Walk out the door. Come home to a chill dog.

Barking, howling, chewing, and door scratching when left alone can be signs of separation-related distress. ChillDog helps you observe patterns, log reactions, and build a gradual training plan. A veterinarian or qualified behavior professional can help rule out medical or other behavioral causes.

ChillDog uses gradual desensitization. Your dog practices short absences within their comfort zone, and difficulty increases in small steps based on the reactions you log.

You run short practice departures and log how your dog reacts. The AI uses those reactions to suggest whether the next step should be harder, repeated, or easier, with the goal of keeping training within your dog's comfort zone.

No. ChillDog provides educational guidance based on gradual desensitization principles, but it does not replace individualized care from a qualified trainer, veterinary behaviorist, or veterinarian. Seek professional help if your dog risks self-injury, refuses food or water, shows aggression, or has other signs of severe distress.

Yes, that's a common starting point. The plan doesn't begin with you walking out: early exercises stay below your dog's anxiety threshold — approaching the door, touching the handle, opening it — and progress only when your dog stays calm.

Your phone and any camera that lets you watch your dog from behind the door — an old phone on a shelf works fine. Sessions happen at your front door and take about 15–30 minutes a day.

Training can take weeks or months. The timeline depends on your dog's needs, reactions, environment, and training consistency. ChillDog does not promise a specific outcome or date: it helps you track reactions and adjust the pace over time.

Try to avoid absences longer than your dog can currently handle, as they may make training more difficult. When you can't avoid one, the app helps you plan around it with sitters, daycare, or a safe-absence checklist.