
28/08/2025
Louie and the Door That Felt Too Big
When Louieâs family first got in touch, they told me theyâd been leaving him upstairs when they went out â hoping it might help him feel safer. But even then, absences were still hard for him.
Before our first session, I suggested bringing Louie downstairs so he could see the door and understand more about what was happening. That small change helped us watch his reactions more clearly and discover where his journey really needed to begin.
It turned out Louieâs worry didnât start when the door closed â it started much earlier, the moment someone walked towards it.
So we began with the âdoor is a boreâ protocol: gentle, easy steps around the door, always at Louieâs pace. As his confidence grew, we built up the challenge little by little.
Over the next eight weeks, Louie learned to stay relaxed and confident at each step, building on his success one stage at a time. His family told me, âWe never thought Louie could be this calm. The progress is incredible.â
Heâs not ready for long absences yet â and thatâs okay. Now his family has the tools, the plan, and the hope to keep going.
If your dog struggles with being left alone, youâre not alone. Thereâs a kind, science-based way forward â one step at a time.
Learn more about my separation anxiety training: https://www.beingdog.co.uk/separation-anxiety-training
[Representative image]