Mila’s Journey: How a Rescue Dog Overcame Severe Separation Anxiety

a rescue dog with separation anxiety

Meet Mila, a 1.5-year-old rescue from a local shelter in America.

When Ava, her owner brought her home, she was full of love and energy, but like many rescue dogs, Mila came with an unknown past.

Ava had no idea what challenges might be ahead.

Shortly after settling in, Mila began showing troubling behaviours whenever left alone.

Whenever left alone, Mila would:

• Pant excessively

• Howl and bark for hours

• Pace nervously around the house

• Destroy furniture and household items

dog scratching furniture
dog destroying home

Her owner didn’t understand why this was happening and thought it might just be a phase.

It wasn’t until she started searching for answers that she learned these were all signs of separation anxiety.


Unfortunately, it wasn’t just Mila who suffered—her owner, Ava felt the weight of it all, too.

The Challenges Mila’s Owner Faced

Living with a dog who has separation anxiety can feel like being stuck in a never-ending cycle of stress.

For Mila’s owner, simple daily tasks became almost impossible.

She couldn’t even leave for a quick trip to the store without worrying about:

• What destruction they might come home to

• The damage being done to the property

• Whether Mila might hurt herself in her panic

• The neighbours hearing Mila’s constant barking and howling

Finding Help with Dog Separation Anxiety Training

After countless sleepless nights and stressful days, Mila’s owner knew she needed help.

She reached out to us, JGBehaviour - Dog Separation Anxiety Training and booked a free consultation with Jodie, one of our specialists.


In the consultation, Jodie took the time to understand what both Mila and her owner needed.

It became clear that working 1-on-1 with Jodie would be the best path forward.

Jodie created a customised training plan tailored to Mila’s specific needs and her owner’s lifestyle.

They were provided with constant support and regular check-ins to track progress and make adjustments along the way.

Together, they worked not just to manage Mila’s symptoms but to understand and address the root causes of her anxiety.

Where Mila is Now: A Happy, Calm Dog

Today, Mila can be left alone for up to 5 hours without showing any signs of anxiety.

Here’s a video from Ava and Mila:

Separation anxiety review

How This Can Help You and Your Dog

If you’re struggling with a dog who has separation anxiety, Mila’s story proves that there is hope.

Here are three takeaways if you’re in a similar situation:

  1. You’re not alone
    Many dog owners face these challenges, especially those with rescue dogs.

  2. Understanding your dog’s behaviour is key
    Learning what triggers your dog’s anxiety is the first step to changing it.

  3. Structured dog separation anxiety training works
    With the right help, you can teach your dog to feel safe when alone—just like Mila

Are you unable to leave your dog home alone? Or feeling like a prisoner in your own home?

Book a Free Consultation Today

No-obligation, just straight-up free advice on your situation!