Separation Anxiety

First, if your dog can spend the night away from you, and is comfortable being somewhat separated from you while you're home, you probably do not really have separation anxiety - you are more likely to be dealing with boredom or just inappropriate chewing, barking, digging, etc.  However if your dog spends every second that you're home glued to your side, including sleeping times, and any destruction you find happens within the first 20 minutes of your absence (use a video camera to watch, or come back within a short time period) you could have a separation anxiety problem.

These Are Separation Anxiety Cues

- The dog chews on a variety of things only when you’re gone and often focused on items that smell like you such as recently worn clothes and /or escape routes (doors or windows).

- The dog pees or poops inappropriately, in many locations.

- The dog barks continuously during the day (not on and off), perhaps after a build-up of whining.

- The dog always shows these behaviors when left alone.

- The dog is wild to greet you, and is still stressed, anxious and clingy when you first arrive home.

- Destruction begins soon after you leave.

- The dog cannot be isolated from you at any time, even in a different room with the door closed.

- Sometimes, the dog can be left alone in a car (for any length of time) or other unusual location, without showing anxiety or destructiveness.

- The dog gets increasingly distressed as you prepare to leave.

  How To Prevent and Manage Separation Anxiety

Try to make your arrivals and departures very boring and low-key. Don't make a big fuss over saying hello and goodbye. Get your dog used to your getting-ready-to-leave cues, like picking up keys and jacket. Go through these actions repeatedly during the time when you're staying home, without actually leaving.

Give your dog more exercise. Most young dogs could use 20-100 minutes of full-speed running per day. Don't forget mental exercise, like training, exploring new places, encountering new smells, and social interaction with other dogs.

Give your dog something to do while you're gone! Give your dog a work-to-eat toy like a stuffed kong, tricky treat ball or a buster cube. Don't draw attention to forbidden objects just before leaving - in other words, don't straighten up or point out the items that you don't want the dog to chew.

Consider crating your dog. Some dogs are more comfortable when confined to a small "den".   Read our crating handout on our resources page.

 If you are already having serious separation anxiety problems, please contact a trainer right away.

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