Grant & Charlie (Seattle, WA)

A few weeks into life with my new rescue pup, I realized that he had some separation anxiety issues beyond just adjusting to his new home. His anxiety (especially when crated) manifested in barking and destructive behavior. My vet and foster community recommended desensitization training as part of the toolset to help him improve. I started working with Jackie based on the recommendation of local trainers who encouraged me to try a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT) - and pointed out that many CSATs are able to be 100% remote.

When Jackie started training with my dog, he became anxious pretty much immediately upon departure. Training with Jackie began with small steps to simulate departures, gradually increasing the stakes while carefully monitoring my dog's panic levels. It can feel like a slow process over the first few weeks but gradually I got to see my dog's confidence grow, and Jackie is an excellent guide on what to expect and encourages throughout. The rigor she helps bring to the training made me feel like this IS something I can tackle, and I can't say how important it is to have someone like Jackie in your corner supporting your dog's growth.

After 8 weeks of training I'm know into the second week "on my own" self-running a program with the tools Jackie's given me. My dog has made great strides over this time frame, especially given the disruptions caused by holidays etc. He can now be left alone for 4-5 hour stretches and has done as long as 7, and we're working slowly towards balancing more workdays at least partially at home on his own - which felt impossible a few months ago! I'm so grateful for having gone through Believe in Your Dog.