Separation Anxiety Treatment

From $120/hr

Humans have spent thousands of years genetically engineering the pet dog with a variety of specialties, but all have been selected for one thing in common: they like to be with people.

That means our dogs can be expected to be unhappy about being apart from us. It’s normal, and we should worry more when dogs don’t care whether we come or go or leave them behind. But they should be able to cope with it.

The term Separation Anxiety refers not to the normal, healthy disappointment or frustration associated with being left alone, but to the inability to cope with that separation, to the point of being in a state of distress, panic or anxiety that is unhealthy. Determining whether your dog just needs training to occupy himself when not kept company, or needs therapy to learn to cope, involves assessing what’s happening when you’re gone.

Brief or occasional barking and crying, getting into mischief, or chewing on household items are training questions. Waiting calmly by the door or window, or declining food and water during reasonable-length daytime absences, are not problems that require separation anxiety treatment, but you and your dog will benefit from regular training and management advice to keep your dog out of trouble.

Signs of real distress that needs more extensive separation anxiety treatment may include incessant (literally: uninterrupted) barking, crying or howling, prolonged mechanical pacing, escape behaviours such as digging at doorjambs and window frames, uncontrolled eliminations, excessive drooling, hyper-vigilance and sensitivity at the door or window, or inability to relax.
 
Your first session of 90 minutes will include a probing interview in which you will be asked to recount events that illustrate the issues with which you seek help, and help the instructor understand training efforts you’ve already made, both successful and not. You will be provided with an overview of the treatment plan in broad strokes and the details of the first steps you’ll take.

You’ll also be provided with an online workbook as a shared file with the trainer, in which you’ll document and prioritize the behaviours and exercises, and record your trials and observations, so the trainer can follow along between sessions and make suggestions at each session. The workbook is a user-friendly self-service tool, and an extra fee of $200 applies if you wish to have the trainer build out the checklists and trial plan with you.

Subsequent sessions of 60 minutes will provide you with exercises, next steps, and coaching.

Notes summarizing your assignments and exercises will be provided.

Separation Anxiety Consultation Fees:

90-minute initial consultation                                               $175 + HST = $197.75
60-minute consultation                                                        $130 + HST = $149.90
4-session program*
(1x90 min and 3x60 min paid at first session)                     $500 + HST = $565.00
Optional Desensitization & Counterconditioning
Workbook Setup                                                                   $200 + HST = $226.00

Serving Etobicoke & Burlington
Surcharge per session                                                        $25 + HST = $28.25

Remote Consultations
90-minute initial video consultation                                     $165 + HST = $186.45
60-minute Separation Anxiety consultation                         $120 + HST = $135.60
(phone or video)


Cancellations

(less than one business day's notice)                                 $50 + HST = $56.50

*Four-session programs are prepaid at the first session, and cover for any mix of in-person or online consultations. 
If the first appointment is online, payment is made by email transfer prior to the start of the appointment.

Please note: Pre-payment is non-refundable but may be applied to appointments in the future or transferred to another pet owner.

**All fees are subject to 13% HST as shown above