The Ultimate Guide to Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Understanding dog separation anxiety image of dog on couch

What is Separation Anxiety in Dogs?

Separation anxiety in dogs is a behavioral condition where dogs exhibit signs of distress when they are apart from their owners, and is more common than we ever imagined! This anxiety can manifest in various ways, including destructive behavior, excessive barking, and even physical symptoms like panting and pacing. Understanding dog separation anxiety is crucial for providing the right support and care for affected dogs.

Canine separation anxiety tends to be a bit of a catch-all term for any kind of separation related behavior that happens when their owners are not around. While many dogs will have true clinical separation anxiety, where they are hyper attached to a single person and cannot cope with being apart from their human caregiver, many others' have isolation distress, where they are comfortable as long as a human is around.

Across this site you will see me write it as separation anxiety, but please know I am using this broad term, and will go into the nuances, classifications, and motivations in later articles.

If you need help with your dog's separation anxiety you can book a session and work with me or get in touch to get help right away.

Understanding Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Why Do Dogs Develop Separation Anxiety?

Several factors can contribute to the development of separation anxiety in dogs:

Change in Routine – Significant changes in a dog's daily routine, such as a new work schedule or moving to a new home, can trigger anxiety.
Loss of a Family Member – The sudden absence of a family member, human or canine whether due to death, divorce, or moving away, can cause distress in dogs and contribute to separation anxiety.
Adoption History – Dogs adopted from shelters or rescue organizations may have experienced abandonment or multiple rehoming situations, making them more prone to anxiety.
Lack of Socialization – Puppies that are not adequately socialized may grow up to be more anxious and fearful when left alone.

We do not know the true cause of separation anxiety yet, but be sure your dog's separation anxiety is NOT your fault.

How Can You Identify Separation-Related Behavior in Dogs?

Separation related behavior is anything that the dog does when you are not there – for some dogs they just sleep, that's their SRB (separation related behavior) and it is NOT an SRP (separation related problem)! But many, in fact anything from 20-40% of dogs have separation related problems when their owners leaves. Sometimes this will be subtle and very hard to spot, and other times it is more obvious, which is when you often call someone like me, a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer for help.

Common Signs of Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Identifying the signs of separation anxiety is the first step toward helping your dog. Common symptoms include:

Destructive Behavior – Chewing furniture, scratching doors, or digging at windows.
Excessive Barking or Howling – Vocalizing more than usual, especially when left alone.
House Soiling – Urinating or defecating indoors, even if the dog is house-trained.
Pacing and Restlessness – Moving back and forth or unable to settle down.
Escaping – Attempts to escape from the house or yard when left alone.
Physical Symptoms – Drooling, panting, and exhibiting signs of stress or panic.

Identifying the Signs of Anxiety

Recognizing when your dog has separation anxiety involves observing their behavior closely when you're gone, modern technology like home CCTV, pet-cams, tablets. phones and video conferencing makes this a lot easier than the old days of reviewing previously recorded camcorder footage!

It's essential to learn dog body language for this, as you can tell how your dog is feeling and spot signs of fear, anxiety or frustration, ensuring that separation anxiety isn’t overlooked.

Recognizing When Your Dog Has Separation Anxiety

Consult with a professional dog behaviorist who specializes in Separation Anxiety if you suspect your dog is struggling with being on their own at home. They will:

Conduct a Thorough History – Gather information about your dog's behavior, daily routine, and any recent changes.
Rule Out Medical Issues – Ensure that symptoms are not due to underlying medical conditions – professional behaviorists should work on Veterinary referral, or in conjunction with your Veterinarian, so that everyone know what is going on.
Behavioral Assessment – Observe and analyze your dog's behavior in various situations, look at how your dog's emotions are driving this behavior and what they think is the motivation.
Behavior Modification – Following the consultation and assessment, your Behaviorist should work out a full behavior program to help change how your dog feels about you leaving and work on helping them relax when you're gone.

Common Signs of Distress to Watch For

Watch for signs that your dog is showing anxiety or fear, such as:

Increased clinginess before you leave
Excessive excitement or anxiety when you return
Attempts to prevent you from leaving the house.

There are lots of signs of separation anxiety in dogs for you to watch out for, and they're not all as obvious as you might expect!

How to Prevent Separation Anxiety in Dogs?

Early Dog Training Techniques

Preventing separation anxiety from developing is easier than treating separation anxiety. Here are some preventive measures:

Early Socialization – This starts with the breeder, teaching a puppy that being alone isn't scary! Exposing puppies to various people, environments, and experiences will build their confidence, resilience and help them cope better.
Gradual Departures – When bringing a new puppy home, start with short absences and gradually increase the duration.
Independence Training – Teach your dog to be comfortable being alone by providing them with activities they can enjoy independently, such as enrichment toys and training games.

Tips to Prevent Separation Anxiety Before It Starts

Avoid Early Panic – Building a safe and secure attachment is important, don't let your puppy ‘cry it out', they need to know you are there for them, as this makes them feel safe.
Consistent Routine – Maintain a consistent daily routine to help your dog feel secure and predict your comings and goings.
Meet your puppy's needs – prevent boredom and frustration building, and this tipping over into RAGE and separation related problems, by fully understanding your dog's breed and what they are trained to do. Breed specific dog training like gundog or herding training can really help to meet their daily needs and keep your dog from worrying.
Crate training – this can help puppies have a safe place, to relax but care must be taken that crates and playpens are not abused as this can get you problems like crate anxiety and barrier frustration, which can lead to separation anxiety.

What to Do When Your Dog Has Separation Anxiety?

Seek help! You don't need to tackle separation anxiety on your own, there are many ways to help your dog. You can contact me and book a call, or keep on reading this blog for ways to help your dog cope when you’re away and help to fix their separation anxiety.

Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Effectively managing dog separation anxiety involves a combination of training, environmental changes, and, in some cases, medication. Here are some strategies to consider to make sure that your dog gets the help they need to be anxiety-free:

Behavioral Training – Gradual desensitization will help reduce anxiety, we always need to look at it from an emotional perspective and carry out a full assessment to find out the motivation behind the behavior.
Create a Safe Space – Provide a comfortable and secure area for your dog to stay when you're not home. This could be a crate, a specific room, or a cozy bed with familiar toys and blankets to make sure that your dog feels safe.
Exercise and Mental Stimulation – Ensure your dog gets plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation through toys, food puzzles like Kongs, and interactive games to keep your dog emotionally and physically healthy.
Calming Aids – Products like calming collars, pheromone diffusers, and anxiety wraps can help soothe anxious dogs if the anxiety is mild, more severs cases of fear being alone or anxious.

When to Consult a Professional Dog Trainer

In severe cases, seek the assistance of a Certified Separation Anxiety dog Trainer (CSAT) or behaviorist that specializes in separation anxiety. They can provide tailored training plans and techniques, that will help you teach your dog to cope when home alone.

How to Help Your Dog Feel More Secure?

Using Crate Training Effectively

Crate training can be a valuable tool if used correctly. Ensure the crate is a positive space, not a place of punishment.

Ensuring Your Dog is Left with Comforting Items

Leave comfort items like a favorite toy or a piece of clothing with your scent to help soothe your dog.

Don't Leave Them Longer Than They Can Cope With

Sounds obvious but leaving home for too long is not going to help your dog's anxiety. Treatment of separation anxiety will include the removal of the thing that is making your dog upset, you leaving them for too long.

Is Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety Manageable?

Cases of Separation Anxiety that Require Professional Help

Many cases of separation anxiety may require professional intervention, especially if the dog shows extreme distress or self-harming behaviors. It's the professional's job to help your understanding of dog separation anxiety, to train your dog to be comfortable with separation and alone time, so do ask for help.

Long-term Strategies for Managing Separation Anxiety

Consistent and patient efforts are required to manage separation anxiety long-term. Implementing the strategies mentioned and maintaining a supportive environment will help keep your dog feeling more secure and reduce separation anxiety.

Learn more about data tracking in separation anxiety training, or learn more about me and my experience.