Our duty as responsible owners extends beyond simply master and dog. We are pet parents, dogs are our family and friends! So it can be extremely upsetting when our dog is distressed. According to veterinarians, separation anxiety might affect up to 40% of dogs to some degree. Furthermore, dog professionals have reported an uptick in doggy separation anxiety since the 2020 pandemic. People have begun heading back to work and going out more, leaving their pooches behind while disrupting their routine.

​Separation anxiety can range from a dog acting mopey and sad to full-on destruction of furniture or even walls and doors in an attempt to escape. It can be difficult to live with a dog suffering from severe separation anxiety. Let’s take a look at how to recognize separation anxiety, what causes it, and how you can help your furry family member!

What Is Separation Anxiety?

Doggy separation anxiety refers to a dog that is incredibly stressed and panicked when left alone. It is extremely common; however, it can be very difficult to deal with. Many times, symptoms of separation anxiety can be fixed with simple house manners or crate training, but in some cases are a lot more serious.

​These dogs might howl, chew, dig, and try to escape in their distress of being alone. Don’t worry, it is possible to help your dog be calm and learn to regulate themselves instead of freaking out.

Signs Of Separation Anxiety

There are three primary ways separation anxiety tends to reveal itself in dogs: Behavioral, physical, and timing. Let’s take a deeper look.

• Behavioral: Behavioral signs refer to certain behaviors common in dogs suffering from separation anxiety. This can include chewing, digging, destruction, defecating, urinating, howling, barking, or trying to escape. If your dog chews appropriate toys when you are home, but you come home to destroyed couches and baseboards, they are likely suffering from separation anxiety.  

• Physical: Physical signs of separation anxiety include pacing, trembling, panting, not eating, and drooling. These are all signs of stress and anxiety about the impending dread of being left alone.

• Timing: Dogs are smart and easily learn our routine. That means they know when you are about to leave because you grab your keys, coat, and shoes. Dogs with separation anxiety might start ramping up their typical behaviors like whining, becoming more attached to you (i.e. velcro dogs), or panting.

A dog displaying limited symptoms might simply have poor manners, need more training, or socialization. However, if they are suffering from multiple separation anxiety symptoms, it is important to figure out the cause and get your dog help!

Causes Of Separation Anxiety

There are a number of factors that might cause canine separation anxiety. Here is a list of the most common reasons.

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• Life Changes: A change in routine can disrupt your dog’s day-to-day security, causing stress or separation anxiety. Common life changes include:
  • Moving houses
  • Special occasions like holidays
  • New job
  • Getting older
  • An expanding family (such as a new baby or significant other).

• Breed, genetics, and temperament: Some dogs are more high-strung than others. For example, working and high-energy breeds like Border Collies are very intelligent and need plenty of exercise and a job. Without the proper mental stimulation, they might develop separation anxiety as a coping behavior.

• Lack of Exercise and Boredom: “A tired dog is a good dog” rings true for dogs that have developed separation anxiety.

• Lack of Training: Some dogs, more than others, need structure and a gentle guide on how to act. It is important to train dogs from puppyhood to learn how to be safely alone. An experienced trainer can help you raise your puppy with confidence!

• Past-Trauma: Rehomed or rescued dogs might have experienced abuse or trauma in the past, making it difficult for them to be left alone. Patience and love are important in allowing your newly adopted dog to slowly acclimate to being in a safe, new home.

Helping Your Anxious Pup

• Desensitization and Counterconditioning: Helpful for any dog suffering a fear-based behavior, desensitization and counterconditioning can help dogs with less severe cases of separation anxiety learn to change and replace their behavior. Desensitization looks like slowly exposing and acclimating them to you leaving. Grab your keys and leave for only a minute. Gradually increase the time as the dog becomes more comfortable.

Pair with counterconditioning by showing them how to replace their panic behavior with a more appropriate behavior, like a stuffed Kong or sniffing for treats. A good trainer can help you build an appropriate training plan for desensitization and counterconditioning.

• Tire Them Out!: More walks and especially mental enrichment can really help a high-drive and energetic pup improve their separation anxiety. When they are tired (both physically and mentally), they often are less anxious when left alone. Plan your day to ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise and training!

• Hiring Someone: Sometimes being able to break up your dog’s day can be helpful when they are suffering from separation anxiety, specifically if their issue stems from too much energy. A trusted dog walker or daycare could be a lifesaver for these dogs!

• Create A Safe Space: Some pooches benefit greatly from simply feeling safe and secure. A crate or enclosed space, paired with white noise such as a radio or TV, can be calming and help alleviate the anxiety caused by being alone. On the flip side, I have a dog that is totally fine by himself in the house but is very distressed about being left in his crate. It is a matter of knowing your dog and what works best for them.

• Professional Help: Professional help could look like a trusted dog trainer, or in some cases, your veterinarian. For severe cases of separation anxiety, vets can prescribe anti-anxiety meds. Talk to your vet if you think this will help your canine best friend!

Final Thoughts

Separation anxiety is a common but manageable challenge for many dog families. By learning to recognize the behavioral and physical signs, you can better understand what your dog is experiencing. Identifying the root cause, whether it’s a life change, lack of exercise, past trauma, or genetics, is key to creating an effective plan. With patience, consistent training, enrichment, and sometimes professional support, most pups can improve significantly. Remember, progress may take time, but your compassion and commitment make all the difference in helping your furry family member feel safe, secure, and confident when home alone.