Most clients found a way to suspend absences even when they initially thought it was not possible. Asking friends and family to help out, using pet sitters and doggie daycares make this very doable. It is not always easy, but it is possible.
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Will I have to put my dog on medication?

Will I have to put my dog on medication?

By FAQs No Comments
I am a dog trainer, not a veterinarian. I can't and won't diagnose, prescribe or recommend medications. What I will do is strongly suggest that you speak with your Veterinarian about the concerns you have. In some cases, you may need to speak with a Veterinarian Behaviourist or Veterinarian specializing in behaviour. And yes, your Veterinarian may prescribe medication in some situations. I work collaboratively with a client's Veterinarian throughout the process to have the best combination of medical and behavioural support possible.
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I have read or been told to let my dog just tough it out?

Won’t my dog eventually realize I always come back?

Won’t my dog eventually realize I always come back?

By FAQs No Comments
Without training, the answer is, unfortunately, no. Dogs suffering from separation anxiety experience such deep panic that the learning part of the brain shuts down—the same way our own thinking processes do when we're frightened. Separation anxiety training is all about teaching your dog—slowly and systematically without ever triggering her panic response—that you do indeed always come back.
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