Max RandallDog Trainer. Who does more than just train.

Some need Help, not Training. Learn more via MK9Plus.com

1 Jul 2026 · 2 min

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1:57

In this YouTube dialogue, a dog owner (Speaker A) describes two cocker spaniels—Susie, a calm therapy dog, and Molly, a hyper, one‑year‑old dog that becomes frantic when left alone. The trainer (Speaker B) explains that the behavior is likely separation distress rather than clinical anxiety, meaning the dog is frustrated and needs outlets for excess energy. The trainer recommends a multi‑step approach: (1) identify whether the dog is anxious or distressed; (2) provide frequent, short, high‑energy activities such as searching and retrieving games during walks; (3) conduct multiple 15‑20‑minute training sessions daily to teach focus and impulse control; (4) gradually increase alone‑time in small increments while monitoring stress cues; (5) ensure a thorough veterinary check, including stool and urine samples, to rule out medical issues that can exacerbate distress. The owner acknowledges the value of asking targeted questions about the dog’s behavior, emphasizing that owners often misinterpret their pets. Overall, the conversation offers practical, activity‑based strategies and health screening to help hyperactive dogs cope with being left alone.

Let's do it. Susie, she's a working cocker. Yep, therapy dog, so quiet, placid. Yeah. Molly, short cocker. Yeah, turn one, totally opposite. Yeah. How'd you calm this one down? When you'll come home, she's been through spindles, rug, right, flooring, wall.
We either have separation anxiety or separation distress. Most of the time it is distress. That's not an anxious or fearful dog, that's a dog that's just a bit frustrated or a bit hyper. They get left home alone and they, they're obviously going to scream and cry about it because, because you might find that she's a little bit stressed. So like, even now she's a little bit like, let's move, let's do stuff. Like, so when we've got a dog like that and then we leave her home alone, that's the distress I'm on about. The number one thing I would do with a dog like this is I would help them with how angsty they are, how beansy they are. What you already know is probably right, like getting used to leaving the dog in small increments. Like, all that works, but it won't work with a dog that's like angsty, needing to do stuff. So we work on the dog, then you do training, and the training works. Get the dog doing searching activities and retrieving activities. And I would be doing 2, 3, 15, 20-minute sessions a day. When you're out on your walk, I would be getting that ball out, having her on lead, just chucking it in hedges, long grass, getting her searching.
We have plenty of walks, we can let her off the lead. Yeah, she'll come back with command. Yeah, we're not in that position. Too hyper. She'll be—
yeah, I'm off. You've got to think about all of these feelings the dog has inside. They need outlets somewhere. No, that's true. So what we're going to do is just work her ass off instead. That's why these are called outlets. So That would be number one. Also, always get a good vet check. Get like a poo and wee sample, just see if there's any stomach issues anywhere. Like such tiny things can make a dog angsty. Like, yeah, so we can work a dog's ass off. If they're intolerant to something they're eating, they've got a bit of an upset tummy, you won't calm that dog down ever.
It's really good to actually ask because everyone thinks they know their own dogs. Yeah. You ask the question and say, why is she like this? Yeah, yeah, yeah. So the information you give us, no, there's no problem.
But yeah, it's very rarely just training.