Learn from the Success Stories!
A New Perspective and Solution to Separation-related Behaviors

One of the most common behavioral challenges when living with dogs is separation-related behaviors, or separation anxiety. Separation-related behavior is a term used for undesirable behaviors that dogs may engage in when their human or other attachment figure is absent.

For example, when a dog is left alone or is away from people, a dog may bark excessively, drool excessively, defecate/urinate, or chew and destroy objects or furniture to the point of hurting themselves. These behaviors are stressful for the dog and can be very problematic for the family. These behaviors can result in the dog being surrendered to an animal shelter. In the worst case, the dog can be euthanized (Flannigan & Dogman, 2001; DeMartini-Price, 2020). Studies have shown that approximately 22.3% to 55% of dogs experience these problems (de Assis L.S. et al., 2020).

Is there a way to help dogs and their families who experience separation-related behaviors live comfortably?

Meet our dogs, Chuu and Remy, both rescued from animal shelters! We welcomed Chuu into our family in 2020 and Remy in 2024. When we left home, they engaged in very worrisome separation-related behaviors.

For Chuu, he would bark continuously for a long time, and sometimes he would chew on our shoes, electrical cords, and our personal items to the point of bleeding. He would also aggress towards Peepers, our senior dog, and chase him into corners of the room or under the coffee table until we returned home.

For Remy, he would jump and bark at the door, climb on top of the table and kitchen counter, and break things. In the kitchen, he would get into dangerous objects like knives, forks, and other objects. These behaviors continued every time we left the house and until we returned home.

What can we do so that the dogs are relaxed when home alone and the family feels safe to go out?

Let's learn together to find solutions to separation-related behaviors!

Webinar Description

In this webinar, we will present two case studies with Chuu and Remy. Through the case studies, we will share a behavior analytic view* of understanding the separation-related behaviors, a potential reason why this behavior can get worse, and a new solution to help dogs experiencing separation-related behaviors.

Through the guided videos and graphs, we will explain our training process with Chuu and Remy to illustrate how their behaviors improved in a step-by-step fashion. We will also show how Constructional Affection* was very helpful for Chuu and Remy’s separation-related behaviors.

We hope this webinar will provide a discovery and tips for training and living with dogs struggling with separation-related behaviors!

*What is Behavior Analysis?

The science of behavior. Using a scientific method to understand behavior by studying the relationship between behavior and the environment, asking questions such as “Why do we do certain behavior?” “Why does the behavior repeat?”

*What is Constructional Affection?

Constructional Affection is a training technique that uses affection in the form of petting and gentle stroking to build desirable behaviors and interaction between dogs and humans. It is developed by Dr. Sean Will, his colleague, Chase Owens, and Dr. Jesús Rosales-Ruiz.

Through the webinar, you will learn:

A new way to understand and interpret separation-related behaviors through a behavior analytic lens
A new way to establish relaxed home-alone behaviors through Constructional Affection
Chuu and Remy’s success stories – A true transformation from jumping, barking, and destructive behaviors into lying down, relaxed, home-alone behaviors
- Through videos and graphs, you will learn true behavioral transformation from jumping, barking, and destructive behaviors into lying down, relaxed, home-alone behaviors

Before

After

In the webinar, we will focus on the training process from before to after, and you will see the behavioral transformation of Chuu and Remy's behaviors.

◼️ Webinar Date

September 9th, Tuesday, from 5:00pm to 8:10pm Eastern Time

(3 hours and 10 minutes)

Webinar timetable:

(Attendees can enter the zoom meeting from 4:50pm Eastern Time)

*Scheduled time may change during the webinar.

First lecture: 75 min
Break: 5 min
Second lecture: 75 min
Break: 5 min
Q&A: 30 min

◼️ Instructors

Sean Will, Ph.D.

Maasa Nishimuta, MS, BCBA

About the Instructors

Testimonials

The content of the webinar was easy to understand. Especially, the graphs allowed me to visually understand how the criteria/training steps were raised and lowered based on the dog’s behaviors. I thought that if I could explain the training process to my client in this way, they might understand it easily.

I learned that the progress will be made through a very detailed step-by-step process. And I learned a lot from watching the actual training video.

Sean's explanation and demonstration of the extinction burst (car engine) is so good, and I laugh every time I listen. And it is easy to understand.

Being able to see the actual case studies and learn how to read the graphs allowed me to see the behavior improvements and encouraged me to incorporate into my practice!

I felt that the concept of the Constructional Approach itself is very important when living with animals.

When the attendee asked questions about punishment, positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement, Sean and Maasa used familiar and relatable examples to explain them, so it was very easy to understand.

I learned that the foundational behaviors to success in separation-related behaviors lie in constructional lifestyle with our animals and the desirable interaction between dogs and humans (dogs knowing how to ask for our affection and also how we provide affection) through Interaction Guidelines.

Learning about the different training programs tailored to Chuu and Remy made the program I was imaging more concrete and clear. I was reminded that detailed steps were necessary for the success.

Registration

■ Webinar pricing

Early Bird pricing (Until August 8th at 11:59pm Eastern Time)

Non-member: $50
CAAWT Premium Member: $25
CAAWT Basic Member: $40

Regular pricing (Until September 8th at 11:59pm Eastern Time)

Non-member: $65
CAAWT Premium Member: $32.5
CAAWT Basic Member: $52

*PayPal transaction fee will be added to the webinar price

Click HERE for more information about CAAWT Membership

Registration deadline: September 8th at 11:59pm Eastern Time

Capacity: 50 people

■ Who is this webinar for?

The webinar will focus on the successful stories of Chuu and Remy experiencing separation-related behaviors. Along with their stories, we will highlight important concepts and principles from behavior analysis and the training technique of Constructional Affection. Although you are not familiar with behavior analysis or Constructional Affection, we will use examples, guided videos, and graphs so that you can understand these concepts.

This webinar is open to anyone struggling with separation-related behavior and interested in learning a new way of understanding and finding a solution!

We welcome families living with dogs, dog trainers, veterinarians/nurses, groomers/trimmers, animal shelters and rescues staff/volunteers, and students interested in behavior analysis and dog training!

■ What is included in the registration?

Attend the webinar live
Webinar lecture slides
Webinar recordings
- Attendees will receive the webinar recording within 48 hours
- The recording will be available until November 10th

◼️ CEU

You can earn CEU from these organizations: KPA(3 CEU), IAABC(3 CEU), CCPDT(3 CEU), and BCBA (3 CEU).

◼️ Place

The webinar will be held on Zoom meeting. You can attend the webinar from anywhere as long as you have a secure internet.

◼️ Registration

① Click the registration button below to fill out the registration form.

② After we check your registration form, we will send you a PayPal invoice. Please make a payment within a week. You will receive an invoice from an email address: caawtcontact@gmail.com

③ After we confirm your payment, we will send you the confirmation email.

④ On September 6th, we will email you all the information you need to join the webinar!

◼️ All the profit from the webinar will fund the behavior support and training we offer to shelter dogs ♡

CAAWT is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to remove financial barriers to behavior support and training for individuals and organizations who need training but cannot afford it. As you learn with us, you are helping shelter dogs! We thank you for your support.

◼️ Cancellation Policy

If you wish to cancel, please contact us at caawtcontact@gmail.com

Cancellations after the payment will incur a cancellation fee:

30% cancellation fee will be charged until August 8th
50% cancellation fee will be charged until September 2nd
80% cancellation fee will be charged until September 4th
100% cancellation fee will be charged until September 6th

◼️ Contact us

If you have any questions about the webinar, feel free to email us.

We are looking forward to meeting you at the webinar!

Learn from the Success Stories! A New Perspective and Solution to Separation-related Behaviors