Best dog training apps for separation anxiety (2026)
Updated: February 2026
If your dog panics when you leave, you need more than a generic training app. You need something designed for the specific challenge of separation anxiety: graduated absences, departure desensitization, and progress tracking that shows whether your dog is actually improving. We evaluated the top dog training apps specifically for their separation anxiety capabilities.
Disclosure: We built Bubbas, so we’re biased toward it. We’ve tried to be fair and honest about every app on this list, including Bubbas’ limitations. Prices and features were verified in February 2026.
Quick picks (TL;DR)
- Best for separation anxiety: Bubbas — Purpose-built anxiety plans, AI coaching, household sync, progress tracking
- Best for variety + some anxiety content: Dogo — 1000+ lessons including calm training, lower price point
- Best for live professional help: GoodPup — 1-on-1 video sessions with certified trainers for complex cases
Our scoring rubric (1–5)
| App | Anxiety plan | Departure training | Progress tracking | AI coaching | Household support | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bubbas | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 7 |
| Dogo | 5 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 9 |
| Woofz | 4 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Puppr | 3 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| GoodPup | 8 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 5 | 4 |
1. Bubbas
Best for: Separation anxiety, graduated absence training, household consistency
Pros
- Only app with a dedicated, structured separation anxiety plan
- Graduated absence training built into the daily plan
- AI coach trained on anxiety-specific scenarios
- Household support — everyone follows the same plan
- Progress tracking for calm duration and stress thresholds
- 7-day free trial
Cons
- iOS only (no Android yet)
- Smaller content library than Dogo
- Higher price than Dogo
- Newer app with a smaller user base
Pricing: $19.99/mo or $69/yr. 7-day free trial.
Our take: The best choice if separation anxiety is your primary concern. The structured plan, anxiety-specific tracking, and household sync are unmatched by other apps.
Try Bubbas free2. Dogo
Best for: General training with some anxiety-related content
Pros
- Large library of 1000+ lessons
- Some calm and relaxation training content
- AI trainer for general questions
- Lower price point ($9.99/mo)
- iOS and Android
Cons
- No dedicated separation anxiety program
- No graduated absence training feature
- No household support
- Progress tracking isn’t anxiety-specific
Pricing: $9.99/mo or $29.99/yr. Limited free tier.
Our take: A solid all-around training app with a huge library, but not purpose-built for separation anxiety. Best if your dog’s anxiety is mild and you also want trick training.
3. Woofz
Best for: Personalized daily training courses
Pros
- Personalized plans based on dog profile
- Structured daily sessions
- iOS and Android
Cons
- No dedicated anxiety program
- No AI coach
- No household support
- Shorter free trial (3 days)
Pricing: $22.99/mo or $69.99/yr. 3-day trial.
Our take: Woofz offers personalized course-based learning that some beginners find easy to follow, but it’s not specialized for separation anxiety.
4. Puppr
Best for: Clicker training and basic tricks
Pros
- Good clicker integration
- Clear photo-based guides
- Simple, clean interface
Cons
- Very limited anxiety content
- No AI coaching
- No household support
- Not designed for behavior problems
Pricing: Freemium with premium unlock.
Our take: A friendly app for basics, but not suitable as a primary tool for separation anxiety training.
5. GoodPup
Best for: Severe anxiety cases needing professional guidance
Pros
- Live 1-on-1 video sessions with certified trainers
- Trainers can observe your specific situation
- Personalized advice for complex cases
- Human expertise, not just algorithms
Cons
- Significantly more expensive (~$30+/week)
- Requires scheduling
- Less flexible than self-paced apps
- No daily structured plan between sessions
Pricing: Starts around $30/week for live sessions.
Our take: The best option if you want human professional guidance. Ideal for severe cases. Can be used alongside Bubbas for daily structure between sessions.
How we scored these apps
We evaluated each app specifically for separation anxiety training, not general training quality. Our criteria focused on: whether the app has a dedicated anxiety plan, departure-specific training exercises, progress tracking for anxiety metrics, quality of coaching or support, household/multi-user support, and overall value for anxiety training specifically.
Frequently asked questions
Can a dog training app really help with separation anxiety?+
Yes — if it provides structured desensitization training, which is the evidence-based approach for separation anxiety. The key is consistency and gradual progression, which an app can help you maintain. For severe cases, pairing an app with a veterinary behaviorist is recommended.
Which app is best for severe separation anxiety?+
For severe cases, we recommend Bubbas for daily structured training combined with GoodPup or a local veterinary behaviorist for professional oversight. Severe anxiety may also benefit from medication prescribed by a vet.
Are these apps worth the cost for anxiety training?+
Consider the alternative costs: property damage, noise complaints, potential rehoming. Even one month of structured training ($20–$70) is a fraction of what most people spend on damaged furniture or professional trainer sessions ($100–$200/hour).
Do any of these apps work on Android?+
Dogo, Woofz, and Puppr are available on both iOS and Android. Bubbas is currently iOS only. GoodPup operates via video calls so it works on any device.
Start your dog’s anxiety training plan
Download BubbasRelated guides
Training plan for anxious dogs
Step-by-step separation anxiety plan with daily routines.
Separation anxiety dog training app
How Bubbas helps with separation anxiety — the full breakdown.
How to train a dog to be alone
Practical steps for building alone-time tolerance.
Dog cries when I leave
Why your dog cries and how to fix it with desensitization.
Dog barks when left alone
Barking-specific training plan for dogs left alone.
Separation anxiety: Week 1 plan
Day-by-day guide for the first week of anxiety training.
Bubbas vs Dogo
Feature and pricing comparison for behavior-focused training.
Bubbas vs Dogo for separation anxiety
Which app is better specifically for anxious dogs?
Bubbas vs Puppr
Behavior plans vs clicker-based trick training.
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Ranked comparison of the top training apps for anxiety.
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Trust-based training for newly adopted dogs with unknown histories.
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Positive crate introduction that works alongside anxiety training.
Crate training schedule: first week
Day-by-day crate training plan from 5 seconds to 30 minutes.
How to calm a dog down fast
Emergency calming techniques plus a long-term relaxation protocol.
Separation anxiety: day-by-day schedule
Complete 4-week day-by-day training schedule with specific durations.