Your dog follows you to the door, and the howling starts before you’ve reached the car. Or you come home to a chewed door frame and a puddle on the floor. If that sounds familiar, your dog may be struggling with being left alone.
Separation anxiety is common, and it isn’t bad behavior. The Merck Veterinary Manual describes it as panic at being left alone. This guide covers the signs to look for, why it happens and the steps that help.
I’m writing from experience. My dog Milly is a rescue with separation anxiety. Gradual practice, rewards and patience have brought her to the point where she’s calm when left alone for short periods.
Signs of separation anxiety in dogs
The clearest signs happen while you’re out, or as you get ready to go. The ASPCA lists these:
- Barking or howling that carries on after you leave
- Chewing, digging or destroying things
- Toileting indoors, even though your dog is house trained
- Trying to escape from a room or crate
- Pacing in circles or along a fixed path
Timing is a useful clue. According to Merck, the signs are often most severe in the first 15 to 30 minutes of being alone.
Some dogs struggle quietly. The RSPCA says half of the dogs who find it hard to cope alone show no obvious signs. Quieter signs include trembling, panting, heavy drooling, licking or biting at themselves, and refusing food until you’re home.
Tip
Film your dog for the first half hour after you leave. It’s the quickest way to tell distress from boredom, and the video is useful if you see a vet or behaviorist.
Why dogs develop separation anxiety
There’s rarely a single cause. The ASPCA points to big changes in a dog’s life as common triggers:
- A change of home or family, such as being surrendered to a shelter or rehomed
- A sudden change in routine that affects when or how long your dog is left alone
- Moving house
- A family member leaving or dying
Rule out other explanations first. Toileting indoors can have a medical cause, such as a urinary tract infection, so a vet check is a sensible first step. Chewing and barking can also come from boredom or a young dog’s energy, with no anxiety behind them.
If your dog is also jumpy about noises, visitors or new places, our guide to nervous dogs covers the wider picture.
What you can try
The aim is to teach your dog that being alone is safe and that you always come back. That means keeping time alone short enough for your dog to stay calm, then building up slowly.
Start with very short absences
The RSPCA’s training plan starts with your dog settled on their bed while you’re still in the room. Move away, come back and reward calm behavior. Then add distance and time, step out of the door for a moment, and work up from there. If your dog gets up or frets, go back a step.
For dogs with stronger anxiety, the ASPCA suggests absences of only one or two seconds to begin with, increased slowly over many sessions. It also recommends practicing the things that signal you’re leaving, such as picking up your keys or putting on a coat, without going anywhere.
Progress can feel slow. Stick with it.
Give your dog something good to do
For mild cases, the ASPCA recommends a food-stuffed puzzle toy that takes 20 to 30 minutes to finish. Hand it over as you leave and pick it up when you get home, so it’s only on offer when your dog is alone.
An anxious dog often won’t touch food. If the toy is still full when you get back, the absence was too long for now.
Exercise first
A walk or a game before you go helps your dog settle. The ASPCA suggests at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity every day. The RSPCA adds a small meal and a toilet break before you leave.
Set up a safe, comfortable spot
A crate helps some dogs, if they already see it as their safe place. Others panic when confined. The ASPCA’s advice is to watch for signs of distress and, if you see them, use a single room with a baby gate instead.
Keep time alone realistic while you train
Training works best if your dog isn’t pushed past what they can handle between sessions. A dog sitter, daycare, a friend or working from home on some days can fill the gaps. The RSPCA advises against leaving any dog alone for more than four hours.
What to avoid
Don’t punish your dog for what happens while you’re out. The ASPCA is clear that these behaviors aren’t disobedience or spite, and that scolding can make the problem worse.
Don’t leave your dog to cry it out either. The RSPCA warns that it teaches dogs that being alone is frightening.
When to talk to your vet
See your vet if your dog injures themselves, damages doors or crates trying to get out, or isn’t improving with steady practice. A vet can check for medical causes and refer you to a qualified behaviorist.
Medication is an option for severe cases. It’s a decision for your vet, and the ASPCA notes that it’s usually paired with training. Ask your vet before giving any calming product or supplement too.
Common questions
How long does it take to treat separation anxiety in dogs?
It varies from dog to dog. The ASPCA describes a gradual program built from many short sessions over a number of weeks. Slow progress is normal, and going back a step is part of the process.
How long can I leave my dog alone?
The RSPCA advises no more than four hours for an adult dog, and much less for a puppy. While you’re training, keep absences within what your dog can handle calmly.
Should I crate a dog with separation anxiety?
Only if your dog already relaxes in the crate. Some anxious dogs panic when confined and can hurt themselves trying to get out. A dog-proofed room behind a baby gate is the usual alternative.
Is my dog anxious or bored?
Look at timing and body language. Anxiety tends to start soon after you leave and comes with signs of distress such as pacing, panting, drooling or howling. Filming your dog will show you which it is.
Do calming products help with separation anxiety?
Pheromone diffusers, wraps and calming chews may help some dogs settle. Treat them as a support for training, and ask your vet before giving any supplement.
Sources
- ASPCA: Separation Anxiety
- RSPCA: Recognising separation-related behaviour and anxiety in dogs
- RSPCA: Training your dog to be left alone
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Behavior Problems in Dogs
