Choosing the right ‘break area’ is a key component when it comes to treating your dog’s separation anxiety.

So, what is the ‘break area’: it’s the HQ of your training programme - a place in your home where you start the absence training from and where you return back to in between each exercise step.

🐾 It should be somewhere where your dog naturally settles and feels comfortable. Where you can hang out, and your dog can see you.

🐾 It’s also the place where you observe your dog in between coming and going, checking how they are doing/ getting on with the training process.

Whether you are choosing somewhere to sit or stand really depends on what is normal to your dog and what your dog find easiest to relax around.

🐾 Some dogs find it too exciting when their owners sit down (for example sitting on the sofa with your dog constantly trying to climb on your lap isn’t ideal) and others may find it too stressful if their human keeps pottering about and prefer for everyone to have a sit down.

➡️➡️ Also consider proximity to your front door (from your break area): Can your dog see you leave from your chosen spot? How far do you have to go until you reach the door? Are there any doors or gates on route that you need to get your dog comfortable with first?

If you are unsure about how go about planning your dog’s separation anxiety training journey, GET IN TOUCH.