Why Board and Train Programs Are Ineffective for Separation Anxiety in Dogs

[Updated January 2025]

If your dog struggles with separation anxiety, you might be considering a Board and Train program as a potential solution. These programs, where dogs stay with a professional trainer for several weeks, often promise intensive training and significant behavioral improvements. However, when it comes to separation anxiety, they usually fall short—and can even make the problem worse. Here’s why Board and Train programs aren’t the right solution for dogs with separation anxiety.

1. The Root Cause Remains Unaddressed

Separation anxiety is rooted in a dog’s fear of being alone or apart from their owner. Sending your dog away to a training facility doesn’t teach them to feel safe when left alone; instead, it removes them from their familiar environment and trusted human. This sudden change can actually heighten their anxiety, making them even more fearful and insecure when they return home.

2. Training in a New Environment Doesn’t Translate to Home

Dogs learn best when training occurs in the context of their daily routine and environment. In a Board and Train program, your dog may seem to improve, but that progress likely won’t carry over once they return home. Since dogs struggle with generalization, any newfound confidence in a trainer’s facility won’t necessarily help them cope with being alone in your house.

3. Owner Involvement is Essential for Separation Anxiety

Managing separation anxiety isn’t just about training the dog—it also involves adjusting the owner’s behavior and daily routines. Most Board and Train programs limit owner participation, leaving you unprepared to maintain or reinforce any training progress. Without your involvement, long-term success is unlikely.

4. Risk of Aversive Training Methods

Many Board and Train programs rely on “balanced” training methods, which often include punishment-based techniques. This can be especially harmful to dogs with separation anxiety. Behaviors like barking, pacing, or accidents are not acts of defiance but signs of extreme distress. Punishing these natural responses doesn’t alleviate anxiety; it simply suppresses outward signs of fear, potentially causing deeper emotional damage.

5. Separation Anxiety Can’t Be Fixed in a Few Weeks

Separation anxiety is a complex behavioral issue that requires gradual, patient training over time. No quick-fix program can truly resolve it in just a few weeks. While your dog might appear “cured” upon returning home, it’s often because they’ve shut down emotionally—only for their anxiety to resurface, most likely even worse than before.

The Right Way to Address Separation Anxiety

The most effective way to help a dog with separation anxiety is through gradual desensitization training, keeping them below their stress threshold. This evidence-based approach takes time but provides lasting results. While Board and Train programs may work well for basic obedience, they are rarely the right choice for separation anxiety. Instead, seek guidance from a professional who specializes in this condition to ensure the best outcome for your dog.