What is Separation Anxiety?

Separation anxiety in dogs is a behavioural condition where a dog experiences intense distress or panic when left alone or separated from their owner or primary attachment figure.

Separation anxiety goes beyond mild discontent.  It’s a condition that can result in destructive behaviours, emotional stress, and even physical harm to the dog.

Signs of Separation Anxiety Include:

• Vocalisation: whining, barking, or howling when left alone
• Destructive behaviour: chewing doors, windows, furniture, or crates
• Pacing or restlessness: before or during the owner’s absence
• Excessive drooling or panting: even in normal temperatures
• Attempts to escape: scratching at doors, digging, or jumping fences
• Toileting indoors: despite being house-trained
• Shadowing: following the owner from room to room constantly

Are Specific Breeds More Susceptible?

Certain breeds can be more susceptible (or less resilient when their needs are not met) to separation anxiety.  We can break these into different categories as they are vulnerable for different reasons:

• Energetic or working dog breeds such as Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, German Shepherds and similar breeds where their enrichment and stimulation needs are not met.  For this to present as ‘separation anxiety’ rather than general anxiety this would need to become apparent when left alone or isolated from their owners.
• Companion breeds such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, toy breeds and other ‘velcro’ breeds that tend to shadow their owners.
• Breeds such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Staffys, Vizslas, Weimaraners, Italian Greyhounds and other breeds that have a combination of inherent loyalty, sensitivity and affection.

The list could go on.  In reality, it’s just as likely that some of the owners who choose many of these breeds, particularly the affectionate loyal breeds, tend to live a lifestyle with their dog that feeds into the anxiety the dog feels when the owner is not present or unavailable.

Can Separation Anxiety Be Avoided Through Training?

In short, yes.  There are a number of things we can do to minimise the prevalence of separation anxiety in dogs, particularly via appropriate condition during the puppy phase.  Here is what the available research tells us:

Study: Optimising Puppy Socialisation – Short- and Long-Term Effects

• Method: Puppies (3–6 weeks old) were exposed to graded challenges like novel objects, noises, and problem-solving tasks vs. control group with just handling. Article link
• Key takeaway: The treated puppies were bolder, less startled, and more persistent in problem-solving during early testing. While no significant differences at 6 months, the findings suggest early stimulation boosts stress resilience and supports future emotional coping, potentially reducing anxiety—including when left alone

Additionally, a Guide Dogs breeding centre study showed that enhanced socialisation in the nest (0–6 weeks) led puppies to display fewer separation-related behaviours and less general anxiety at eight months – research link

Dog Trainer’s Perspective:

We have found that puppy socialisation via the breeder and then by the new owner has a huge impact on a dog’s general temperament, resilience and happiness.  

Raising a puppy has a number of critical components that are important in conjunction with structured socialisation:

• An understanding of what motivates your dog
• Using the knowledge around your dog’s motivation to build some basic skills – so you dog is learning to learn from you
• Creating a safe space and incorporating this into you training and routine
• Managing inadvertent rewards cycles for behaviours that are on-demand (where your dog is training you!)
• Avoiding anthropomorphism, which is attributing human traits to your dog.  This leads to a misunderstanding of their needs and responses

The great news is all of this information and support is available in ‘The Puppy Pathway’, so if you are getting a puppy we highly recommend you check this out.  Behavioural issues such as separation anxiety is one of the reasons we created this programme as we could see how avoidable these issues are with careful puppy raising.

What About Helping Adult Dogs?

We employ a number of strategies to assist dogs and their owners combat separation anxiety.  It requires an assessment of the current environment, dog temperament and general routine.  From this we set up a plan to change the environment and routines over time to help build resilience in the dog.  Almost always, managing separation anxiety takes time and patience.  Often it requires ongoing efforts to strike a balance where your dog is adequately versatile and coping with day to day life. 

In addition medication can be prescribed by a vet or behaviouralist.  We advise owners to consult a dog trainer in the first instance to see the level of response to non-medical interventions.  Often it can be managed without any medication, but even if there is residual anxiety that requires attention, often it will be reduced and require a lower level of medical intervention.

The Final Word

Separation anxiety can be extremely distressing for dogs and their owners.  It also can be very limiting with some people unable to leave their dogs home alone which restricts activities and flexibility.  In our experience separation anxiety is largely avoidable through educated puppy raising, understanding your interactions with your dog and appropriate breed selection based on your lifestyle.   We always recommend educating yourself before bringing a puppy home and a great place to start is our Puppy Pathway programme.

If you have having difficulties with separation anxiety in an adult dog, or feel that you are on a path to having anxiety issues with your pup please contact us for assistance.

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Background

Traditionally puppy training and knowledge building is done either via group puppy classes, an in-home dog trainer, a search for resources on the internet, or just by ‘the seat-of-the-pants’!  All of these methods have merit, and we certainly don’t discourage people from obtaining the support and information they need whatever the source is.  I’ll break them down in more detail.

Puppy Classes

Puppy classes are often run via vet clinics and provide an overview of the basics of keeping a puppy. Topics include simple obedience, health advice and feeding guides, socialisation principles and toilet training.  We encourage new puppy owners who have the time and money to explore the option of a puppy class as it is a great outing for the puppy, provides some socialisation (particularly exposure to a vet clinic environment) and will give a good guide to raising your puppy.  

Some of the limitations of puppy classes:

• Fixed timeslots
• Travel to the training venue
• Commences after the puppy arrives home (usually 2 weeks)
• Distraction in the group environment whilst trying to learn important information
• Generally doesn’t cater to ‘difficult’ or boisterous dogs
• Usually kids are not welcome
• Variations in quality of training and trainers

These are not criticisms, but are simply limitations of conducting group training en masse.  Some of the more negative feedback we get from dog owners in relation to these classes is that they perceived the training to be of little benefit or their dog was too boisterous and was either ignored or kicked out.

Often you have to book these classes ahead of time and try to work it in with when you think your dog will arrive.  You also have to consider your vaccination timeline to qualify for entry also.  If you are relying on puppy classes solely, one big limitation is that your puppy will have been at home for at least two weeks by the time you attend.  Your puppies learning needs commenced the moment they arrived home, and your preparation should start before that.    

If you are time poor, we recommend you spend your time on socialisation and environmental exposure rather than travelling to and from a training venue for puppy classes.

In-Home Puppy Training

As a provider of in-home puppy training we are well aware of the benefits and limitations of this service. Getting a good, experienced trainer into your home to help you set up is valuable, especially as a first-time puppy owner.  This obviously comes at a cost and sessions are usually limited to 90 minutes or less as puppies have limited bursts of energy and ability to focus.  This doesn’t provide a lot of time for in-depth training around the fundamentals of raising a puppy.  Repeat visits can accommodate for this but can increase the cost and a good portion of the information is important to know before your puppy arrives home.  

It was in doing these in-home consultations for puppies that led us to develop ‘The Puppy Pathway’.  We could see that the limited time available, delayed access to the puppy and owner (after the puppy arrives home) and inability to cost effectively deliver the really important information around development and training principles left a gap which we wanted to fill. 

The reality is that a ‘dog-trainer’ can really only teach you to then teach your dog.  Why?  Because even if you had a trainer at your house for an hour each day, that would leave 23 hours for your dog to learn or unlearn.  Your dog may well listen and understand a trainer, but it will only listen and understand you with training.  The key is to have the knowledge to work with your dog effectively to build leadership and understanding.

Where a ‘dog trainer’ is invaluable in person, is to help problem solve and analyse what strategies will work for your dog, understand reward and behaviour patterns and problem solve generally.  

A great combination for new puppy owners is a comprehensive online puppy training programme such as “The Puppy Pathway’, combined with the support if required from a dog trainer either in person or via a virtual meeting (zoom).  This has proven to be better value for the dog owner and achieves better results overall.  Once you have all the fundamental knowledge, we can quickly problem solve any issues and you now have the skills to follow through.

Internet Resources

The truth is, everything you need to know is freely available on the internet.  The difficulty is that there is so much information and much of it conflicts.  You only get one shot at developing your puppy through the critical periods of development. Getting the right information and instruction around how to deploy this knowledge is vitally important.  If you are on a strict budget, getting as much information as possible via free online sources will be of great benefit compared with not having any knowledge at all. 

Winging-it!

This might actually be the most common approach.  It can be a real adventure for sure, and let’s be honest – some people are just naturals!  The risk is if you are not a natural and lack the knowledge then a lot is left to chance.  

The major downside is that the most important aspects of raising a puppy occur immediately after arriving home. This is because most puppies are brought home around eight weeks, and from seven weeks the critical periods of human socialisation and fear impact has commenced.  During the critical periods the puppy learns what is safe and what is not, and how to interact with the living and non-living things.  

Missed opportunities during these development windows often leads to behavioural and temperament deficiencies as an adult dog.  This then requires bespoke in-home training support and often results in management rather than cure of these issues.  This in general is a major source of work for dog trainers dealing with adult dogs.

Online Puppy Training

We believe a good online puppy training programme is a fantastic way to get quality, curated information from dog training professionals when you need it – before the puppy arrives home.  

You get all of the information that you need, you can learn and access it at your own pace and when it suits you.  You can revisit topics to refresh your knowledge or as needed during your journey. 

As an example, The Puppy Pathway is the culmination of over 20 years experience working with puppies and their owners in domestic and commercial environments, learning what really matters in raising a confident happy dog.  We know that what makes a successful working dog, operating in diverse environments and in varied conditions are the same things that make a pet dog resilient, confident and happy.

One advantage of the puppy phase of development, is the dog is as close as possible to a blank canvas. Aside from genetics, temperament and breed characteristics, the needs of the puppy are common between dogs and there is a clear path to go about meeting these needs.  This is why an online puppy training programme can provide all you need for your early journey, as unique behavioural and temperament issues are not usually present except in a small number of dogs.  

The Puppy Pathway provides the underlying knowledge for you to understand how dogs learn and what motivates them.  You can then use this knowledge to teach them skills and adapt to the world.

Another advantage is that if you do need additional support, the online puppy training has given you the base knowledge. This means you already understand the principles behind training, saving a lot of time and money. It also makes any training plans to achieve your goals far more successful.

Verdict

As you can see there are a variety of options for support in training your puppy.  A combination of all of them is probably the ultimate but this will come at the cost of time and money.  We believe a mix of a good online puppy training programme plus curated socialisation and conditioning outings as regularly as possible will provide the best value for money and consistent results.  When backed by a reputable dog training company for support, the online puppy training will provide everything you need for success.  

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Ask three dog historians where the Miniature Schnauzer came from and you might get three different answers. Some say they were simply downsized Standard Schnauzers — the smallest ones were picked and bred until they stayed small. Others suggest the breed was created by mixing Standard Schnauzers with smaller dogs like Affenpinschers or Miniature Poodles (The Miniature Schnauzer Club)

But here’s what we do know: the goal was to create a more compact Schnauzer that had the same scruffy good looks and personality — just in a smaller package.

Fashion and preferences come and go, but Schnauzer fans have always been focused on keeping what matters most. That sharp mind, fearless heart, and unmistakable cheeky charm. Whether they’re chasing rats or snuggling on the couch, Miniature Schnauzers have always had big dog energy in a ‘fun-size’ frame.

Miniature Schnauzers are intelligent. and full of personality.  They bring a bold energy that often surprises people unfamiliar with the breed.

They love people and thrive when they’re part of the action. Whether it’s joining you on errands or keeping watch from the couch, they like to be involved.

Care and Maintenance

The Miniature Schnauzer’s iconic look — wiry coat, dramatic eyebrows, and that unmistakable beard doesn’t happen by accident. This is a breed that needs regular grooming to stay sharp.

Their double coat is low-shedding, which is great for keeping your clothes hair-free, but it does mean they need scheduled upkeep. Most owners opt for a professional groom every 6 to 8 weeks to maintain that classic Schnauzer silhouette: short back, long furnishings, and a clean-lined beard.

In between trims, brushing a few times a week helps prevent matting and keeps the coat in good condition — especially on the legs and face. That beard, while undeniably charming, can collect all sorts of things (food, water, the occasional leaf), so a quick wipe or rinse often goes a long way.

Nail trims, ear checks, and dental care are part of the usual maintenance routine, as with any breed. But if you’re after a “wash and wear” dog, this probably isn’t it. The Mini Schnauzer takes a little effort, but they clean up very well.

Dog Trainer’s Perspective:

The Miniature Schnauzer is a dog that has really grown on me during my time as a dog trainer.  They are a stunning looking dog and respond well to training and love to interact.  I’d definitely consider one for myself.  We do however get a decent amount of in-home training requests for them and the issues tend to follow a consistent theme.

What We See:

Reactivity out an about is something we regularly assist owners with.  This presents as excessive barking, lunging, sometimes nipping and a unique excited squeal that I have really only heard in Schnauzers.  Excessive guarding and barking at home at almost anything but particularly visitors, doorbells, door knocks and other noises.

To some degree these issues can be present in almost any breed, however they are routinely intense in the Schnauzer’s we assist with.  

In my opinion there are a few factors influencing this:

• Lack of appropriate strategic socialisation and environmental condition during the puppy phase.  This leads to fear of the unknown or ‘untrusted’ which is responded to via barking.  This response becomes a habit where the assessment phase (of the perceived threat) is extinguished and anything that isn’t completely familiar or explainable is reacted to.  We have extensive coverage of this process in the online Puppy Pathway training programme.

• Acceptance or inadvertent reward for barking in the early development phases contributing to the habit.  This is visible in many ways during home visits but the ‘classic’ Miniature Schnauzer jump on top of the couch to get to the person level, and then bark until they get a pat – which often follows is common.  This demand-reward cycle is often present in other situations and can lead to issues if not managed.

• Lack of appropriate training and stimulation for the breed.  Miniature Schnauzers are a big dog in a lap dog package to some degree, and what they need from an owner is some consistent stimulation, direction and leadership.  

• Getting a second Miniature Schnauzer to accompany the first one due to barking and perceived boredom.  Almost always, the second dog will learn the behaviours of the first dog – this goes both ways, good or bad.

So the takeaways from the above are to consider the needs of your dog.  A Miniature Schnauzer needs good guidance and stimulation similar to that of a bigger active dog.  They also respond well to a carefully managed socialisation and environmental conditioning plan.  Detailed guidance and information on these processes are contained within our Puppy Pathway online training programme which we highly recommend. 

In addition, be mindful of what you allow your dog to demand of you and the way in which it is demanded. Miniature Schnauzers are very intelligent and will soon work out how to push your buttons.

If you already own a Miniature Schnauzer and are having problems such as those described above, seek assistance to resolve any issues prior to obtaining another Schnauzer.  We see this all the time as various behaviours are interpreted as a result of them being bored or lonely.  It is great to see two Schnauzers living their best life, but it is far more difficult to modify these behaviours with two dogs than with one.  Each dog will set the other off routinely and interrupting these patterns takes a lot of patience and time.  With one dog, it is usually a fairly straight forward process to manage the reactivity and associated habits to have a better balance on a day-to-day basis.  A second dog that comes into a calm orderly environment will likely mirror that vibe.

I do believe that the issues described above are largely influenced by training and environmental factors rather than the breeds inherent tendency towards these behaviours.  They really are a wonderful and engaging dog and very trainable.  They tend to want to learn and do what you ask of them. If you need any assistance in relation to training your Miniature Schnauzer you reach out to us here.

Verdict

If you want a smaller breed of dog with plenty of personality, who is still quite active and loves walks, the Miniature Schnauzer is a great choice.  The fact that they are low shedding is also a bonus for many people but factor in grooming expenses.  Some just love the look and wouldn’t have anything else.  I think they are great for families as well and they generally mix well with kids.  If you are looking for purely a lap dog, I’d at least consider some lower energy breeds.    

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Why Puppy Training is Essential

Puppies, like young children, are full of energy and curiosity, but they need guidance to learn appropriate behaviour. Without training, your puppy may develop habits that are difficult to break later on. Puppy training provides structure and helps your dog understand what’s expected of them. It also encourages mental stimulation and helps prevent behavioural problems such as excessive barking, chewing, or jumping.

Key Areas of Puppy Training

When it comes to training puppies, there are a few critical areas that every new dog owner should focus on:

1. House Training (Toilet Training)

One of the first and most important tasks for any puppy owner is toilet training. Consistency and patience are key here. Set up a regular schedule for your puppy to go outside, especially after meals, naps, and playtime. Positive reinforcement, like treats and praise, is essential when your puppy successfully goes to the bathroom outside.

Pro Tip: Accidents happen, but don’t punish your puppy. Instead, clean up the mess and continue reinforcing positive behaviour. Punishment can lead to confusion and anxiety.

2. Basic Commands

Teaching your puppy basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come” helps establish control and communication. These simple commands lay the groundwork for more advanced training in the future.

• Sit: Use treats to guide your puppy into a sitting position and reward them for compliance.
• Stay: Once your puppy has mastered “sit,” introduce “stay” to help them learn self-control.
• Come: Use a cheerful tone and a treat to encourage your puppy to come to you when called.

Mastering these commands can make daily life easier and is essential for keeping your puppy safe.

3. Socialisation

Proper socialisation is one of the most important parts of training your puppy. Between the ages of 3 to 16 weeks, puppies are in a critical period for social development. Introducing them to a variety of people, environments, and other dogs during this time helps prevent fear and aggression later in life.

Take your puppy for walks, invite friends over, or enroll them in a training class to ensure they get plenty of socialisation in a safe and controlled manner.

4. Crate Training

Crate training can be incredibly beneficial for both you and your puppy. A crate provides a safe space for your puppy to relax and can help with potty training and separation anxiety. Make the crate a positive place by using treats, toys, and blankets to make it feel cosy and welcoming.

Pro Tip: Don’t use the crate as a form of punishment. It should be a comfortable and secure space for your puppy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While training your puppy, it’s easy to make mistakes that could slow down progress. Here are a few things to watch out for:

• Inconsistent Training: Make sure everyone in the household is on the same page with commands and rules. Consistency is key to successful training.
• Too Much Freedom Too Soon: Allowing your puppy to roam freely before they’re fully house-trained can lead to accidents and bad habits. Gradually increase their freedom as they learn.
• Lack of Patience: Puppies are learning, and it takes time for them to fully understand what you want from them. Be patient and use positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviour.

Puppy Training Classes: Are They Right for You?

If you’re struggling with training your puppy, or simply want expert guidance, training classes can be a great solution. Many local trainers offer group classes specifically designed for puppies, which provide valuable socialization and help you learn effective training techniques.

These classes often cover obedience training, leash manners, and problem-solving for common puppy behaviours. Plus, working with an experienced trainer can give you confidence and support during the training process.

Why Positive Reinforcement is Best

When it comes to puppy training, positive reinforcement is the most effective method. Positive reinforcement rewards your puppy for doing the right thing, making them more likely to repeat that behaviour. Using treats, praise, and playtime as rewards helps create a strong bond between you and your puppy while encouraging good habits.

Always avoid harsh punishments which can damage your relationship with your puppy and lead to fear-based behaviours. If you are encountering behaviours you can’t resolve, contact an expert puppy trainer today.

Start Your Puppy Journey Today

Puppy training is essential to raising a happy, well-behaved dog that fits seamlessly into your family. By focusing on house training, basic commands, socialisation, and crate training, you’ll set your puppy up for success. Remember, patience and consistency are key, and seeking professional help if you need.

Start training your puppy today, and you’ll enjoy a lifetime of loyalty and companionship with a dog that understands and respects the rules.

Looking for expert puppy training services? Contact us today at directk9.com.au to learn more about our puppy one-on-one sessions that will help you and your pup thrive together!

*Direct K9 Services PTY LTD may receive a commission from this service.

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