Personalised Separation Anxiety Training for Dogs
Teach your dog you will always come home to them
I can help your dog feel safe being home alone with step-by-step, science-based separation anxiety training, tailored to their needs.
I can help you reclaim your freedom and find calm, with clear guidance and compassionate support from a Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Behaviour Consultant.
🐾 Looking for support with dog training, puppy training, or general behaviour support in Montrose?
I also offer personalised one-to-one training locally, brought to you — no need for you to travel.
Mini-Guide: Understanding Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety
Free resource
Start helping your dog feel safe when home alone — gently, step by step.
Looking for deeper support beyond the mini-guide?
Explore the Stepping Stones to Calm eBook
Worried your dog might have separation anxiety?
Not every dog will show the same signs of separation anxiety, and they don’t need to display every symptom to be struggling.
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to separation anxiety, but some of the more common signs include:
Destructive behaviours (chewing, digging, scratching)
Visible anxiety (pacing, trembling, salivating, panting)
Vocalisations (barking, howling, whining)
Attempts to escape
Toilet accidents indoors
“I came home to find my dog had ripped down the curtains in a panic.”
“I’m sorry, I’d love to come — but I can’t leave my dog home alone.”
“I can’t go out. My neighbours complain about the barking every time I leave.”
Do any of these statements sound familiar?
I understand how overwhelming it can feel — I’ve been there myself with my own dog, Shadow.
That’s why I created a free mini guide to help you understand what separation anxiety is, and where true progress begins.
Looking for deeper support beyond the mini guide?
Stepping Stones to Calm is my practical, science-based eBook exploring the separation anxiety training process in more depth.
Learn how to recognise your dog’s individual threshold, build absences gradually, notice subtle signs of discomfort, decide when and how to progress, and navigate setbacks along the way.
How I can help
I can help you break away from your dog’s separation anxiety with a tailored approach designed around their pace. I’ll teach your dog that being home alone isn’t something to fear, and together we can transform your lives to find calm and freedom.
If your dog is struggling with separation anxiety, let’s connect to create a personalised plan that makes them feel safe.
The scientifically proven step-by-step process I use to support dogs in becoming comfortable alone is the gradual exposure method. I am a fully qualified Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Behaviour Consultant, having trained with Julie Naismith – the go-to expert in canine separation anxiety and this approach.
Research suggests that gradual exposure is one of the most effective ways to treat separation anxiety. It is a humane, compassionate method that focuses entirely on going at your dog’s pace. Your dog will never be asked to cope with more than they can manage at any one point.
Find out more about me and my journey with dogs, explore my separation anxiety resources, or read reviews and testimonials from people I've worked with.
Ways to work with me
Online separation anxiety support often leads to more accurate assessments and more effective training, as another person’s presence in the home can easily change the dynamics and influence how your dog feels and responds. By working remotely, I’m able to observe your dog in a more natural and authentic environment, allowing us to better understand their emotional responses around being alone.
Whether you're looking for an introductory conversation, an in-depth assessment, a supported training programme, or follow-up guidance after training, we can find the right starting point for you and your dog.
As long as you speak English or Italian, we can work together remotely — wherever you are in the world.
Separation anxiety training in practice
Separation anxiety training is an ongoing, individualised process rather than something that happens just during our sessions.
During a supported programme, you’ll usually carry out a short, individualised training exercise 4–5 days per week and record it for me to review. You’ll let me know how the exercise went, and I’ll review your dog’s response, send you feedback and use what we’ve learned to plan and adapt the next exercise.
This means your dog’s training develops step by step according to how they’re actually responding, rather than following a predetermined timetable. You’ll also have WhatsApp support throughout, so questions, doubts or problems can be addressed as they arise.
Your programme also includes an initial assessment, flexible one-to-one consultations and a final review, alongside session recordings and additional resources to support you throughout the process.
Free introductory call
A free introductory conversation to talk through your dog’s separation anxiety, ask questions about the training process, and explore whether this support feels like the right fit for you and your dog.
Separation anxiety training programmes
Separation anxiety training is a gradual process, and every dog responds differently. It isn’t possible to predict in advance how long an individual dog will need to reach the amount of comfortable alone time their family requires.
The 4, 8 and 12-week options below refer to how long you’ll have my full support, rather than how long your dog’s overall training is expected to take. Whichever programme you choose, we’ll work at your dog’s individual pace and adapt the training according to how they’re responding.
12-week programme: £975
or 3 monthly payments of £330
60-minute initial assessment
Individualised training exercises 4–5 days per week, which I plan and adapt based on your dog’s response, with ongoing video review and feedback
WhatsApp support throughout for questions, doubts or problems
5 flexible one-to-one consultations, up to 45 minutes each
60-minute final review
Session recordings and additional resources
8-week programme: £675
or 2 monthly payments of £340
60-minute initial assessment
Individualised training exercises 4–5 days per week, which I plan and adapt based on your dog's response, with ongoing video review and feedback
WhatsApp support throughout for questions, doubts or problems
3 flexible one-to-one consultations, up to 45 minutes each
60-minute final review
Session recordings and additional resources
4-week programme: £450
one-off payment
60-minute initial assessment
Individualised training exercises 4–5 days per week, which I plan and adapt based on your dog’s response, with ongoing video review and feedback
WhatsApp support throughout for questions, doubts or problems
1 flexible one-to-one consultation, up to 30 minutes
60-minute final review
Session recordings and additional resources
Would you like to continue with full support after your programme ends?
You can choose another programme and receive a 12% loyalty discount when you book before your current support ends.
Separation anxiety assessment — £110
An in-depth online assessment to help you understand your dog's current starting point, emotional responses, and the most appropriate next steps for separation anxiety training.
If you book a supported programme within 14 days of your assessment, the £110 assessment fee will be deducted from the programme price.
Alongside my supported programmes, I also offer an initial assessment as a standalone option, as well as lighter-touch support for previous clients who no longer need their training to be actively managed day to day.
Other ways I can support you
Post-programme consultation — £95
A one-to-one consultation for previous clients who would like to discuss a specific question, change or difficulty after their supported programme has ended.
This can be useful if something has changed, you've encountered a new challenge, or you'd like individual guidance on how to move forward.
Continued Support — £125 per month
For previous clients who have completed a supported programme and are ready to manage their dog's training more independently, while still having access to guidance when needed.
Includes WhatsApp contact for questions, doubts or problems with your dog's existing separation anxiety training, plus up to 4 targeted video reviews per month, used flexibly whenever needed.
This option does not include individualised daily training exercises or scheduled consultations.
By booking a Separation Anxiety Assessment, programme or other separation anxiety service, you agree to my Terms & Conditions.
“My 1-year-old Cavapoo, Marlo, had really bad anxiety the minute I even tried to get to the door, or if he lost sight of me for a second.
Working with Zaira was definitely the best decision for me and Marlo. Her calm and positive attitude has completely changed his view on being alone. The tailored training plan worked so well, and now he feels safe being on his own. We still have work to do, but now we know how to train.
I would absolutely recommend Zaira to anyone with a dog suffering from separation anxiety. The difference in Marlo is huge. He hasn’t only changed in being left alone — he’s also more confident in general, his recall has improved, and his behaviour overall is better.
During the 8 weeks, both Marlo and I learned so much. Mummy and Marlo are very grateful for all you did for us.”
Marlo’s story
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Start your dog's separation anxiety training journey — and take the first step toward calm and confidence
