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Separation Anxiety Training in Santa Monica, CA

GDBy the GetDogSchool team·Updated 2026·Expert-reviewed

Separation Anxiety Training in Santa Monica

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Separation anxiety is more than a dog that misses its owner. Dogs with true separation distress bark, howl, pace, chew doors or have accidents when left alone, and on the Westside that often means complaints from neighbors in shared buildings.

Eight of the trainers listed on this hub, in Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, Culver City, Playa del Rey, Westchester and West Hollywood, name separation anxiety in their own services. This guide explains what separation anxiety is, how local trainers treat it, what the process asks of owners, and how to choose help. Those trainers are listed below the guide.

Recognizing separation anxiety

Common signs include barking or howling that starts soon after you leave, scratching at doors or windows, drooling, pacing, escape attempts and accidents in a house-trained dog. Many dogs start showing stress while the owner gets ready to go. A video of the first half hour after you leave is one of the most useful things you can show a trainer.

Some behaviors that look similar have other causes, such as boredom, incomplete house training or noise sensitivity. Ask your veterinarian to rule out medical problems, and ask whether medication might help alongside training.

How it is treated

Most treatment plans are built on gradual departures: the dog practices being alone for periods short enough that it stays calm, and the time increases slowly. Plans also work on the cues that tell the dog you are leaving, a calm routine before and after absences, and enough exercise and enrichment. Because the dog cannot practice well if it is regularly left for longer than it can cope with, owners often arrange daycare, sitters or company during the training period.

Plans usually begin with very short absences, sometimes only stepping out of the door and coming straight back, and they are adjusted almost daily depending on how the dog responds. The dog sets the pace. Owners also learn to make leaving and returning low-key, to separate everyday cues such as picking up keys from actually leaving, and to give the dog something calming to do while alone. Some trainers use a camera so they can watch the dog live during practice sessions.

Local options

  • A Culver City trainer who specializes in separation anxiety, with in-person and remote programs.
  • A long-running Marina del Rey behavior practice with programs for separation anxiety alongside its in-home obedience and puppy training, and a Marina del Rey trainer who lists separation anxiety with puppy work, reactivity and off-leash skills.
  • Two Santa Monica behavior-focused trainers: a specialist for aggressive, reactive and anxious dogs that also offers virtual sessions, and a dog coach whose programs cover fear, reactivity and separation anxiety.
  • A positive-first academy in West Hollywood that includes separation anxiety among its in-home and class programs.
  • A Westchester trainer and a Playa del Rey trainer who both list behavior work for anxiety among their private services.

What the process asks of you

Separation anxiety training is mostly done by the owner, with the trainer designing the plan and adjusting it. Expect short daily exercises, often recorded on video so the trainer can see how the dog copes, and regular check-ins. Progress can feel slow at first and then speed up. Consistency matters more than the length of any one session.

Life in an apartment or condo adds a practical layer. Neighbors may hear barking long before an owner knows there is a problem, so it can help to explain the plan to them and give them a way to contact you. Leaving a radio or a white noise machine on, choosing a quieter room for the dog and timing practice for hours when the building is calm can all make the early stages easier.

Choosing a trainer

  • Do you work on separation anxiety in person, remotely or both?
  • How do you measure progress and decide when to increase alone time?
  • How often will we check in, and how?
  • What should I do about absences I cannot avoid during training?
  • Do you work with veterinarians if medication is needed?

Write the answers down and compare two or three trainers before you decide, since the right fit depends on your dog, your schedule and how much practice you can do at home.

Realistic expectations

Mild cases can improve within weeks; more severe cases can take months. The goal is a dog that can be left for the length of time your life requires without distress, built up gradually. Crating a panicking dog or punishing it after the fact usually makes things worse. A good plan reduces stress for both the dog and the owner while the alone time grows.

Puppies can be taught to be comfortable alone from the start, which is far easier than treating distress later. Short, pleasant periods in a safe space with something to chew, starting in the first days at home, help a young dog learn that being alone is normal. Ask a puppy trainer to build this into the first sessions.

Reviewed Separation Anxiety Training Trainers in Santa Monica

These reviewed Santa Monica-area trainers from our directory handle separation anxiety training. Each links to a full profile with specialties, certified credentials, reviews, and contact info:

See all Santa Monica separation anxiety training trainers →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is separation anxiety the same as boredom?

No. A bored dog may chew or bark at any time, while a dog with separation anxiety shows distress specifically when alone. A video of the dog after you leave helps a trainer tell the difference. Record at least the first twenty to thirty minutes, since that is when most dogs with separation distress show the clearest signs.

Can separation anxiety be treated remotely?

Often, yes. Because the work happens when the owner is away, many programs use video and remote check-ins. Some local trainers offer remote programs alongside in-person sessions.

Will getting a second dog help?

Sometimes, but often not. Many dogs with separation anxiety are attached to their people rather than to company in general. Talk to a trainer before adding a dog to solve the problem.

How long does separation anxiety training take?

It depends on the severity. Some dogs improve within a few weeks, others need several months of gradual work. Ask the trainer how they will track progress so you can see change along the way.

Should my dog go to daycare during training?

Many trainers recommend avoiding long absences the dog cannot handle while the plan is under way. Daycare, a sitter or a friend can cover the gap so the dog does not keep rehearsing panic when left alone.

Related: read our complete separation anxiety training guide or the full Santa Monica dog training overview.

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