What Are Warm-Ups in Separation Anxiety Training (And Why Your Dog Needs Them)
When it comes to helping a dog overcome separation anxiety, warm-ups play a vital role in building confidence and setting up successful training sessions. Warm-ups are a series of short, easy repetitions completed before working on your target duration. Think of them as a way to “warm up” your dog’s confidence before tackling the longer, more challenging separation at the end of the session.
Warm-ups don’t just ease your dog into the training, they also allow you to carry out lots of short, positive departures. And since the goal of separation anxiety training is to change your dog’s emotional response to being alone, these small, positive experiences are incredibly powerful.
Why Warm-Ups Are So Important
Warm-ups give your dog a chance to experience several positive, low-stress separations early in the session. This helps your dog feel relaxed and successful right from the start. It also allows you to gauge how they’re feeling that day.
If your dog is calm and settled during the warm-ups, you’re likely in a good position to move on to your target duration. If they seem more anxious or alert than usual, it may be best to shorten the session or stop early. By listening to what your dog is telling you, you can prevent setbacks and keep their progress on track.
How Long Should Warm-Ups Be?
The length of each warm-up depends on your dog’s stage of training and comfort level. For some dogs, it may be as simple as opening and closing the door without stepping out. For others, it might involve brief departures lasting less than 60 seconds.
The number of warm-ups you include also varies. As your dog becomes more confident, you can gradually reduce how many you do before the final, longer separation.
Here’s an example of what a training session might look like:
Warm-Up 1: 10-second departure
Warm-Up 2: 45-second departure
Warm-Up 3: 30-second departure
Warm-Up 4: 20-second departure
Target Duration: 5 minutes
What Should Your Dog Be Doing During Warm-Ups?
During warm-ups, your dog should appear settled and relaxed, showing no signs of anxiety. Ideally, the process should look and feel boring, for both you and your dog! Boring means calm, predictable, and free from stress.
If your dog shows signs of distress, such as pacing, whining, or watching the door closely, it’s a sign that the duration may be too difficult or they haven’t had enough time to relax between repetitions.
What Should You Do Between Warm-Ups?
Between each warm-up, return to a base point, a place where you and your dog can relax before starting the next repetition. This could be the sofa, your dining table, or even pottering around in the kitchen. The best base depends on your home layout and where your dog is settled during training.
If your dog is resting in the living room, for example, your base point might be the sofa. The key is to act naturally and calmly. If you’re tense or constantly on edge, your dog will pick up on it and become more alert.
The time between each warm-up varies but is typically 30–90 seconds. Some dogs may need longer to settle, always wait until your dog is completely relaxed before moving on to the next repetition.
Using Warm-Ups to Guide Your Training
Your dog’s response during warm-ups is one of the best indicators of how they’ll handle training that day. A dog who’s calm and confident is ready for progress. A dog who’s restless or unsettled might need a shorter session or more recovery time.
If you notice that your dog becomes anxious as you move through the warm-ups, there are a few possibilities:
The steps may be too challenging for your dog’s current stage.
You might not be allowing enough relaxation time between repetitions.
Your dog might benefit from fewer warm-ups before the target duration.
This is where working with a qualified separation anxiety specialist can make all the difference. A specialist can help you spot subtle signs of anxiety, adjust your plan in real time, and ensure you’re progressing at the right pace for your dog. Sometimes, that second set of eyes is priceless in noticing the small details you might miss in the moment.
Final Thoughts
Warm-ups are far more than just a training routine, they’re an essential confidence-building tool in separation anxiety training. They help your dog feel safe, successful, and prepared for longer durations alone. By taking the time to warm up properly, you’re setting your dog up for calmer, more consistent progress.
Remember: the goal isn’t speed, it’s confidence. And every calm, relaxed warm-up brings your dog one step closer to feeling comfortable on their own.
