Training Philosophy
What is separation anxiety behavior in dogs, and how do we address this?
Separation anxiety in dogs is when a dog experiences significant stress or fear when left alone or separated from family members. When separated from family members, anxious dogs may bark nonstop, perform destructive behaviors such as scratching at exit doors to escape, urinating or defecating in their room or crate, and injuring themselves when trying to break out of their crate more than once.
We use science-based training methods to treat separation anxiety behaviors. This includes classical conditioning and positive reinforcement to teach your dog positive associations when you are away.
Benefits of Separation Anxiety Training
Separation Anxiety Training can reduce the stress and anxiety your dog feels when left alone. This allows them to be relaxed during periods of separation and improves their overall behavioral wellness. This is achieved through behavior modification training, which teaches your dog positive associations so they can feel comfortable and confident in their own company.
Our co-founders, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Dr. Echterling-Savage and Certified Dog Behavior Consultant Sean Savage, have over 50 years of combined experience treating complex separation anxiety cases. Their work focuses on identifying the underlying causes of separation anxiety, not just the symptoms, to reduce problem behaviors such as excessive barking, destructive behavior, and attempts to escape confinement in search of their owners. By the end of the training program, you will be able to leave your home without worrying about your dog being stressed, anxious, or engaging in destructive behavior.
Training Programs
This program offers virtual consultations with Dr. Echterling-Savage to manage your dog’s separation anxiety behaviors. It includes a personalized training plan, ongoing support, and expert guidance to ensure lasting success.
As one of the few certified Behavior Analysts specializing in Applied Animal Behavior and among only 50 CAABs nationwide, Dr. Echterling-Savage brings exceptional expertise to each session. Her vast experience includes a doctorate in the field, published research on canine behavior modification, and 25 years of hands-on practice. Recognized as a leading expert in her field, Dr. Echterling-Savage provides a rare opportunity for those looking to make substantial progress with their dog’s separation anxiety behaviors.
Dr. Echterling-Savage will connect with you virtually to evaluate your dog’s behavior, designing a training program that addresses your dog’s unique needs. After your initial meeting, Dr. Echterling-Savage will continue to offer guidance and troubleshoot any separation anxiety behaviors, ensuring ongoing progress in your dog’s training. This program runs for four weeks for mild cases and five weeks for moderate or severe cases.
This training plan is designed to address separation anxiety behaviors by creating positive associations with being alone, helping your dog feel confident and relaxed in their own company. Behaviors that are addressed in this program include barking excessively when alone, scratching at the door or dog crate when alone, and urinating or defecating in the crate or home, regardless of whether they have been potty trained.
This program includes:
Depending on the distance from Tampa Bay, travel may be complimentary or require a small additional cost.
Our separation anxiety training programs use science-based training methods, including counterconditioning, to help your dog develop positive associations with being alone and reduce anxiety-related behaviors.
Our separation anxiety training programs are designed by Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Echterling-Savage. She will create a personalized plan with private training sessions so that you can best meet the unique needs of your dog.
Your dog will experience hands-on training directly from two renowned experts while staying in their Tampa Bay home.
Dr. Kristyn Echterling-Savage is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a Ph.D. in Behavioral Psychology, specializing in animal behavior. She has over 20 years of hands-on experience teaching dogs high-level obedience, manners, and addressing problem behaviors. Dr. Echterling-Savage also trains and mentors Beyond the Dog’s trainers.
Sean Savage is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) and Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA). He brings over two decades of experience training obedience, manners, and addressing a wide range of behavioral challenges.
Together, they ensure every retreat delivers personalized, science-based training that delivers exceptional results in both home and public settings. While staying with Kristyn and Sean, your dog will live as part of the family, enjoying a balanced schedule of exercise, play, and downtime.
Before starting training, we ask that you submit your completed “Indirect Assessment of Canine Behavior” so that we may understand more about your dog’s behavioral history. You will then meet with Dr. Echterling-Savage for a virtual consultation to discuss your training goals and your dog’s separation anxiety behavior. This will assist Dr. Echterling-Savage in developing a personalized training program that addresses the unique needs of your dog.
Dr. Echterling-Savage, Sean Savage, or a trusted staff member will transport your dog from your home to their Tampa Bay home, where they will become part of the family during their stay. Throughout the four-week board and train program, your dog will train at their home and throughout Tampa Bay, with training addressing separation anxiety behaviors and teaching high-level obedience commands, manners, and socialization skills. By training across multiple settings with various distractions, we can generalize your dog’s new skills to any setting.
You will receive regular communication from your trainers, including progress reports, emails, and phone calls, to keep you informed about your dog’s training progress. At the end of the four-week wellness retreat, Dr. Echterling-Savage or Sean Savage will return your dog home. You will receive 4.5 hours of return and follow-up lessons, which will teach you how to maintain all your new skills to ensure long-term success with training.