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Dealing With Separation Anxiety in Dogs

When your dog becomes distressed at being left alone - pacing, crying, chewing, or attempting to escape - they're not being naughty. They're feeling unsafe without you. Most dogs who struggle with this haven't learnt that it's okay to relax when they're on their own.

This isn't about your dog missing you. It's about them feeling responsible for you, which leads to panic when you're apart.

Why This Happens

There are many theories for why dogs start exhibiting from separation anxiety. Ultimately, different schools of thought in dog training have come to different conclusions. One theory is that dogs experiencing separation concerns often believe they're in charge of keeping everyone safe. When they can't see you or know where you are, their stress levels spike. This uncertainty creates the destructive or vocal behaviours that many owners find so frustrating.

The Solution: Building Confidence Through Calm Practice

Progress requires patience and consistency. You're not going to reverse months of anxiety in a few days, but with the right approach, most dogs can learn to feel secure when alone.

Start Small: Begin with separations your dog can actually handle - even if that's just 20 seconds. Leave the room, close the door, and return before they've become stressed. The key is ending each separation positively.

Practice Daily: Use every opportunity throughout the day. Leave during TV adverts, close the bathroom door, walk to a different room. The more repetitions you can manage, the faster your dog builds confidence.

Build Gradually: As your dog remains calm, extend the time apart. You might start with 20 seconds and work up to 5 minutes, then 15, then an hour. Go at your dog's pace, not yours.

Stay Calm When Returning: When you come back, ignore your dog for the first few minutes. This teaches them that your comings and goings are no big deal - exactly the message they need to hear.

What to Expect

Consistency matters more than speed. If you stick with this approach for 30 days without exceptions, you'll see meaningful change. Some cases take longer, particularly if the anxiety is severe. That's completely normal.

Professional Support Available And What To Do Next

At The Toe Beans Co, we specialise in helping dogs to overcome their behaviour issues through ethical methods. That means no pain, no fear, no force - just calm, consistent guidance that works. You have a couple of options of what to do next:

  1. Not Ready For A Trainer Just Yet: You can find plenty of free support in our community where we have dedicated behavioural courses on solving behaviour problems, breed guides and puppy programs. It's free to join and we run weekly zoom calls and you can ask questions.
  2. Ready For A Trainer: Please book a meet and greet or a session through the website if you are based in Sydney. If you are not based in Sydney but would still like support we do offer online training, please just send us a message through the chat

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

Common questions we get about our services

Common Questions

Is separation anxiety curable?

Of all the issues we cover this is by far the most common in Sydney. Unfortunately, there is no one fix for this and usually it takes a combination of elements to get results. There is no guarantee of fixing separation anxiety

Is barking fixable?

Yes and no. Certain breeds are more inclined to bark (such as the Dachshund). These dogs are inclined to bark more easily and changing these behaviours is incredibly challenging. For other breeds this is possible with consistency and effort.

Do you offer free meet and greets?

Yes, we offer complementary meet and greets for all of our services. You can schedule them using the booking links and we will be in touch. If you cannot find a time please call on +61431622887

How will my dog respond to the training?

Like people, all dogs are different. What really matters is not your dog, but you. Some dog's can be more stubborn but ultimately if you engage in calm and consistent action your dog will get better.

How long does the training for adult dogs take every day?

The first 4 rules we teach you involve not doing things, rather than the opposite. There are no time consuming brain games or 40 point plans. You don't do them and they don't work. Sorry. All in all, this should take no more than 10 extra minutes a day for the first week and then 5 minutes a day.

What support do I get for the adult dog training?

All of our at home dog training clients get access to the following:

  • At home dog training consultation (2 - 2.5hours). You can choose between 1 and 2 sessions.
  • Lifetime access to the dog calming code video tutorials
  • 3 months of phone, email and chat support
  • Access to our clients only community section
  • Access to our online dog training community with courses of behaviours and breed specific issues
  • Owners can also choose to access a video tutorial database covering different behavioural issues
  • During sessions, if required, we will also provide equipment such as front pull harnesses and long lines

What is included in the video support extension?

Some owners want to get support through our online video tutorial platform. There are a range of courses contained in there covering:

  • Solve Reactivity & Aggression
  • Master The Walk
  • Quit Jumping Up
  • Stop Separation Anxiety
  • Biting, Nipping & Chewing
  • Won't Come Or listen
  • Excessive Barking Be Gone
  • Fearful or Hyperactive Dogs
  • Potty Training Troubles
  • New Puppy Nightmares

Which areas of Sydney do you work in?

Our services are offered all across Sydney. We have clients in the:

  • Inner City / City Centre
  • Eastern Suburbs
  • Inner West
  • Lower North Shore
  • Upper North Shore
  • Northern Beaches
  • Hills District
  • Western Sydney
  • South Sydney / St George

What is the ethos behind your dog training?

Developing a well behaved dog has 2 parts: dog psychology & dog training. We focus first on understanding your dog and getting them to choose to follow and listen to us. When dogs aren't making all the decisions, they calm down and relax, making them far more receptive to training. To do this, we don’t need to use force, fear or aggression. In fact the opposite. Whether dealing with barking, leash pulling, jumping, or aggression, these behaviours typically stem from dogs being too excited, reactive, and emotional. The key is getting them to turn to you and listen when it matters. Once they're calm and looking to you for guidance, you can effectively show them how to behave.
In short: before you train the dog, you need to win their mind.

Does your training use pain, fear, force or aggression?

ABSOLUTELY NOT. If you want a method like that I suggest you call the 1980's, go back there and never get a dog. We teach the dog calming code, a method based on positive action that reinforces your role as the leader in your dog's eyes.

Need More Help?

We offer puppy school, dog training and other pet care services all across Sydney. We also offer completely online courses for pet parents all over the world. Visit our home page below to learn more

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Guide Examples

Dog Behaviour

Dog Behaviour

Struggling to cut your dogs nails? Has your lab started resource guarding? Or is the barking driving you crazy. This is for you.

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Breed Guides

Breed Guides

Considering getting a breed or a current owner struggling with a behavioural issue? This is for you.

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Puppy Support

Puppy Support

Considering getting a puppy or already got them at home and struggling? This is for you.

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Dog Training 101

Dog Training 101

At the point that you need support but don't know where to look. We break the 4 core methods down and you can see which is the best fit for you.

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Homeward Bound Hounds

Homeward Bound Hounds

Adopted via Homeward Bound Hounds. We access specific courses on the 3 most common issues with Greyhounds.

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About The Toe Beans Co

Ethical First

Ethical First

Dog training is full of some mental people. It is always terrifying to see how many trainers use shock collars and pain to train pets. We don't do this. We NEVER use pain, fear, force or aggression and will never, under any circumstances, support, condone or recommend any practices that follow these schools of thought.

A Passion For Paws

A Passion For Paws

I have pets. I love them. I know how special the bond is and that trusting somebody else with your pet is a huge leap.

My commitment to you is to love your pet like family and give you complete peace of mind when they are with us.

Ultimately, my goal is to give you and your pet the relationship you have always wanted.

In Australia, over 40,000 dogs & cats go to shelters every year and many for very fixable behaviours or inconvenience. I think it would be great to get this number down.

Our Mission

Our Mission

  1. To ensure you always have someone you trust that you can turn to when you need help with your pet. Whether it is: big or small, last minute or weeks in advance, you can be stress free in knowing your pet is in safe hands.
  2. To raise as much money for Teenage Cancer Research as we can. The better a service we provide, the more people will want to work with us and the more we can donate. Simple as that.