Best Buddies Dog Training & Behaviour

26/05/2026

Nelson Mandela once said,

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

And sometimes separation anxiety can feel a little like that too.

You feel like you’re making progress.
Your dog has been coping better.
You start to feel hopeful.
You finally feel like things are moving forward.

Then suddenly…
things feel harder again.

Your dog struggles.
Training didn’t go to plan.
You feel deflated and wonder if you’ve somehow gone backwards.

But setbacks do not mean failure.

Progress with separation anxiety is very rarely a straight line. There will often be wobbles, pauses, harder days and moments where things feel messy again.

That doesn’t erase the progress your dog has already made.

In fact, one of the biggest signs of progress is often that you begin noticing the smaller changes much sooner than before. You become more aware, more observant and more understanding of what your dog is communicating.

That awareness matters.

The important thing is not perfection.
It’s what happens next.

Taking a breath.
Adjusting the plan.
Slowing things down if needed.
Supporting your dog through the difficult moments instead of giving up.

Sometimes progress with separation anxiety can feel a little like climbing a spiral staircase…
you occasionally pass familiar views again, but you are not necessarily back at the beginning ❤️

If you are struggling please reach out......

25/05/2026

What glorious weather we’ve had over this May Bank Holiday weekend ☀️

I wonder what you’ve been up to?

Probably something far more exciting than the early morning gardening I’ve been doing… but it definitely needed doing and was long overdue!

There are always reasons or excuses why we put things off, but the problem is that the things needing attention rarely just disappear. More often than not, they become bigger and more stressful over time.

Having a plan and knowing where and how to start made the whole job feel so much easier. It didn’t take long before the small changes I was making each day became more noticeable… and far less overwhelming.

The same can often be said for living with a dog struggling with separation anxiety.

It’s so easy to put things off, especially when you don’t know where to begin or feel worried about getting things wrong. Before long, it can all start to feel incredibly overwhelming.

If you’re reading this and feeling a little lost with your dog’s separation anxiety, please know you’re not alone. Knowing where and how to start can make things feel so much clearer and calmer.

If you’re struggling, please do reach out ❤️

I can help you on a 1-to-1 basis or through self-paced guidance, and a short chat about your situation can help you decide what feels right for you and your dog.

01/05/2026

Helping a dog overcome separation anxiety can feel like a slow process.

It’s so tempting to push ahead…
only to find things start to crumble.

For many dogs, moving forward by just a few seconds is enough.
And that’s okay, they’re learning to overcome one of their biggest fears- being home alone.

Next time you feel tempted to rush ahead, think about this…

One minute doesn’t sound like much, does it?

But when you’re starting something new, it can feel huge.

Take something like a plank or a wall sit.
On paper, it’s “just one minute”…

But when you’re doing it for the first time,
it can feel like the longest minute of your life!

That’s exactly how it can feel for dogs
when they’re first learning to be home alone.

Slow and steady really does matter!

30/04/2026

There’s no doubt about it…
living with a dog with separation anxiety can feel incredibly stressful.

It takes time.
It takes patience.
And it takes real commitment.

Some days, it can feel like a long road.

But when you’re following a process that truly supports both you and your dog, progress does come.

Separation anxiety training is rarely linear.
There are ups, downs, and the occasional roadblock along the way…

…but it is so worth it.

Because when you finally turn a corner —
you feel it.

That relief. That excitement. That hope.

Just like one of my lovely owners messaged me today 👇

26/04/2026

25/04/2026

They just have to get on with it.
They’re just dogs — they’ll be fine.
They have to fit into your lifestyle. They’ll grow out of it.

If you’re living with a dog struggling with separation anxiety, you’ve probably heard comments like these.

And whilst they may be said with good intentions, they’re often unhelpful and simply not true.

Instead of encouraging you, they can leave you feeling overwhelmed, defeated, and unsure where to even begin.

Because the reality is …

Dogs don’t “just get on with it.” Just like people with a fear or phobia, they need help, understanding, and support.

They’re not “just dogs.” They’re living, feeling beings capable of experiencing stress, panic, and distress when they don’t understand how to cope.

And yes… they do need to fit into your lifestyle to a degree. Just like anyone in a family, there has to be some level of adjustment for things to work and feel calm.

But fitting in doesn’t mean coping alone.

It doesn’t mean being left to struggle. And it doesn’t mean they should somehow “figure it out” without guidance.

What they do need…is to be gently shown what’s expected of them and supported, step by step, as they learn.
If this sounds like your dog, you’re not alone — and there is a way forward.

Feel free to drop me a message or comment below — I’m always happy to help you figure out the next step.

19/04/2026

It’s such a lovely feeling when owners start to see progress 😊

One of my owners today was so excited…all the hard work is starting to pay off, and you could hear it in her voice.

Overcoming separation anxiety can feel tough at times but when they begin to turn a corner the sun comes out!

This is often the part that catches people out…it takes time, patience, and sticking with the process even when it feels slow.
But when it starts to come together, it really does feel worth it.

So this is just a little shout out to those of you who are persevering, staying consistent and starting to see those changes.

You’re getting there!

23/03/2026

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow 🌱

It’s easy to look at a calm, settled dog and think… “I just want that.”

But what we don’t always see is where it started.

Small steps. Short moments. Tiny pieces of progress that didn’t feel like much at the time.

That’s how real change happens.

And when it comes to separation anxiety, those “little steps” often begin before you even leave the room never mind the home.

It’s not about rushing. It’s not about pushing through.

It’s about building things slowly, with patience… so your dog can truly feel safe being home alone.

Because that’s how your little acorn grows 🌿

If this feels familiar and you’d like a bit of support, feel free to reach out ...I’m always happy to chat.

Jan

21/03/2026

This year I’ll be taking part in a couple of 10K charity events and then working towards a half marathon… exciting! 🏃‍♀️

When you think about it, 10K doesn’t sound very far… but when you enter an event, you have to complete the route within set times and that puts a completely different slant on things.

Suddenly it becomes about preparation, building up distance gradually, and becoming more comfortable at a slightly quicker pace.

I’m not competitive by nature, but I do like to achieve. So success for me will simply be completing the distance within the allowed time.

And when you think about it… there are so many similarities when it comes to helping our dogs overcome separation anxiety.

First, you make a start, that’s taking action.

Then comes the preparation (we’ll talk more about that another time). And from there, it’s about gradually building up the time your dog can comfortably manage being alone.

Success isn’t about how quickly your dog “gets over it.”
It’s about the small, steady steps… The moments they cope just a little better… How easily they settle again between each stage…

Just like training for a charity event, overcoming separation anxiety is a journey built on small, achievable, comfortable steps towards a bigger goal.

If you’re on this journey with your dog right now, knowing how to take those next steps can make all the difference.

Jan x

17/03/2026

Sometimes it’s not the training that feels hardest…

It’s everything around it.

Planning your day.
Working out when you can go out.
Feeling like you always need to be back.

Many owners juggle their lives around their dog, whilst others struggle to do that...it can feel exhausting.

You may be feeling this way too...

Jan x