About Me
Emma Franklin – Separation Anxiety Pro Behaviour Consultant
About Me
My journey into separation anxiety training started with my own dog, Tilly.
From the moment I brought her home as a puppy, she struggled with being left alone. At the time, I had no idea just how much this would affect both of our lives.
Because of my health, I rarely left the house other than to walk Tilly. When I did need to go out, I relied heavily on finding alternative care to make sure she wasn't left alone. For years, that was simply how we managed things.
Like so many dog guardians, I spent countless hours scrolling the internet looking for an answer. I wanted to help Tilly, but I found myself uncomfortable with much of the advice and many of the 'solutions' I came across.
Living next door to a dog who also struggled with separation anxiety made me realise just how common this problem is. It also made me increasingly aware of how difficult it can be to know what information to trust, particularly when there is so much conflicting advice online.
That's when I discovered the work of Julie Naismith and a different approach to separation anxiety training. Rather than expecting dogs to simply get used to being alone, the focus was on gradually building their confidence at a pace that ensured they were comfortable throughout the training process. This allows them to build positive experiences of being alone and, over time, change their emotional response to being left.
I started using these techniques with Tilly and, over time, watched her grow in confidence when home alone. That experience completely changed my understanding of separation anxiety and ultimately led me to train directly with Julie Naismith, qualifying as a Separation Anxiety Pro Behaviour Consultant.
Today, I help other dog guardians navigate separation anxiety using the same kind, gradual and evidence-based approach that made such a difference for Tilly and so many other dogs.
I'm passionate about looking at the whole picture, including your dog's health, their individual needs and what might be affecting their ability to be alone. But I'm also passionate about looking after the person at the other end of the lead.
Separation anxiety doesn't just affect dogs. The worry of leaving them, the constant planning, the guilt and the feeling that your life has to revolve around whether your dog can be left can take a real toll on you too.
My aim is to give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to understand your dog's behaviour, make informed decisions about their training and know how to support them as they progress. I want you to feel confident in knowing what to look for, when to progress and when your dog may need things to be made easier, while making the training process as manageable as possible for both of you.
Tilly is still a huge part of my life, and some of my favourite things to do are exploring new places with her and finding new enrichment activities for us to try together. I know how easy it is for your dog to become your entire focus when they're struggling with separation anxiety, because I've been there myself. My approach is always compassionate and non-judgemental, because I understand that you can love your dog deeply and want the very best for them, while also wanting to be able to enjoy a life that doesn't have to revolve around whether they can be left alone.
Because I've been there myself, I know how difficult it can feel when leaving your dog alone doesn't feel like an option. And I also know that things can change.
