Separation anxiety is common for dogs, who often feel insecure when separated from their human, and easily become agitated as a result. Dog separation anxiety training is designed to help dogs learn that temporary separation doesn’t mean permanent abandonment, as well as to show your dog that they’re completely safe when left alone. By getting to know your dog and identifying what triggers their anxiety, we’ll help them feel confident and comfortable when you leave home, so that both of you have a great experience when you return.
Covid-19 forced many people to stay at home indefinitely—causing many puppies to adopt many bad habits as a result. Since many puppies spent so much of their early lives cooped up inside, many pups adopted during the pandemic have begun to show signs of stress and anxiety when left alone. Many of them also struggle to socialize with other dogs—engendering aggression—and are often fearful of other new experiences and people outside the home. If you have a dog (or puppy) that’s experiencing social anxiety as a result of the pandemic, contact us to find out how our social anxiety program can help them recover and learn the skills they need to thrive.
With our Basics training package, we’ll teach your dog to be comfortable when left alone. By identifying what’s causing their anxiety, we’ll help them first to realize that temporary separation doesn’t mean permanent abandonment, and second, teach them more constructive ways to behave when you’re not home.
With our Total Dog!, training package, we’ll help your dog overcome anxious behaviors both at home and on the go, so that you can feel comfortable taking them anywhere. If your dog has dog has more challenging anxious behaviors that need to be addressed, our Total Dog! program can help them overcome them as well.
Schedule a consultation so we can discuss your dog's situation and assess their needs. From there, we’ll work with you to develop a separation anxiety training program designed around your dog’s needs and what you want to achieve.
Watch and be amazed as one of our expertly trained dog trainers meets with your dog to teach them new behaviors using positive progressive techniques. We’ll meet with your dog for as long as we need to meet the goals identified at the start of the program.
After your dog completes their training, they’ll remain anxiety-free for life. You’ll be able to leave home without them yelping, barking, whining, or crying—and return home to an untroubled dog. No excessive drooling, no defecating, no destructive behavior—just a friendly welcome and a wagging tail!
We’re happy to provide Total Dog! dog separation anxiety training in Austin and San Antonio. Call today to find out if we service your area!
As an individual with a certification in dog training, 3 ½ years of experience in training, as well as being an A.K.C and C.G.C evaluator and C.C.P.D.T With a specialization in behavior modification I have a unique perspective on how puppies/dogs can and will be and go on to be in terms of being fulfilled and successful in multiple aspects of their lives. While not trying to reinvent the wheel, my way of training is rather unique in the way that the behavior of the puppies/dogs is shaped. Whilst using treats as a means for reward after successfully completing a command has been the traditional route for far longer than one can imagine, I have noticed that affection as a means for reward breeds long term fulfillment, and success for both the puppy/dog and owner, therefore, I have implemented this reward system in my way of training, negating the over-treating of a puppy/dog which in-turn negates the creation of separation anxiety and other bad habits that can and will develop from over-treating. By implementing affection as the means for reward, the puppy/dog understands that he or she will be rewarded with affection and they will execute any command more successfully.
I am an entrepreneur in the wellness industry, and as such, I see firsthand the impacts that dogs can have on their families…good and bad! My desire to help people find balance in their lives perfectly dove-tailed into the mission that Total Dog! has, so it was very easy for me to adopt the Total Dog! philosophies not only on my personal Great Pyrenees, but I was then inspired to learn how to bring this to anyone that I can!
I had studied many books and videos, and while there is amazing information readily available, there is also a lot of ineffective information out there as well. Having a single source to get to the truth is amazing!
My Pyrenees is now the “start of the “show” when I am at local Farmers’ Markets, and I can take her off leash wherever I am allowed, without the fear of her running off or getting into scuffles with other animals. We are experiencing true freedom! She is also certified as a Service Dog! Many know that Pyrs can be a bit stubborn, especially on recall, but she now checks in with me to make sure that she is still within the predetermined range that I have set for her.
I am so excited to help you find the same joy with your dog as I do with mine. My whole philosophy on life and wellness is about balance, and having an unruly dog can certainly throw things off! We are here to help!
Starting with her family’s Cocker Spaniel at the local obedience club, Jillian began training when she was 11 years old. This prompted her to get her own dog when she was 13; a rescued Shetland Sheepdog named Missy. They trialed in AKC and the 4H club in agility, conformation, and obedience and eventually got into work as a therapy dog team. This was the root of Jillian's love for dog training.
Now active with her 3 Australian Shepherds, they compete in agility, conformation, obedience, rally obedience, scent work, and herding/stock. Together they have earned numerous titles in each of these venues and have competed at the National level. In 2019 Jillian and her dog Dosey Doe won the High in Trial award for Agility at the ASCA Nationals in Bakersfield, CA. While her personal dogs focus is on competitive sports, her professional work has been centered around general wellness and behaviors.
Jillian's background in professionally working with dogs includes an education as a Registered Veterinary Technician and managing her own grooming business. This has given her a unique perspective in more than just training. Jillian believes in looking at the whole dog to get the best results in their behavior, but also focuses on being a coach for the owners to know how to make desired changes stick.
Family always comes first. Especially my boys Christian (8) and Jovahnny (baby) and my little brother Adrian (9). I’ve always had a big heart for pets, especially dogs. Currently don’t have any pets due to just having a baby who doesn’t do too well with animals but we do plan to get one in the future. I am bilingual, I was born in Mexico but raised in Round Rock, TX. Love going to Mexico to visit my family and of course their delicious food. Excited for the opportunity to help dogs and their owners in Central Texas.
Melinda’s passion for training began at 9 years of age with her family dog, Hershey. Since then, Melinda has enjoyed training her own dogs for fun in agility, skills, hunting, tricks, and service dog work. In 2017, Melinda medically retired from law enforcement and began a new journey where she could turn her passion for dogs into a career. Melinda attended Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage in 2020 where she earned her Canine Massage Therapy license. Since then, she has found a true passion for helping owners build the best relationship possible with their dogs. During her free time, Melinda trains and competes in dog sports and continues their never-ending journey of canine education.
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Cassandra started working with dogs as a young girl when her family decided to open a rescue right out of her home after losing their family dog to breed discrimination.
Always passionate about working with animals, she continued her rescue efforts throughout her life by volunteering in shelters and learning from experts in the field about the handling and training of dogs and cats. After several years of apprenticeships in dog training, working for dog training companies, and serving as the operations and training director of a large scale pit bull rescue for over four years, she joined the Total Dog Team. Today, her mission is to empower owners with the confidence to improve the relationship with their dogs through education, training, and behavior modification.
Haley has always had a love for animals and helping others. She currently has two dogs named Roscoe and Duke as well as two daughters Raynee and Emilia. She strives to continue growing in everything she does. As an administrator Haley enjoys making one on one connections with clients and providing the best information for their training needs. Haley enjoys spending time at the lake with friends and family. Today, her goal is to help as many clients as possible and to empower her team by being a positive role model.
Founder, Professional Dog Trainer & AKC Evaluator
SGT Brice Cavanaugh founded Total Dog! and is on the Board of Directors for the National Tactical Police Dog Association, Operation Overwatch and The Pink Berets. He is a Professional Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and is an Evaluator for the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen multi-tiered program.
As an instructor in the tactical field, constant reading of journals and LE updates is a must. Brice’s unique perspectives come from decades of experience, from the tactical training and deployment of Military Working Dogs and Police Service Dogs to the instruction of deployment teams working in theater in some of the harshest conditions in the world.
As an instructor in the tactical field, constant reading of journals and LE updates is a must.
Not listed are dozens of courses that cover everything from Counterterrorism Tactics to Radiological Scanning Devices.
Dogs can slowly acclimate to separation by learning to associate being left alone with the feeling of comfort and calm. First, we’ll work with your dog to show them that when you leave, you’ll also come back, so they learn that separation is only temporary—that it's safe to be left alone. From there, we’ll simply work with them to increase the amount of time they can be left alone without resorting to anxious behaviors, until they can be left alone for longer periods.
All of them. Our trainers have helped all breeds of dogs eliminate all kinds of anxious behaviors including: excessive drooling, panting, crying, barking and whining when separated, urinating and defecating when left alone, escaping or pacing, and destructive behavior such as chewing.
Yes. All dogs can overcome separation anxiety with training, regardless of their specific breed, gender, or age.
If you have concerns about your dog’s ability to overcome their anxiety, contact us to find out how we can tailor our program to accommodate their needs and aid your dog in the process.
We provide our Total Dog! separation anxiety training in Austin, Texas and San Antonio, Texas, so you should be able to have your dog trained if you live in the Central Texas area.
We offer a Total Dog! dog training package that includes unlimited lessons until your dog reaches the goals identified at the start of the program. Following the program's completion, you'll have the opportunity to extend your dog's training to help them reach new goals.
Click here to learn more about our dog training packages.