080 What Do We Really Mean by "Evidence" and Why Does That Matter?
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast
Release Date: 02/04/2023
102 Navigating Your Dog's Separation Anxiety Through the Holiday Season
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast
Are you uncertain about how the holiday season will impact your dog's separation anxiety? In this latest podcast episode, we address the common concerns and questions surrounding separation anxiety during this time of year. We're diving into the potential effects of holiday routines and we'll look at practical advice on whether to continue training during this period. Learn how to manage your dog's separation anxiety during holiday travels and get tips on what to expect if you take a break from training. Embrace the upcoming holiday season with confidence and look forward to a motivated start...
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101 Separation Anxiety and the House Training Conundrum with Kathleen McClure
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast
Struggling with a dog who soils the house? Not sure whether it’s anxiety or a house training issue? . Well, if this is your dog, you don’t need me to tell you how frustrating it is. That’s why, in this episode I’m joined by Kathleen McClure, a Certified SA Pro who also has a partcular focus on house training. Kathleen and I had a fascinating conversation about dogs who go in the house. Here are 5 key takeaways: 1. What the difference is between house training issues related to anxiety and those that aren’t. 2. The importance of reinforcement and creating...
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100 Ten Things I’d Tell My Younger Self About My Dog’s Separation Anxiety
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast
Imagine being able to send a letter to your past self, filled with wisdom and advice about the challenging road ahead with a dog who has separation anxiety. Today, I’m doing just that. I’ll share the 10 key lessons that I wish I knew 13 years ago, from the emotional ups and downs to the importance of ignoring opinions and seeking expert advice. For information on how I can help you, visit my website:
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099 Is There Actually a Cure for Separation Anxiety in Dogs?
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast
In this episode, we're diving into a topic that many of you may have considered: can we ever really cure separation anxiety? Is it possible to fully and finally get dogs over this condition such that they have a normal response to being left alone—a permanent change that we might describe as a cure? Well, join me as I look at what we really mean by separation anxiety recovery. I’ll explain why I think talk of curing or fixing is unhelpful. And I’ll explore the reality of recovery and ongoing management. I'll also discuss why the return of old fears doesn't mean recovery is...
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098 The Two Minute Rule: Your Secret Weapon Against Training Procrastination
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast
If you’ve ever put off separation anxiety training, you are definitely not alone. Procrastination in training is such a common issue. Human brains are naturally inclined to seek immediate rewards, and a session of separation training definitely doesn't deliver that. It's all about long-term pay back. No wonder then, that it can be easy to put training off. But there's a nifty hack I want to share with you, that will help you bust procrastination. It’s called the Two Minute Rule. And no, it’s in no way related to how long food is safe on the floor after being dropped. ...
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097 Separation Anxiety: Revealing the Truth Behind Social Media Misinformation
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast
In today's episode, we're diving deep into the world of social media and its impact on our understanding of separation anxiety in dogs. We'll explore the myths, misconceptions, and misinformation that often circulate online, and how they can confuse and derail us when trying to help our pups. From miracle cures to blaming owners for their dogs' anxiety, we'll debunk at the big social media myths, and I'll share what the real truth actually is. We'll also discuss the importance of being critical consumers of information, especially when it comes to our dogs' health and wellbeing. So,...
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096 Is Separation Anxiety Training Actually Futile? No. Here's Why
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast
Ever wondered if all the separation anxiety training you do is actually worth it? Well, that very topic came up during a recent group coaching Zoom with my Separation Anxiety Heroes members. And it made me think: is separation anxiety training actually ever a waste of time? Well, I’m passionate that it is a worthwhile endeavor. Admittedly, while the gradual exposure method works for most dogs, there are some dogs that do not respond to this type of training and never recover from separation anxiety. However, even for these dogs, training is not futile. That’s why in this episode I...
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095 A Hard Truth: Why Not Leaving Your Dog Is Ridiculously Tough, But Absolutely Necessary
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast
One of the hardest things I ever have to tell anyone is that to get their dog over separation anxiety, they need to find ways not to leave their dog in the meantime. It never goes down well. And I get that. I mean, when you get a dog the last thing you sign up for is not even being able to go out to get a pint of milk without your dog howling down the house. But the thing is, in order for the gold standard separation anxiety treatment (gradual exposure) to work, we have to stop dogs having exposure to scary alone time. I do get how impossibly hard this can be, though. I wouldn't suggest it if...
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094 Understanding the Problems with Punishment: An Interview with Dr. Karolina Westlund.
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast
On this episode of Be Right Back! Separation Anxiety Podcast, I get to chat to the brilliant Dr. Karolina Westlund, a huge name in the world of animal behaviour. Our focus? The use of punitive approaches in dog training, and in particular the problems associated with punishment. Karolina has identified 20 major pitfalls linked to punishment (she says there are likely even more!), and, in our discussion, she highlights some of the key issues. If you like the science of animal behaviour, and love a geek out, you'll be hooked by this one! To dive into Karolina's blog, . To get my free guide...
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093 Beyond Obedience: Teaching Your Dog How to Feel Safe in a Daunting World
Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast
Join me in the latest episode of "Be Right Back! Separation Anxiety Podcast", where I explain the single most important lesson we can teach our dogs: that they are safe. In the episode, we also look at how to keep dogs safe, and why must prioritize our dog's emotional well-being above all else. We'll explore why the use of unethical, aversive training tools exploits a dog's need to be safe, and dissect why these tools can be so damaging. We'll also dive into how understanding dog body language is crucial in identifying dogs' discomfort or fear. If you're keen on creating a...
info_outlineWe here a lot about "evidence" in dog training. But do we always know what we mean when we describe an approach as being "evidence-based"?
And what about research and studies? We know these matter but we also know that there isn't a study for every single thing we do in dog training.
Sometimes that’s a problem. Sometimes it’s not.
And in this episode I dive into what we mean by evidence-based, how prior probability plays a part, and where the burden of proof lies when making a claim about a dog training method.
Learn more at julienaismith.com
Links mentioned
Summary of research on separation anxiety (1)
Summary of research on separation anxiety (2)