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What Is Separation Anxiety in Dogs?
Separation anxiety is a common issue for dogs, and many dogs suffering from it develop behavior problems, such as destructive behavior or incessant whining and barking when you leave home. There is hope for improvement, though. With help, your anxious dog can learn how to handle being left alone for short periods of time.
Our separation anxiety training for dogs can help pet owners teach their dogs to be more self-confident and secure. Professional dog trainers at The Dog Wizard will provide you with in-depth knowledge and tools for treating separation anxiety in dogs.
Why Dogs Develop Separation Anxiety
As pack animals, some dogs feel nervous or upset when a member of their pack goes missing and may have trouble trusting that their owner will return. Some reasons a dog might develop dog separation anxiety include:
- Frequently being left alone for long periods of time
- Being taken from the mother too young (removed earlier than about 7 weeks old)
- Maternal dog death that causes the puppies to be raised by humans without a mother dog around
- Experiencing abrupt schedule changes or frequent unstable living conditions, such as being at a shelter or being repeatedly rehomed
- Excessive handling as a puppy that prevents the dog from learning independence
- Suffering from a traumatic event, such as the death of an owner, a family member or another pet in the household
- Going from a neglectful situation to a loving owner who showers the dog with attention
Rescue dogs especially may be prone to canine separation anxiety and this requires a specialized training plan that addresses the particular behavior issues of each individual dog. It’s worth remembering that it’s often not a behavior issue but rather a coping issue that needs to be addressed.
How Our Dog Separation Anxiety Training Works
Your local dog trainer for separation anxiety will begin with a free evaluation. Here, they’ll review your dog’s history, daily routine, current coping time when alone, and the severity of the signs and symptoms. From here, your trainer will recommend a variety of options, including Private Lessons or Day Training for most separation anxiety cases, Board & Train (where appropriate) especially when structure is hard to create at home, or integration with our Problem-Solving or other programs for complex cases. These options are perfect for building confidence and independence.
Drop Off & Personalized Plan
WHAT HAPPENS
Your dog meets their professional trainer who assesses their needs and tailors a program for them.
WHY IT MATTERS
Ensures training matches your dog’s behavior and your household goals.
Immersive Daily Training
WHAT HAPPENS
Dogs participate in structured sessions each day, learning commands, manners, and socialization.
WHY IT MATTERS
Builds consistent habits in a focused, expert-led environment.
Graduation & Owner Guidance
WHAT HAPPENS
Trainers share progress, provide instructions, and return your dog ready for home life.
WHY IT MATTERS
Helps you maintain results and enjoy a well-behaved companion.
Challenges We Help With (The Signs)
It can be difficult to distinguish separation anxiety from boredom or attention-seeking. True anxiety causes real stress. If you aren’t sure whether your dog is experiencing separation anxiety, here are the common signs we look for.
Why It Matters: Rescue Dogs, Adult Dogs, and Severe Cases
If you are the owner of a rescue or an older dog, it’s not too late. The local separation anxiety dog trainer near you will create a broader behavior plan based on the seriousness and severity of the separation anxiety.
Rescue dogs and older dogs often struggle with separation anxiety after rehoming, shelter stays, schedule changes, or bereavement. It’s not uncommon for many rescues to “latch on” hard once they finally trust someone, which can make alone time extra hard. However, separation anxiety in rescue dogs and seniors can still improve with structured training and a predictable routine.
Severe separation anxiety in dogs can lead to self-injury (bloody paws/mouths from escaping) and can escalate into aggression or reactivity at doors, barriers, or crates. In these situations, our trainers may recommend starting with a broader behavior program, not just standard separation anxiety training. Examples of such programs include The Dog Wizard’s Aggression Rehab, Problem-Solving, or Rescue Rehab as next steps.
Training Tools and Techniques for Separation Anxiety
It is very possible for dogs with separation anxiety to overcome their issues and gain confidence. Because these behavior problems are caused by fear, the key to solving them is to address the underlying nervousness. Behavior modification can only happen once your dog feels comfortable about being left alone.
Our tailored training programs build confidence and reinforce the bond between you and your pet. They also help them overcome fears and learn how to cope with everyday stress.
At The Dog Wizard, we use a balanced approach with positive reinforcement to help your dog. We also deal with desensitization and counterconditioning for optimal results.
With our group training sessions, your dog gets one-on-one time with you and also helps improve socialization. Being around other dogs lets them see how good dogs behave. Private lessons offer more personalized training. The right class for you depends on how severe your dog’s separation anxiety is and the specific behavior issues your dog exhibits.
Why Choose The Dog Wizard’s Separation Anxiety Training for Dogs?
Our experts know that each dog is unique. With a tailored plan, they can help with different symptoms of dog separation anxiety to boost confidence and feelings of safety. Here’s why you should choose us:
We don’t just use food/bribes
We fix your pet’s state of mind.
Free evaluation
Come in or talk to us for a free evaluation and the right method for your dog.
Lifetime support
Anxiety can flare up. We are here for the long haul.
Local experts
Find a trainer near you with the perfect training plan for your pet.
Related Behavior Services
Some dogs only need separation anxiety training, while others have overlapping issues (general anxiety, aggression, reactivity, poor socialization). After your free evaluation, your local Dog Wizard trainer may recommend combining this program with:
We guide young pups through crate training, house manners, and early socialization.
From chewing to leash pulling, we teach better choices through calm, consistent training.
Not sure which applies? Explore all the behavior issues we help with 
Real Success Stories From Problem-Solving Clients
What does life after separation anxiety training look like?
At The Dog Wizard, we equip you with every skill and tool you need for your dog to thrive. This may require making some adjustments at home, whether to your habits or routine. Some things you can do at home to help your new dog feel more comfortable alone include:
- Leaving a piece of clothing or blanket that smells like you with your dog when you have to leave home
- Ignoring your dog for a few minutes when you first get home before transitioning into calm petting to emphasize that leaving and coming back is a normal occurrence, not a cause for overexcitement
- Maintaining a consistent schedule so your dog knows when you’ll return and can trust that you’ll be back at the same time each day
- Providing a safe, enjoyable place for your dog to stay while you’re gone, such as a room with a dog bed and some toys
- Leaving your dog with a friend or having someone check in on your dog if you’re gone for long periods of time each day to reduce time spent alone
Which Training Program Is Right for Your Dog?
Whether you’re interested in puppy training or our adult dog training programs, our certified trainers can help with a range of challenges and behaviors. With advanced training, your dog will learn basic obedience and leash manners for a healthy and happy relationship based on good manners. Wondering which of our obedience training programs is right for you? Take a look at the different options we offer below.
Our puppy obedience training program is ideal for young pups aged 10 weeks and over. Their young and impressionable minds learn quickly and starting early with the right approach is the best solution as they grow and mature into adults. With us, your pup will learn a variety of skills and new behaviors, including leash training, crate training, and socialization.
Choosing our board and train dog training program is ideal for dogs of all sizes, breeds, and ages. This program allows you to send our dog to a training facility or our trainers’ homes for seven, 14, or 21 days where they learn basic obedience commands and undergo dog socialization for good manners and healthy behaviors.
Finding time to train your dog can be difficult. If you’re too busy during the day, you might benefit from The Dog Wizard Day Training program. Throughout the day, your pet will work with a trainer to improve behavior. Between day schools, you’ll enjoy a private lesson in the comfort of your own home. Depending on your and your dog’s needs, you may choose between 6-day and 15-day programs.
Our balanced dog training can also be accomplished in a group environment where distractions and social interactions thrive. This is the perfect opportunity to help your dog learn new skills and good behaviors, together with other dogs, to ensure they thrive in group settings and learn sound manners despite distractions.
Looking for one-on-one lessons with tailored plans and individualized attention? Our private dog training lessons are the perfect way to get the desired results. From young private puppy training to adult dogs, we’ve got you fully covered. With an individual approach, your canine friend will get the full attention of their trainer and benefit from all aspects of training, including off-leash control.
Need a more unique approach to your dog’s advanced dog training? Let us help. We can help with agility mastery for dogs of all sizes. We also offer scent training, therapy prep, and baby prep. Every aspect to help your furry companion thrive in any environment. Go beyond off-leash control, distraction-proofing, and more with our team of experts.
Communication, crate and potty training, scent work and agility. These are just a few of the AKC training aspects we can help with. Regardless of whether you have a pup, a rescue, or an adult dog, we’re here to ensure your canine companion thrives in any environment with good manners and excellent behavior based on proven and advanced training techniques, accompanied by progress reports.
At The Dog Wizard, we don’t believe in a once-off training program. Instead, we offer lifetime support to dog owners who’d like to enhance their companions’ skills and keep them fresh. We also help you and those in your household learn effective communication with your furry friends, so that everyone can contribute to the success of a healthy and happy relationship.
Let Us Guide You
Need a more unique approach to your dog’s advanced dog training? Let us help. We can help with agility mastery for dogs of all sizes. We also offer scent training, therapy prep, and baby prep. Every aspect to help your furry companion thrive in any environment. Go beyond off-leash control, distraction-proofing, and more with our team of experts.
