Struggling with ‘Door is a Bore’? Here’s Why You Might Be Stuck
‘Door is a Bore’ is a powerful first step in helping dogs overcome separation anxiety, but progress can stall if key foundations aren’t in place. From starting at the wrong level to moving too fast or overlooking subtle stress signals, there are common pitfalls that can hold your dog back. In this post, I share five reasons your training might not be working, and how to get it back on track.

Many dog owners are told to ignore their dog’s distress and “let them cry it out” when dealing with separation anxiety. But science shows this approach can lead to emotional harm, not healing. Dogs with separation anxiety experience real panic, and when they stop barking, it may be a sign they’ve given up, not calmed down. This blog explores the risks of leaving dogs to cry it out, the concept of learned helplessness, and outlines a kinder, evidence-based approach to help your dog feel safe when home alone.

If your dog struggles with separation anxiety, one of the most important steps in their recovery is suspending all absences outside of training. While it may feel counterintuitive, avoiding alone-time completely—at least for now—creates the emotional safety your dog needs to learn. In this post, we explore why suspending absences is so crucial, how to make it work in real life, and the unexpected benefits many dog guardians notice along the way.