Dog separation anxiety is a common but often misunderstood condition in which a dog experiences intense stress or panic when left alone or separated from their favorite person. It can develop due to genetics, lack of early independence training, or sudden life changes such as rehoming, moving, or major shifts in household routine.

Key Symptoms of Dog Separation Anxiety

• Following you from room to room before departures

• Whining, howling, or barking shortly after being left alone

• Destructive chewing or scratching near doors and windows

• Excessive drooling, pacing, or panting when confined

• Escape attempts that may cause injury or damage crates

Risk Factors That Increase the Likelihood of Separation Anxiety

• Puppies adopted too young or after long shelter stays

• Dogs with multiple previous homes or traumatic experiences

• High-energy breeds without adequate daily exercise or mental enrichment

• Guardians who work long hours without gradual alone-time training

Proven, Positive Solutions

• Structured desensitization and counterconditioning to build calm independence

• Daily enrichment activities—food puzzles, snuffle mats, and long-lasting chews

• Predictable routines that reduce stress around arrivals and departures

• Support from a certified trainer and, if necessary, a veterinarian to explore calming aids or medications

By understanding the symptoms, causes, and evidence-based solutions for dog separation anxiety, you can help your dog gain confidence, reduce stress-driven behaviors, and restore peace of mind each time you leave home.

Leash reactivity can make walks stressful for both you and your dog. Whether your dog reacts to other dogs, people, or fast-moving objects, the key to success is patience, consistency, and structured training. Our Leash Reactivity Intensive Program is designed to help you and your dog build confidence and remain calm during walks.

The US has an obesity problem, and it extends far from the country’s general human populace. It’s been found that the obesity rate for pet dogs in the country is 59 percent. That’s quite astonishingly high. 

Have you ever dreamed what it would be like to have your dog play a starring role in your wedding?

Including your furbaby in your big day can make the event even more special and memorable. However, without proper preparation, it can also lead to stress, unexpected distractions, or behavioral issues.

Here’s how you can ensure good behavior on your special day.

Fostering a strong bond with your new puppy is one of the best ways to turn them into a dream companion. 

Building a bond can begin from the moment you pick your pup up and bring it home, so being prepared and knowing how to make your puppy’s first experiences with you the best they can be can help you bond with them.

Here are our top 10 tips for how to build an instant bond with your new puppy starting on day one.

Does your dog jump on you as if they've got springs on their feet? Like it or not, we humans are to blame.

We not only permit this behavior, we encourage it. We know we shouldn't encourage jumping, but a fuzzy puppy is just too cute to resist.

We forget that cute behavior in a puppy can become a real nuisance when they grow up.

If your normally sweet and loving dog turns into a snarling hound from hell when you try to take something away from them, they are engaging in a behavior called “resource guarding.”

This article examines the warning signs of resource guarding in dogs, situations that provoke the behavior, and what to do about it using positive training methods.

The winter weather can be beautiful, but just as with humans, the drop in temperature can spell danger for dogs. While older pets, or those with medical conditions, are likely to be more acutely affected by the chillier weather, there are some important steps to take to keep all dogs safe, happy, and healthy during the winter.

Ready to introduce your new puppy to your current dog? Before you do, read this article to guarantee a flourishing bond between your two pups.

Keeping your dog off the furniture is easier than you think with the right training plan. In this guide, you’ll discover simple, step-by-step strategies to prevent unwanted couch surfing, gently correct your dog, and make their own bed the most inviting spot in the house.

Whether you have a new puppy or an older dog stuck in their ways, these tips will help you create clear boundaries, maintain a fur-free sofa, and enjoy a harmonious home with your canine companion.

Last week, I opened my front door and discovered a dog on my patio! Someone tossed their dog inside the front gates of my place and took off - can you believe that? Please donate to my fundraiser for his foster care while I find him another home.

After your dog bites someone, it’s natural to question if keeping them is the right choice. This quick guide breaks down the four key factors every dog guardian should consider to assess the risk of future bites. Understanding these areas can help you decide if your dog can safely remain in your home and what steps to take next.

No one wants to think about their pup biting someone, but if it happens, it’s important to know what to do since a dog owner can be held liable even if the bite failed to break the skin.

Adopting a new furry friend can be a life-changing experience, and if you are not prepared, it can quickly become overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time owning a pup. Learn our top tips for finding the right canine match for your home.

Double Doodle dogs are fast becoming America’s favorite pet, find out why …

Working from home with a dog can be a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it gives us extra time with the dogs we love, but on the other, our dogs don’t always understand work schedules and deadlines. Balancing playtime with work can be difficult, especially if your dog is used to a high level of attention and lots of play.

If you are someone who loves hiking and backpacking, there’s no doubt your four-legged companion would love to join you on this journey, too. While this can be great fun for you and your dog, it’s important to consider how to do this safely, so here are nine tips to make sure your and your furry companion remain safe on the trails.

Crackers is a foster rescue dog who, without YOUR help, is at risk of being euthanized at only one and half years old. Though she is a super sweet dog who loves to play and love up on anyone she meets, she has some behavioral issues that coupled with her size and strength have make it difficult for her to get adopted out.

There's nothing cuter than toddlers and dogs together, but of course, you will be worried about their safety. Toddlers don't know where the limits are when playing with your dog, and the dog can be pushed to their limit.

This brief history of the evolution of modern day dog training provides readers with insight into how today’s dog training methods were developed. Our goal in reprinting this article by Dr. Mary Burch is to help you, caring pet parents, understand how the different approaches in dog training were developed and to, hopefully, choose positive methods over force-based ones.