How PawCalm Works
A simple, science-backed approach to helping your dog overcome separation anxiety
Important: Not Professional Advice
PawCalm provides AI-generated suggestions for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for professional veterinary care or certified animal behaviorist consultation.
Read full disclaimer →💡 The Science
Dogs with separation anxiety often react to departure cues — the things you do before leaving, like picking up keys, putting on shoes, or touching the door handle.
By practicing these cues without actually leaving, your dog learns they don't always mean goodbye. This is called desensitization, and it's the gold standard in treating separation anxiety.
Add your dog
Just enter your dog's name to get started. We'll create a personalized set of departure cues based on the most common anxiety triggers — keys, shoes, door, jacket, and more.
Practice cues daily
Each day, spend 5 minutes practicing 3-5 cues. Pick up your keys and put them down. Touch the door handle. Put on your shoes — then sit back down. Log whether your dog stayed calm, noticed, or got anxious.
Chat with your AI coach
Your personal coach knows your dog's entire history — every practice, every reaction, every pattern. Ask questions, report struggles, celebrate wins. Get specific, actionable guidance tailored to your dog.
Your journey
Level 1: Departure Cues
Practice cues without leaving. Master 5+ calm responses on each cue.
Level 2: Absence Training
Start with 30-second departures. Gradually increase to minutes, then hours.
What you get
AI Coach
A personal trainer who knows your dog's history and gives specific advice
Progress tracking
See calm rates improve, track streaks, and celebrate mastered cues
Just 5 minutes
Short, consistent practice beats long, sporadic sessions
Adaptive goals
Daily goals adjust based on your streak and consistency
Science-backed
Based on proven desensitization and counter-conditioning techniques
Multi-dog support
Track progress for multiple dogs, each with their own cues
📅 What to expect
Setbacks are normal — your AI coach will help you work through them.
Why I built this
I'm a dog lover and software developer who saw a massive gap in accessible separation anxiety training. While I haven't personally experienced this with my own dogs, I've watched friends struggle to find affordable help for what I learned is one of the most common behavioral issues affecting millions of dogs.
I researched the science behind separation anxiety treatment and discovered that the departure cue desensitization method — developed and proven by certified veterinary behaviorists and trainers — works incredibly well when done consistently. The problem? It requires daily tracking, personalized guidance, and staying motivated through setbacks.
PawCalm doesn't replace professional trainers or veterinary behaviorists. Instead, it makes their proven methods accessible to everyone by providing structure, progress tracking, and AI-powered guidance to help you stay consistent. Think of it as a companion tool that helps you implement expert protocols between training sessions.
I'm not a certified trainer, veterinarian, or animal behaviorist, and I don't claim to be. I'm someone who believes every dog deserves to feel calm, and every owner deserves access to science-backed methods that work. Please see our disclaimer for important information about PawCalm's limitations.
Ready to help your dog?
Start practicing in under 2 minutes
Start Free →Free during beta • No credit card required