Mark & Deborah B. & “Elliott”
Chicago, IL

We have worked with a few trainers since we've had Elliott and we weren't seeing a lot of long-term results with trainers who were great but who were generalists. We joined the RRP because we wanted to work with someone who specializes in anxiety and has a deeper understanding of how to help anxious dogs. 

Jenna knows her specialty so well; she has a deep understanding of anxious behavior in dogs, and has such a clear passion for the science behind compassionate and skilled dog training. 

She helped us understand the nuances of our dog's body language when he was struggling and not only to get on a road to recovering from his separation anxiety, but to improving his life with us on the whole. During the RRP, we felt confident in her expertise and assessment of our dog's behavior. She's also great at the human side of dog training. She's a great coach and cheerleader who gives honest and encouraging feedback. 

I think the program has helped me -- an anxious human -- tap into empathy for my dog more than I was able to before. We were doing enrichment activities with him before starting the program, but having to track and record it made us more mindful of doing things on a regular basis, giving him variety, and things that he truly enjoyed.  

My biggest takeaway is that even though working through separation anxiety is a long game (which we knew), there are small wins to be had along the way and that those matter and represent positive change.

It was so helpful to have regular check ins, and be able to get expert eyes on recordings of our dog's behavior when he was alone. It was helpful to get insight into what was going on, what was good and what could improve, and to get concrete next steps for the following days.

We learned a lot from the program and look forward to continuing this journey with our dog.

Ed J. & “Penny”
Aventura, FL

Our 'journey' started back in November of last year when we adopted Miss Penny from the local shelter. Our kids had been bugging us about getting a dog non-stop for at least six months. My wife wasn't putting up much of a fight (she secretly wanted a dog, too). It was three against one. I could only hold out for so long. 

[When we adopted Penny,] we obviously didn't know she had separation anxiety at the time. However, the first few times we left her home alone, it became painfully obvious (watching her on the cameras in the house) that we had a problem on our hands. Watching Penny on video those first couple of times we left her alone was really hard. We could see that she was stressed and anxious, but we initially thought, "Oh, she's new here. It will pass." It didn't. 

I looked up some local trainers and talked to them over the phone. They all wanted crazy amounts of money to come over and work with Miss Penny. I kept looking. Eventually, I found one who was reasonably priced (or so I thought). When they came over, the 'plan' to 'cure' Miss Penny of her SA was to crate train her. I knew this was going to be a problem because it's not what we wanted to do as owners. I kept looking. One of the trainers I spoke to gave me 'nickel's worth of free advice' and told me to read Malena Demartini-Price's book on SA. So I did. I liked her approach, thought processes, etc. I knew I had to find someone who had a similar approach. I now knew what I wanted, and more importantly, what I didn't want, in a trainer.  

Naturally, I then turned to YouTube to see if anyone out there had some good videos about treating dogs with S/A. And that's where I stumbled upon Jenna and the RRP. After a quick search and DM in Insta, I knew we had found the right program for Miss Penny. It was clear very early on that Jenna knows what she's talking about. I, like her, research the heck out of everything. I very much appreciate her approach to SA training: no quick fixes, no easy answers, this is going to be hard, etc. That said, Jenna is always willing to help and answer any questions. I'm happy to have worked with her thus far and look forward to hopefully continuing our training at some point in the future.  

I think the RRP is a very good program, but only if you're willing and able to put in the time it demands. If you don't have the time to do the activities, the missions, the logs, watch the videos, the training calls, etc., then wait until you do. If you do have the time, and you're ready to commit, then yes, you and your pup should definitely do it. 

One of the recommendations of the program is to do your best to keep the dog from going over threshold. Well, that's really hard to do for a working family like ours because the kids go to school and we go to work. When left alone, Miss Penny went over almost instantly. Luckily, we were able to work it out with family, friends, schedule adjustments, etc. to watch her when we were out, but it has not been easy. Even now, we're still making plans around Miss Penny and making sure that she can either come along with us (which she loves) or that someone is available to watch her while we're out. It has NOT been easy. 

The calls were very informative and I liked the ability to bounce ideas off of each other. The immediate feedback was a much better way of doing this than back-and-forth, long-winded emails. 

 Even though I did leave Miss Penny alone 'accidentally' for 10 minutes one day, she handled it like a champ. I was very proud of her. Compared to where she was on day one, when I couldn't even walk out the door without her losing her mind, I'd say we've made some progress. We've learned to pick up on some of Penny's 'signs' and she has learned to pick up on some of ours as well.

Tracy D. & “Laney”
East Rochester, NY

Between losing a loved one, moving to a new house, Covid closures/working from home, and the upcoming arrival of our first baby, we were already struggling with leaving Laney home alone and we knew that another big life changing event wasn't going to help make it any easier. As a human who has her own struggles with anxiety, it made me feel like a horrible dog mom that she was feeling that way all day while we were gone. I was desperate for any kind of help and thank god found your page on Instagram!! 

I could not be more grateful to Jenna and the RRP for helping me and my sweet Laney! After spending over a year trying to ease her separation anxiety through other training classes, supplements, using Adaptil collars/diffusers, even going so far as getting medication from the vet because we thought we had no other option. Then Covid hit and spending 6+ months home with Laney basically 24/7 made things even worse. Now with the upcoming arrival of our first baby, we knew we needed help!! 

Working with Jenna in the RRP over the last 12 weeks has been life changing! Even though we know there will be some setbacks as we all adjust to life with a baby, Jenna has given me the tools and confidence to pick up where we left off and continue making progress. 

There are so many little things we can do on a daily basis to help support Laney on this journey. It doesn't require hours and hours of training or effort every day. Doing 10-15 minutes of enrichment on a regular basis has, I think, helped make the biggest difference! Not only has it improved our bond and is something we both enjoy doing together, but it has also increased her confidence (she's a little agility rockstar now!) and is helping Laney to learn different ways to regulate/comfort herself on her own. 

Talking through a mission, problem-solving together, even getting to hear how/what other dogs in the program have been doing were all super helpful for me. Having multiple opportunities each week to review progress or ask questions was a huge plus! I think [the training logs] definitely helped to identify trends in behavior and to measure increases in comfy time/overall progress. Just watching the videos was helpful too, but taking time to break them down and really look and analyze what was going on made it easier to help judge when to push/challenge Laney vs. when to back off a bit and give her more time to generalize what we were working on.

I truly believe Laney will always have her own little anxious quirks and will always to some extent need to be close by me to matter what, but she is definitely not the "Velcro Dog" she used to be. I am able to leave a room now without her following on my heels, I can take a walk around the neighborhood and she doesn't totally freak out when I get back, heck I can even go to the bathroom now without her pawing at the door! 

RRP has been such a game changer for Laney and has even helped our other pup, Chesney, work through some of his own quirks. For us, at least, RRP wasn't about learning techniques to train our dogs to be "perfect", it's about having dogs who knows their humans love them and want them to be comfortable and confident when they are alone. They definitely still have their "naughty moments" and can be attention-seeking at times, but overall they are more relaxed and comfortable day to day and that was our biggest priority!

There truly are no words to express how thankful I am to have stumbled across Jenna's page on Instagram!! If you are even considering signing up, DON'T HESITATE! It is easily the best thing you will ever do for yourself and your fur baby!

Meaghan L. & “Winston”
Alberta, CAN

I recognized in April of last year that Winston had separation anxiety. I tried looking into trainers in my area who had expertise in this and found no one, so I spent the rest of the year managing it and trying to find resources online to help him myself. 

We were doing an alright job, doing a similar method to what's in the RRP but since I hardly knew what I was doing I had so many questions that no one could answer and although we made it to 45 mins of alone time, it was shaky. And then I found you! I saw so much value in someone who specialized specifically in separation anxiety and who really put an emphasis on a dog's mental health. I liked that your approach was a journey and not a "try this and in 3 days your dog will be cured!" because we all know that doesn't work. Your views aligned with mine and that's why I decided to join RRP. 

Working with Jenna in the RRP has been a breath of fresh air. Having a dog with SA can be a very isolating experience, with feeling like you can't leave your house to having no one really understand what you're going through. Having a trainer that understands that what your dog is going through isn't a 5 minute fix, and isn't because your dog is being a "bad dog" but because it's their mental health.

Honestly, it seems so simple, but my biggest takeaway was realizing that everything can and should be broken down in smaller steps. I think it really clicked when I was struggling with Winston getting upset if someone was walking in front of him and you said try walking in front of him in small gaps and varying the distance and I just had this moment of OHHHH yup that makes so much sense, instead of just trying to get him happy with the big gap right away. It's so applicable in so many instances. 

I really have a better understanding of my dog and his body language. I feel like I have a much better understanding of both of my dogs. Approaching them in ways that works for them and in their terms, not mine. I can communicate so much better with them knowing the right moment for praise to set them up for success. This boosts their confidence and in turn boosts mine knowing I'm really listening to them.

What I really enjoyed about the coaching calls is listening in on everyone else's progress and hearing their questions as well. Maybe they were asking something I hadn't even thought about but it gave great insight. I love the sense of community feeling like I'm not the only one going through this journey. I also super loved the format. I loved that we had to record and look back to see the stuff that a) maybe you missed watching it as it was happening and b) going through it with you and you seeing stuff that maybe I had missed. Really led to a better understanding of Winston's body language. 

I also loved that you empowered us to be able to train our dogs. Instead of just showing and leaving it at that, really breaking it down and getting us to think about the next step and guiding rather than telling and that's that.

[Did you enjoy the training logs?]

Totally! It's great to have a reference to look back on and be able to re-examine behaviours or look back and see "oh yeah, we really are making progress!" I'll definitely be continuing to use the logs to track Winstons progress

[Would you recommend the RRP to friends?]

100%! The RRP is already all I talk about haha. What I would and what I already say is that I love that the RRP is specialized and that it's accessible from anywhere in the world. It's science-based and really narrows in on the longevity of the training and not a quick bandaid.  

The way Jenna teaches gives me the confidence to move forward and continue making progress in my training outside of the program. I am so thankful I found the RRP!

Luke & Laura P. & “Banjo”
Ontario, CAN

Before RRP:

• Almost every walk we went on was an incredibly stressful experience for Banjo. The sound of a car door closing, police sirens, even a WOODPECKER would make Banjo so scared. His tail would be between his legs, he'd be shaking, and would try to drag me all the way home.

• We couldn't even go downstairs and leave Banjo upstairs in his crate without him having a full blown panic attack.

• He was my shadow, as soon as I stood up or got off the couch he was up and ready to follow me to the next place instead of continuing to nap in his comfy spot.

After RRP:

• Banjo is able to enjoy his walks! The sounds that used to terrify him, barely bother him at all. If he does hear a particularly scary noise, he is able to overcome his anxiety and continue on enjoying his walk and no longer tries to pull us all the way home.

• Banjo follows are around so much less. He often chooses to stay asleep on the couch when I get up and leave the room.

• Banjo will now nap comfortably in his bed upstairs when we go downstairs. 

• He is getting more and more comfy being alone and keeping himself calm. With more training and medication he is going to do SO well. 

Through RRP, you will learn how to read and understand your anxious dog and learn the proper tools & techniques to decrease the level of stress your dog deals with on a daily basis. By learning how to decrease your dog's overall anxiety, you increase their overall wellbeing and mental health and set them up for a more successful and happier life - which not only improves your dog's quality of life, but yours as well!

There are so many guides on the basics of treating separation anxiety online, but there are so many things that are contingent on knowing YOUR specific dog. It's really hard to be able to read the body language your dog is displaying and having an experienced eye is so helpful. 

I also felt like I had a pretty good idea of what needed to be done to help Banjo...but I had so many questions needed answers to and had no idea how to start.

[After the RRP,] I am 100000x better at reading Banjo’s body language. I know what his triggers are and can react accordingly so he doesn't panic. I am also more aware of his stress levels and can manage our days so that he isn't overwhelmed.

[The coaching calls] are a crash course that really prepare you when you are continuing the recovery journey on your own. Jenna will point out things you never would have noticed on your own, and suggest activities to make sure you are covering all the bases before you push forward before your dog is ready to.

[The training logs]  are essential to the learning experience. How else would you possibly remember what happened? They are challenging, and at first it isn't clear how they will help, but they are a solid record of what happened and are concrete evidence of your progress.

We still have a ways to go, but he is constantly getting more confident & more independent. I sure do think that there is more trust between Banjo and I.

Katie & “Arlo”
Columbus, OH

 I feel that I have learned a lot about dog behavior, stress signals, and listening to Arlo. I have also tried to become more aware of enrichment activities and varying activities for him.

Jenna was a pleasure to work with! She is so personable, provided great feedback, is very encouraging, and you can tell she really cares about the clients in her program. She has taught me how to better communicate with my dog, think about his needs, and look at separation anxiety from a different lense.

The coaching calls were very helpful to get live feedback and discuss next steps. This was probably the most valuable part of the program outside of the missions.

I am hopeful that through using the program we have set the foundation to help Arlo work through his separation anxiety.

Elizabeth & “Charley”
Washington DC

The RRP Separation Anxiety program is an incredible resource for anyone struggling with their dog's separation anxiety.  The RRP provides the structure you need to feel like you are working with your dog and making progress while providing you the tools to actually do the training on your own.  

I decided to join RRP because Charley was whining every time I left the house and I felt like it was a very stressful situation for her, for my husband at home with her, and for me worrying about her.  I wanted to be able to leave the house and not worry about her. 

My relationship and communication with Charley has improved leaps and bounds.  I am so much more aware of her body language and stress signals, and able to respond accordingly. 

The coaching calls were incredibly helpful!  They were worth their weight in gold.  They were my favorite part of all of the training. Jenna isn't going to do the training for you, and your dog will not be miraculously cured if you don't put in the work.  It can be a slow journey and Jenna is there to guide you and provide encouragement every step of the way.  

The logs were incredibly helpful.  They forced me to go back and watch the videos and look for clues that I missed the first time around.  They were especially helpful in the beginning when I didn't really know what to look for on videos.

Jenna is an extremely thoughtful coach that will help guide you through a journey that can be long and painful, so it's totally worth it to embark on the journey with a true professional. I cannot recommend the RRP enough!

Melanie S. & “Winnie”
Miami, Fl

Picture this: I have a brand new, super sweet, ADORABLE, and very playful mini aussie puppy named Winnie. She is practically perfect… except for one problem… she cannot stand being alone. I prepared for the puppy biting, the stealing of all household items, and pretty much every common puppy problem you could think of. I had no idea that she would have this extreme fear and anxiety related to the idea of being alone. I incessantly researched separation anxiety and found tons of advice ranging from aromatherapy to putting on classical music. I set up cameras and watched Winnie whine & howl for hours on end, which in turn caused me to cry just watching it. In one of my late-night internet searches for some explanation for this problem I came across Jenna’s youtube channel and more specifically a video about separation anxiety. She briefly explained the training process and I remember finally feeling like I found some sort of direction. I ended up messaging her to schedule a training consult and the rest was history.

I still struggle with Winnie’s separation anxiety as it is not something that can be ‘fixed’ quickly by any means. With Jenna’s help and insight into a training plan for Winnie we have made incredible strides in her overall confidence and ability to learn that being alone doesn’t have to be so scary. You have to put in the time, the dedication, the work, and most importantly… the patience. Jenna makes it all feel possible, she makes it feel like the time and effort will be worth it. She makes you want to have a positive attitude in order to achieve a positive result. She inspires me every day to believe in myself and in the capabilities of my dog. I promise you, once Jenna becomes a part of you and your dog’s life you will not be able to imagine it any other way. From the bottom of mine and Winnie’s hearts, thank you for everything, we love you!

Ashley & “Gracie”
Weatherford, TX

When I started working with Jenna, Gracie was struggling with separation anxiety. She would get very nervous when I was leaving and would whine and howl. She also would not go outside to potty by herself and had to be in whatever room I was in. I am so happy and proud to report that she can go outside to potty and even sniff around the yard without a care in the world, while I can stay inside the house. This is a HUGE WIN! She is also comfortable being in a room other than the one I am in. She prefers to be able to see me, but it's nothing like it was. We still have some work to do on staying by herself when I leave. We were doing pretty good before the holidays, but I had a significant amount of time off, and we reverted back to some earlier behaviors. However, we now have the tools to work on the issues and continue to gain more and more confidence when I am away from her, thanks to the RRP. I know this will be a lifetime endeavor and I look forward to Gracie becoming a more confident pup. I am much more aware of Gracie's communication and how her body language informs me of how she's feeling and what she's experiencing. I know when she's feeling nervous/scared/stressed better than I did before we started the program.

[My biggest takeaway was] that separation anxiety can be treated with consistency, patience, positive reinforcement and that the progress is not linear. It's also a lifetime pursuit.

Ada & “Mako”
La Mirada, CA

My biggest takeaway from the RRP is learning when to increase my time away from my dog. My issue is that I did not do alone time training for my dog because I didn’t want him to feel any panic at all. Jenna has given me confidence to start the training and taught me when it is okay to increase time away. My favorite takeaway is learning how to play with my dog and add other forms of enrichment in his life.

Playing with my dog is such a big part of our relationship. And we play better because of your videos. Your lessons have taught me a lot about dog body language too, especially with my dog as an individual. I feel that allowing Mako to say “no” to me has improved his trust on me.

Pre-RRP and before getting my dog, my most memorable and one of my favorite videos I found from your channel is the “Why You DON’T Need to Exercise Your Dog on a Walk”. Before this video, I was in the mindset that a tired dog is a good dog. Walks are done to physically tire out dogs and if they’re feeling antsy still, you just need walk them some more or tire them out with fetch. Walks weren’t for sniffing time and the dogs should always be on a heel position. I think this video was my gateway drug to your channel. I’m mentioning this because it’s like the lightbulb moment for me how owners/guardians should listen to their dog. It really taught me more about what it means that dogs are individuals. Also before, I thought that the “dog as in an individual” just meant their individual quirks.