Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Next Generation Treatment Protocols and Practices

by Malena DeMartini-Price CTC

New Strategies and Plans for Separation Anxiety It has now been six years since the release of Malena DeMartini-Price’s best selling first book, Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs. Not one to rest on her laurels, Malena has been busy teaching and mentoring dog trainers worldwide to become Certified Separation Anxiety Trainers (CSAT). Working in collaboration with a large network of trainers to collect data and conduct research, new strategies have been developed on many of the key elements of treating separation anxiety. Now, in a completely new book, Malena share these strategies for the use of current technologies, no absence management, and improved desensitization techniques. Any trainer or guardian dealing with separation anxiety will find this book a valued resource. What experts are saying about Separation Anxiety in Dogs Malena's first book on separation anxiety was a game changer, but her newest book, 6 years later, is even it is packed with new information, new insights about the principles involved, and backed by solid data. To quote from the final sentence in her book, "...separation anxiety is fixable..." and Malena brilliantly demonstrates how! Ken Ramirez, author of The Eye of the Animal Training, Transformation, and Trust. Executive VP & Chief Training Officer for Karen Pryor Clicker Training Clear, compassionate, data-driven advice about what actually works – and what doesn’t. A welcome and indispensable resource I’ll use often with my own clients. Kathy Sdao, M.A., author of Plenty in Life is Reflections on Dogs, Training & Finding Grace. Owner of Bright Spot Dog Training Rock-solid information on treating this challenging condition, including a superb section on shelter dogs. Jean Donaldson, author of The Culture Clash. Founder and Director of The Academy for Dog Trainers

Genres: Dogs, Nonfiction

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2020

Reviews

[Danni Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book is geared for trainers, I found it helpful as the guardian of a dog who may have separation anxiety. I really appreciated the science and case anecdotes. One frustration was the assumptions about what resources people would be able to implement -- especially during the pandemic, not everyone who adopts a dog has the ability or budget to implement some of the things the author recommends, so it would have been helpful to get answers to "What if I'm not able to set up a camera in my home?" or "What if a need for an unavoidable absence comes up during the never-leave-the-dog-alone period?" Since I'm writing this several months after I actually read the book, I feel like I should also mention that I feel this book may have heightened MY anxiety about my dog's mental health quite a bit, in such a way that may be making it challenging for us to actually implement strategies that could help my dog. But overall, I came away feeling like I had a much better understanding of what's happening for my dog, what I can do to help, and what to discuss with our vet care team.

[Jesse Aaronson]

Thank you to Gus, my dog with separation anxiety, for getting me one step closer to my 2023 GR Goal

[Sabine Ten D · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have a dog with separation anxiety and this book made me realise what we did wrong with training him and are still doing wrong. It gave me so many helpful insights into how to start training. I do think without an actual CSAT trainer we would still be muddling around but at least we have hope for our dog now.
Some parts were a bit unclear until you read further. For example what was meant with “warm-ups”. That is the only comment I have about the book.

[Marsha De Blieck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a dog with seperation anxiety and I wish I read this book when she was a puppy!

I have a 5 month old puppy now and I want to give him a better start than my first dog had.

This is a must read for every dog owner but also for a dog professional like myself.

[Magen - Inquiring Professional Dog Trainer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very indepth and technical book that will take professional trainers step-by-step through the separation anxiety behavioral training method. It also covers the research, client consultations, and how to use technology to aid in your training. This is the absolute best book I have read as a dog training professional, and I’ve listened to almost all of them! I highly recommend all dog trainers, whether behavioral or not, whether doing separation anxiety cases or not, read through this book. It has incredibly valuable information on why separation anxiety is so sticky and why symptoms don’t predict how hard or easy recovery is going to be, which I’ve shared with my clients so they will more readily understand the need for a behavioral trainer (not me). It also gives insight into how to design behavioral training plans and get client buy-in that applies to any one on one trainer, even if not doing separation anxiety training. DeMartini goes into case studies to help provide more concrete examples on how to use her methods. She offers solutions to questions like, what can I use for a camera if I don’t already have one (though it’s easy to get one for $20 nowadays) and what do I do if I have to leave my dog alone in the “don’t leave the dog alone” stage (get a sitter and get creative about finding many). DeMartini covers all of the issues I expect would come up when working with a client and really does an incredibly thorough job explaining how to implement and make changes to her methods. I expected this book to cover basics and point the reader to the online dog trainer trainings, but it didn’t, which is incredible! She’s truly trying to increase the number of dog guardians helped by professionals by writing this indepth resource. I don’t think this book is enough to become a full-time separation anxiety behavioral dog trainer, but it is enough for good behavioral trainers that want to occasionally take a case. There is a wealth of knowledge in this book and I will read it again!

For the guardian with an active separation anxiety dog, the online course by Malena DeMartini will likely be more effective, but this book will still be of use. For the savvy guardian that is looking at best practices for when they bring their new dog home, this is a great resource!

The audiobook was incredibly well done and the narrator did an amazing job of keeping it engaging, which is not always true of nonfiction work.

Thank you to Dogwise Publishing for providing me with a review copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Separation anxiety is basically a dog having a panic attack when left alone. It’s heartbreaking to watch or listen to.

Here are 178 pages explaining everything from myths about SA to implementing a training plan. Best dog book that I’ve read that truly explains why paying for a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer is worth a pet guardian’s time & money.

Interestingly, CSATs work remotely all the time because this training relies on video surveillance of the dog when people aren’t around.

When starting SA training, the person may only step outside for a second, but the dog will notice. Now it’s up to the CSAT to design a training plan that allows the dog to learn not to care when their person leaves without putting the dog into a panic mode.

And then the CSAT reviews the daily footage of the training session to write out the next day’s mission. Truly modify and adjust, just like I used to do in my middle school classroom.

If you have a dog with separation anxiety, even if you think it’s mild, I would encourage you to read this short book, especially the section on myths.

[Thomas Otten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going to give this one 5 stars because the training protocol lined up in this legitimatly fixed my dogs separation anxiety/brought it to manageable levels. In 23 training sessions over the course of a month (so you do have to commit!), I was able to take my dog from whining, barking, clawing at the door, even dead-bolting me out, to being relaxed and calm every time I leave, unless it is a "high stress leave" (me and my girlfriend leaving, when he's at someone else's place, or me just coming home long enough to walk him). I have no doubt that with another ~month of training, that too could be eradicated with this protocol. (I just have bigger fish to fry with Walt). Incredibly reccomended!

[Jalen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this as a guardian after adopting a shelter dog a few weeks ago. It was helpful in understanding separation anxiety in dogs. I was able to formulate a training strategy based off this book but if I do not feel it is working I will enroll in a training course. The book it self does not dive deep into exact training exercises but you can formulate a basic understanding of what a training session would look like. Definitely recommend reading if you are a Gaussian looking for where to start. It can be stressful but I feel a lot less stressed after reading this book!

[ThDogs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very indepth and technical book that will step-by-step take professional trainers through the art of separation anxiety methods, the current day research, alternative sources outside of this book, client consultations, how to use modern day technology to aid in your training.

For the concerned owner, the online course by Malena DeMartini is probably better for owner-training, but this book will still be of use.

[Claudia Almeida · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true lifesaver for dog parents struggling with separation anxiety (like me).

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book last year but just listened to the audio version. I think it's a book all dog trainers should read whether they take separation anxiety cases or not.