With the winter school holidays upon us and July officially marking Anti-Boredom Month, our latest line-up is all about beating canine cabin fever and keeping the whole family engaged indoors.

For the adults, we are tackling behavioural science and modern dog culture from every angle. Our selection ranges from a witty, behind-the-scenes training memoir and practical indoor enrichment games to a deep, thought-provoking look at the ethics of modern pet ownership. We have also included an advanced clinical reference text to perfectly complement our July features on separation-related behaviours and attachment science, rounded out with a touch of artistic mindfulness for those quiet afternoons.

Over in our Kids Corner, we’ve lined up a vibrant mix of storytelling and interactive fun sorted strictly by age. Younger readers can dive into gorgeous local adventures on Kangaroo Island, hands-on therapy dog activity workbooks, and a stunning emotional-awareness alphabet guide. We finish with a beautifully soothing bedtime read designed to wind down the littlest members of your pack after a busy day inside.

Explore our top July picks and discover your next favourite winter read!

MISADVENTURES OF THE WORLD'S OKAYEST DOG TRAINER
25 Cases to Guide Dog Trainers & Behaviourists in Their Career

By Melissa McCue-McGrath

If you’ve ever said, ‘I love dogs, but I hate people’, this book is for you.

Following the lead of Dr. Nick Trout and Dr. Phillip Schott, who brought readers behind the scenes in busy animal hospitals, Misadventures follows quirky and (eventually) confident McCue-McGrath into people’s most intimate spaces, their homes, through a decades-long career in dog training and behaviour.

This part-memoir, part-career guide is the first of its kind to put readers in a behaviourist’s seat, feeling the flush of embarrassment when explaining humping to second graders, the shock of finding adult toys on client’s countertops, and the stab of anxiety when aggression cases go sideways. This book is more than a day in the life of a dog trainer, but a look at the rapid evolution of understanding canine behaviour over the last twenty years.

The interplay between the author’s often comical, and sometimes heart-breaking, personal journey into a still unregulated industry perfectly mirrors the global shift from outdated, dominance-based training to modern behavioural sciences. The payoff is a hopeful look at what we can do for animals, what these pets already do for humans, and what we humans can do for each other.

Melissa’s personal journey through the world of dog training offers great insight to those curious about picking up a leash and entering the industry. Alongside her experiences are practical and technical advice for the behavioural professional including signposted resources and coverage of relevant industry bodies. Through the 147 dogs (and one cat) Melissa demystifies this rewarding profession. But most importantly, these beloved pets teach us what saved means, what love means, what hubris is, and remind us all that animals truly make us more human.

Paperback, 352 pages
Publisher: Nottingham University Press, 15 April 2026

RRP: $39.99 from Amazon Australia 

FUN TRAINING & GAMES FOR DOGS
By Bruce Miller

Training a dog doesn't have to feel like work, and learning doesn't have to feel like pressure. With July officially marking Anti-Boredom Month just as we hit the grim depths of the Australian winter, this vibrant release is the ultimate antidote to canine cabin fever.

A joyful, practical guide that shows families how to train, bond with, and truly enjoy their dogs through play-based learning, simple games, and everyday activities, this book transforms essential training skills into fun, confidence-building experiences designed for real life.

Covering everything from house training, loose-leash walking, and reliable recall to brain games, enrichment activities, and family-friendly challenges, Miller seamlessly blends modern canine science with warmth, humour, and clarity. Each chapter offers easy-to-follow games that help dogs learn faster and stay emotionally balanced without harsh methods or complicated routines. Emphasising communication, trust, and connection rather than strict obedience, it is a perfect lifesaver for getting the kids involved over the school holidays to tire out a cooped-up pup indoors.

As Book Three of The Family Dog Series—following The Science & Secrets of Dogs and How to Speak Dog—this title is a natural fit for libraries, schools, and any dog lover looking to encourage calm behaviour, confidence, and deeper bonds during the frosty months ahead.

Series: The Family Dog Series
Paperback, 126 pages
Publisher: Pacific Trust Holdings NZ Ltd., 26th February 2026

Price: $35.79 from Amazon Australia

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO LOVE DOGS
A Cultural And Ethical Exploration
By Melina Jacques

What does the modern dog represent?

In contemporary life, the dog has taken on a symbolic role that extends beyond companionship. It carries ideas about virtue and belonging, as well as moral identity.

This shift has reshaped public space and social expectations, along with the quiet rules that structure everyday life.

What It Really Means to Love Dogs examines the cultural structure behind this change. It traces how sentiment becomes normalised expectation, and how devotion can function as an unspoken social standard.

The result is a set of contradictions that are widely experienced but rarely named. Certain forms of intrusion become routine, while those expected to accommodate them are often left without a clear way to articulate what is happening.

The book asks what is usually left unexamined: what changes when an animal becomes a cultural ideal, and who bears the cost of that transformation.

Paperback, 182 pages
Publisher: Melina Jacques, 15th May 2026

Price: $22.86 from Amazon Australia

CANINE AND FELINE BEHAVIOUR (3rd Edition)

Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion 
Edited by Amy L. Pike and Debra F. Horwitz

For the training professionals, rescue workers, and serious behaviour nerds who love diving into the deep end of animal science, this newly released third edition is the ultimate desktop reference. 

Structured for fast, evidence-based navigation, this clinical companion equips readers with the latest diagnostic tools and treatment protocols to unpack complex canine and feline behaviours from a veterinary medical perspective.

This textbook is the perfect scholarly accompaniment to our feature articles in this month's magazine. If you are currently reading our deep-dive into The Velcro Dog: The Behavioural Science Behind Separation-Related Behaviours, you will find Pike and Horwitz's clinical breakdown of anxiety and hyper-attachment incredibly illuminating. 

Likewise, for those exploring the shifting dynamics in From Trainer to Parent: The Attachment Science of Transforming Behaviour, this text provides the essential scientific backing to bridge the gap between practical handling and advanced behavioural medicine.

Hardcover, 1280 pages
Publisher: Wiley (3rd edition), 3 April 2026

RRP: $191.95 at Amazon Australia

COSY CATS ‘N’ DOGS
By Cherry Lam

Begin your new cosy, creative hobby!

Unlock childlike joy with delightful scenes printed on high quality paper.

The 40+ bold and easy colouring images feature peaceful afternoons, playful antics and heart-warming moments shared with cats and dogs. With single-sided pages to avoid bleed-through, all you need are your favourite pencils or markers to get started.

Whether you are part of the colouring community on TikTok or looking for a fun activity away from screens, Cosy Cats 'n' Dogs is ideal for anyone seeking moments of artistic mindfulness.

Find a four-legged friend, smile and colour with an array of drawings designed to celebrate the joys of life with our furry companions.

Paperback, 96 pages
Publisher: Penguin Australia Pty Ltd, 16th June 2026

Price: $12.00 from Amazon Australia

BOOK CLUB – KIDS CORNER

DOG! 

A Book about Feelings, Alphabet-Style
By Karen D Gelhaar, Melinda A Cowen (Designed by), Donna Victor (Photographer)

Little kids and big emotions - it's a tough combination many parents struggle to navigate. That challenge inspired Dog! A Book About Feelings, Alphabet-Style - a joyful, visually captivating picture book that helps children explore emotions through the eyes (and faces!) of man's best friend. 

Each page pairs expressive black-and-white dog portraits with bold colours and playful rhymes, creating an alphabet of emotions kids will love. Dog! sparks empathy, connection, and emotional awareness - giving children a fun way to name their feelings, and parents an easy path to keep the conversation going.

Dog! aligns beautifully with stories that help children understand themselves and the world around them. We also know that this book can be enjoyed by adults who appreciate photography, dogs, poetry, humour, and whimsical graphic design. Dog! is the ultimate coffee table book for those who appreciate all these elements.

Hardcover, 58 pages
Publisher: Cowen Design, Inc., 6th May 2026
For Ages: 0 - 12 years old

Price: $37.71 from Amazon Australia

HARPER HELPS: A Therapy Dog's Tale
By T. Henry Marks, Nicole Reasonda (Illustrator)

Harper is a therapy dog who always knows who needs her. From hospitals and airplanes to schools and homes, Harper brings comfort with a gentle nudge, a patient wait, and a warm, steady presence. 

Through beautiful illustrations and heartfelt storytelling, Harper Helps shows children that kindness doesn't have to be loud, sometimes, the best help is simply showing up and staying close. 

Perfect for children ages 4-8, families, educators, and anyone who believes in the power of empathy and compassion. A portion of proceeds support therapy dog training programs.

Hardcover, 38 pages
Publisher: Stolen Socks Publishing LLC, 1st June 2026
For Ages: 4 - 10 years old

Price: $23.07 from Amazon Australia

LOOKING FOR MILO ON KANGAROO ISLAND
By Louise Custance

When Milo, a cheeky little black rescue dog, goes missing on Kangaroo Island, he embarks on a wild adventure across one of Australia's most stunning natural sanctuaries. As he playfully evades the local police dog, Sergeant, Milo explores rugged coastlines and native bushlands, meeting the remarkable locals along the way—including sea lions, wedge-tailed eagles, and, of course, plenty of kangaroos.

Beautifully written and illustrated by first-time author and landscape architect Louise Custance, this vibrant children's picture book captures the true heart, colours, and character of KI through her deep connection to her island home. 

It is a delightful read for young nature enthusiasts and dog lovers alike, with the bonus that a portion of every sale is donated directly to the KI Wildlife Network to support ongoing conservation on the island.

This wonderful holiday read was recently accepted by the ALS Library Network, meaning you can look out for it at your local library, and you can sneak a peek at the gorgeous pages via the author's Instagram preview link here Instagram Preview.

RRP: $31.95 (hardcover) and $21.95 (softcover) from Looking for Milo Official Site

ENZO’S STORY - A THERAPY DOG’S JOURNEY
By Dana Tozzi

Join Enzo, a lovable toy poodle, on an inspiring adventure as he discovers what it takes to become a certified therapy dog!

Designed for children aged 4–8, this engaging book follows Enzo’s heart-warming journey from an energetic pup to a community hero bringing comfort, smiles, and support to schools, hospitals, and libraries. Along the way, young readers will learn meaningful lessons about kindness, empathy, and the positive impact animals have on our emotional well-being.

More than just a story, this interactive book invites children to participate in Enzo's journey through hands-on activities, including word searches, colouring pages, mazes, puzzles, and drawing prompts. It perfectly blends storytelling with educational entertainment that fosters creativity and problem-solving. 

Ideal for home, classrooms, or therapy visits, Enzo’s story celebrates the special bond between dogs and humans, showing kids that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

Paperback, 52 pages
Publisher: Dana Tozzi, 5th June 2026
For Ages: 4 - 8 years old

Price: $20.89 from Booktopia

THE ART OF HOW DOGS SLEEP
By Alison Kim

Dogs can fall asleep at any time: right after breakfast, in the afternoon, or in the evening. But how do they do it? 

Let's pay attention closely, as there are quite a few details to observe, such as finding and preparing the perfect spot, stretching each toe bean eeeextra wide, and breathing long and slow.

Hardcover, 40 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers US, 30 June 2026
For Ages: 4 - 6 years

Price: $28.99 from Booktopia

WIN 2 Luxurious Waverley Mills ‘Tasman Tartan’ Pet Blankets (Total Prize Pool $398!)

For the companion who asks for nothing and deserves everything, your living room, your adventures, and your dog's nap times are about to get a serious, beautifully coordinated upgrade.

We’ve teamed up with the iconic Australian weavers at Waverley Mills to give away two (2) of their exquisite new Tasman Tartan Pet Blankets, offering the ultimate in premium winter comfort for your dog.

The Ultimate Tasmanian Winter Luxury—For Your Furry Best Friend

Rooted in over 150 years of rich weaving heritage, Waverley Mills has officially launched the Tasman Tartan – The Latitude of Home collection. This is not tartan as mere nostalgia; it’s a contemporary, practical interpretation shaped by the rugged landscapes, cool climate, and quiet pragmatism of Tasmania.

Drawing on the deep blues of the Bass Strait and the subdued natural tones of Maria Island sandstone, this collection reflects a life lived close to the elements—where objects must be both purposeful and enduring.

Best of all? Because Waverley Mills showcases matching colours for their human Tartan Scarves, you can now effortlessly create a beautifully curated, matching aesthetic with your furry best friend, whether you're relaxing at home or hitting the open road.

Why You and Your Dog Will Fall in Love with the Tasman Tartan Blanket:

✔ Circular Craftsmanship: At the heart of each pet blanket is a profound commitment to sustainability. Pure wool offcuts and ends are shredded, spun, and blended with Australian Merino wool to create a signature recycled yarn. Every thread is unique, creating a beautiful, variegated blanket with its own story to tell.

✔ Built for Everyday Adventures: Woven from a robust but soft 29-micron Merino wool blend (80% New Australian Wool, 20% Recycled Wool), it is soft enough to cosy up with inside, yet durable enough to handle muddy paws. The inverted darker tones are incredibly forgiving, making it as highly functional as it is heritage-focused.

✔ Exquisite Details: Features a classic herringbone weave and a beautifully finished whipped / blanket stitch edge. Measuring a generous 110 x 158 cm, it's the perfect size for couches, crates, car seats, or the end of your bed.

✔ Proudly Australian: Designed and made right here in Tasmania, Australia.

HOW TO ENTER:

Ready to treat your best friend to the absolute pinnacle of Australian-made comfort? Follow these simple steps to enter:

1. LIKE our giveaway post on Facebook or Instagram AND follow our pages.

2. LIKE the Waverley Mills Facebook page or @waverleymills on Instagram AND

3. COMMENT on our post telling us: "Why does your pet dream of a cosy WM Tasman Tartan Pet Blanket and which colour is your favourite - Straits Blue or Maria Tan?"

📸 Bonus Points: Photo or video entries showing your adorable pets are highly encouraged! Share them on our Facebook thread or post to your public Instagram account and tag @australiandoglover.

TERMS & CONDITIONS:

1. This Competition will open on Monday 29th June 2026 (6:00pm) and close on Wednesday 8th July 2026 (11:59pm, A.E.S.T.). Winners will be announced on our social media channels and updated on this page. Please allow 2 weeks for prize delivery directly from the supplier.

2. To enter, participants must complete all entry steps outlined above before the closing deadline.

3. This promotion is a game of skill and chance plays no part in determining the winner. Entries will be judged by the Australian Dog Lover team based on creativity, originality, and insight.

4. Entrants must be following both Australian Dog Lover and Waverley Mills social profiles at the time of judging to be eligible to win.

5. Entrants may only enter once. Prizes not claimed within 48 hours of notification will be redrawn.

6. Entry into the competition is deemed acceptance of all terms and conditions. Open to Australian residents (18+) only.

The Velcro Dog: The Behavioural Science Behind Separation-Related Behaviours

By Dr Tom Mitchell (Help My Dog & Behavet)

We’ve all met them.

The dog who follows their owner from room to room. The dog who gets up every time someone stands up. The dog who appears unable to settle unless they're touching, watching, or shadowing a person.

For many owners, this behaviour is viewed as affection, loyalty, or simply part of their dog's personality. It may be cute and make you feel like your dog really loves you. After all, many of us have dogs to be our companions.

However, for some dogs, shadowing behaviour can be an early indicator of difficulties with independence and separation. To understand why some dogs become "Velcro dogs", we first need to understand how dogs learn about the people they live with.

The Psychology of Dog Shadowing: Why Your Movement Matters

Dogs go through life asking themselves three questions:

• Am I aware?
• Is it important?
• Is it good or bad?

How they answer these questions in relation to your movement is often key to understanding separation-related behaviours.

When you stand up, walk across a room, pick up your keys, or move towards a door, your dog notices. The question is whether they believe that movement matters.

The more important your movement becomes, the more emotional significance it carries. 

If movement isn't important, dogs have little reason to care whether it's good or bad. If movement is highly important, they begin paying close attention and trying to predict what will happen next.

This is where many separation struggles begin.

The Rule Many Dogs Learn: Presence = Access

Dogs are a social species, so for them, access to us matters.

Affection, interaction, play, training, treats, social contact, and shared experiences are all valuable resources. Over time, many dogs learn a simple rule: Presence = Access.

Sending out an S.O.S...
When a closed window feels
like total isolation.

If you're home, they can access you. If you're present, exciting things might happen: play, training, food, affection, interaction, access to other people or dogs – all of the things that they value. The more consistently these things occur when you're available, the more important your presence becomes.

The problem? If presence predicts access, then absence predicts loss. Suddenly, your movements become meaningful because they may signal that access is about to disappear. 

For some dogs, this creates frustration. For others, worry. For others, panic.

The more important access becomes, the more important separation becomes.

Why Velcro Dogs Shadow Their Owners

Many owners assume shadowing is simply about attachment. Sometimes it is.

However, shadowing often develops because dogs learn that staying close is the best way to maintain access to something they value. If your dog follows you everywhere, they're continually practising engagement with you.

Every time they get up and follow, they're learning that your movement is worth monitoring. Especially if it leads to extremely good or extremely bad outcomes. Every time they successfully gain access to something of value or lose access, that behaviour is reinforced.

Over time, a dog can become increasingly invested in your whereabouts and increasingly sensitive to changes in your movement. They may start to sleep by the doorway or stay very close by to monitor any changes in your movement.

This is particularly common in dogs that experience a degree of FOMO (fear of missing out). These dogs aren't necessarily worried about being alone. They're worried about what might happen if they're not involved.

Changing the Rule: Presence Doesn’t Mean Access (PDMA)

One of the most powerful concepts when building independence is helping dogs learn a different rule: Presence Doesn’t Mean Access (PDMA).

The goal isn't to teach dogs that people disappear because this could cause heightened negative emotional responses and trauma based on the perception of losing control. 

 Instead, the goal is to teach dogs that they can be comfortable and relaxed even when access is temporarily unavailable and that there can still be value when they don’t have access to you.

This means helping dogs learn that:

✔ You can be present without being accessible.
✔ Access comes and goes.
✔ Temporary separation is normal.
✔ Not being involved isn't a problem.

When dogs genuinely understand this rule, human movement becomes less significant. Once your movement is less significant, separation becomes easier because it’s no longer a huge predictor of loss and an emotional bombshell for your Velcro dog.

Crate & Barrier Training: Building Independence Through Containment

To teach PDMA, we often need to build value for containment.

For many dogs, a closed door is an emotional trigger. Not because they’re scary, but because a closed door forces disengagement from something they believe is important. The challenge is helping dogs learn that containment is not a loss.

Containment doesn't only mean a crate. Every dog has a containment hierarchy. This may include:

• A boundary or bed
• A lead
• A baby gate
• A puppy pen
• A crate
• A separate room

We want to identify where your dog currently feels comfortable and begin there.

Is a Closed Door a Loss or a Gain?

Many dogs experience barriers as something negative. We want the opposite. We want dogs to genuinely value being in or on their containment area. That means they are happy to enter, happy to remain, not rushing out, showing no avoidance, and willing to return.

Once that value exists, we can gradually progress through different levels of PDMA:

✔ Level 1: Remaining on the same side of the barrier as your dog. You are still present and accessible, but they may be on their bed or inside containment (the door may be open first).

✔ Level 2: Moving to the other side of the barrier. You are present but inaccessible.

✔ Level 3: Removing visual access and moving briefly out of sight.

At each stage, the goal is growing calmness.

Many conventional containment training strategies use the door closing as a punisher for the dog attempting to exit. Unfortunately, this may have the unintended effect of increasing the importance of the door to the dog, making it a more negative experience.

By building value within containment and then teaching the dog that the door closing is a gain, rather than a loss or punishment, we can prevent containment and barrier frustration and create an overall positive experience with separation.

Building Value for Containment

Before containment can help us teach independence, dogs need to genuinely value being in or on their containment area. This is where many people accidentally move too quickly.

A dog who treats a crate, pen, bed, or being behind a baby gate is not necessarily a dog who values it. We want containment to become a place where good things happen and where the dog feels comfortable spending time.

A useful question to ask is: "Is my dog trying to get out, or choosing to stay in?" If a dog immediately rushes out whenever given the opportunity, struggles to return, or avoids entering altogether, we probably need to spend more time building value.

Step 1: Build Value In

Start with your chosen level of containment in your dog’s hierarchy. This might be a bed, boundary, lead, behind a baby gate, in a puppy pen, or a crate with the door open. The focus initially is simple: create lots of value in or on the containment. Food arrives there. Enrichment arrives there. Good things happen there.

Importantly, the dog is not trapped; they can leave if they choose. In fact, we often want lots of releases. The goal at this stage is not to keep the dog in place for a long time. It’s to teach the dog that there’s value in containment. Over time, there should be far more value happening in the containment than outside of it.

Step 2: The Door Becomes a Non-Event

Once value exists in the containment itself, we can begin introducing the barrier. For many dogs, the emotional trigger isn't the crate or pen. It's the moment the door closes. Rather than immediately shutting doors, we gradually teach dogs that movement of the barrier predicts nothing significant is happening.

You can break up the steps by touching the door, moving the door slightly, briefly closing it, and finally, fully closing it. At every stage, value continues to happen in the containment. We’re also releasing the dog often to help relieve pressure and to teach them that being in containment isn’t a bad deal. Just as with Step 1, we are teaching that both the door closing and time spent inside are non-events.

Step 3: Build Time, Distance and PDMA

Once the dog genuinely values the containment and remains comfortable with barriers, we can begin gradually upping the challenge by increasing duration, distance, visual access to us, and by introducing household movement and disturbances.

Throughout this process, we want to avoid creating sudden jumps in difficulty. A useful principle is that we only make one thing harder at a time. If we're increasing duration, we keep distance the same. If we're increasing distance, we keep duration the same. If we're removing visual access, we may want to reduce more than one of the other variables if we have a Velcro dog.

Two Containment Hacks for Success

• Using Employment to Bridge the Gap: Employment can be a powerful tool when building value for containment and helping dogs succeed with PDMA. 

Passive calming activities, long-lasting chews, lick mats, snuffle mats, enrichment items, or other forms of appropriate employment can help dogs remain relaxed while they learn that access to people comes and goes.

Employment should not become a permanent crutch, but it can be an effective bridge while PDMA skills are developing. Over time, we can gradually reduce the amount of employment required.

• From One Containment to Another: To help increase the time a dog is happy in containment, we can use different forms of containment on the dog’s hierarchy. 

For example, if a dog is struggling to get past 10 minutes in a crate, we can come back at nine minutes to let the dog out, but instead of releasing them to free roam, we can move them to an easier form of containment in their hierarchy, such as a puppy pen, a boundary or a lead, for another 10 minutes. This allows them to practice the same skills for a longer time period, which will later transfer back to the harder containment picture.

Calmness is King

The more we grow calmness, the more opportunities we're creating for calmness to happen.

Dogs become more of what they practise every day. If we want independent, relaxed behaviour, we need to create opportunities for dogs to rehearse independent, relaxed behaviour.

One way to do this is through the Calmness Triad:

1. Passive calming activities – stuffed Kongs or bones, lickmats, long lasting chews, sniffy activities like snuffle mats.

2. Active rest – sleeping in a safe area where they’re not disturbed and can access good quality, deep sleep.

3. The Calmness Protocol – rewarding calm when we observe it in our dogs by calmly delivering a food reward.

A dog who regularly practises calm behaviour is often better equipped to cope when access to people changes because they’ve grown the skills for calmness within their lifestyle.

Moving from Movement = Arousal to Movement = Calm

Many Velcro dogs learn that human movement predicts action. Movement means excitement, engagement, or something is about to happen. For our dogs, we want movement to predict calmness, instead.

Two rules are useful to keep in mind here:

✔ Rule 1: Every time you move and your dog doesn't get involved, your movement becomes less important. Every time you move and they do get involved, your movement becomes more important.

✔ Rule 2: Every time your movement leads to an extremely good or bad outcome, your movement becomes more important.

The goal with this strategy is to reduce significance through two main routes:

• Habituation: Provide a passive calming activity while your dog remains grounded (in containment, on lead, on their bed). Family members move around normally while the dog learns that movement doesn't require participation.

• Rewiring: Calmly reinforce your dog (while they’re in or on containment) for remaining settled while movement occurs around them. Ideally, this happens when they're already relaxed and comfortable.

Over time, movement changes from being a cue for action to a cue for calmness.

Growing Disengagement

For many Velcro dogs, independence requires one final skill: disengagement.

Dogs need to learn that moving away or staying away from something important can be valuable. This is especially important for dogs experiencing FOMO.

Growing value for containment and working on PDMA will help dogs learn that choosing not to monitor, follow, or participate can itself be rewarding. We’re growing the dog’s ability to disengage from the owner and from distractions at the same time – both skills they’ll need for successful separation.

An important part of this process and growing independence is adding disturbances. This allows dogs to learn two things: events can happen around them, but these are none of their business, and the art of resettling after being disturbed.

Working on specific disturbances while a dog is in containment is vital to success with separation. This includes adding in purposeless movement from the owner, such as getting up and sitting back down, entering and leaving a space, touching the containment or door, making door noises, and random actions that may occur in a household, such as flushing the toilet.

Targeting the predictors of leaving, like picking up keys or putting on shoes, also forms a vital component of training for independence. However, we need to introduce these at the dog’s pace, starting with the easiest predictors for the dog.

When dogs can comfortably disengage, settle independently, and tolerate temporary loss of access, they become more flexible and often far more capable of coping when separation inevitably occurs.

The Valuable Skill of Independence

For many owners, having a Velcro dog can feel flattering. They provide you with affection, loyalty, and a particularly close bond. However, a dog who struggles to cope without constant access to their people is missing an important life skill.

By helping dogs learn that access comes and goes, that barriers aren’t a problem, and that they can be comfortable and safe without being involved in everything we do, we’re giving them more freedom, flexibility, and confidence in their daily lives – all without taking away the relationship and bond that is already shared.

Growing our dogs’ independence doesn’t create a dog who wants less to do with us. We’re helping our companions feel just as comfortable with us as they do when they need to be apart from us.

Helping a Velcro dog feel comfortable spending time apart is one of the most valuable skills we can teach.

If you'd like to learn more about separation anxiety, building value for containment, and teaching independence through PDMA, visit the Help! My Dog website (www.helpmydog.com) and check out our Help! My Dog Has Separation Anxiety 10-Day Plan course.

About the Author

Dr Tom Mitchell is a world-renowned veterinarian and dog behaviourist and founder of concept training with over a decade’s worth of experience transforming canine behaviour struggles to help people (and their pets!) achieve their dog-owning dreams.

As part of his mission to “help as many dogs and owners as possible”, Tom revolutionised the practice of veterinary behaviour by establishing the trailblazing online canine behaviour clinic, Behavet, making consultations with certified veterinary behaviour professionals accessible to pet parents worldwide over Zoom. As the largest online pet behaviour clinic in the world, every month, Tom and his team of 20+ veterinarian behaviourists help over 700 dog (and cat) owners combat even the most challenging, “no hope” cases by creating transformational plans for the full spectrum of canine behaviour struggles, achieving unbelievable reward-based results where others have failed.

Dr Tom has recently founded Help! My Dog, an online community for dog owners and professionals alongside its #1 dog podcast, empowering dog parents with the knowledge they need to get to the root of their dogs’ behaviour struggles. He is also currently involved in the development of a new professional behaviour training and education initiative, The Canine Behaviour College, aimed at advancing standards in canine behaviour practice for aspiring and current professionals.

Connect on Socials

• Facebook:
  • Behavet
  • Help! My Dog Official
  • The Canine Behaviour College
• Instagram:
• @beha_vet
• @helpmydog_official
• @thecaninebehaviourcollege

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