If you frequently return home to destroyed belongings, reports of nuisance barking, or indoor accidents, your dog might have separation anxiety. However, common symptoms like pacing, howling, and destructive behavior can be caused by a number of other conditions. So how can you tell if your dog truly has separation anxiety?
In this guide, we’ll cover how to identify separation anxiety in dogs, reviewing typical signs and underlying causes. We’ll also offer tips to help you find a qualified trainer and answer some common questions.
Did you know? You can find dog trainers on Rover who specialize in helping anxious dogs. When searching for a dog trainer, filter for barking, separation distress, and other anxious behaviors.
Signs & Symptoms
The term “separation anxiety” is used to describe the panic response some dogs experience when they’re separated from their caregiver.
Symptoms often begin well before you actually leave, as many dogs learn to identify pre-departure cues, like putting on your shoes or grabbing your keys. These cues can kick off the cycle of anxiety, with symptoms worsening up to and past the point of your departure.
Separation anxiety looks different in every dog. However, some of the most common signs of separation-related anxiety include:
- Urinating or defecating in the house or crate
- Decreased or no appetite, even treats
- Pacing and panting, especially by the door
- Trying to escape the house or crate
- Whimpering, howling, barking, or crying
- Destructive chewing
- Overexcitement and high arousal when reuniting with caregiver
Only a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist can diagnose your dog with separation anxiety. Even if your pup’s symptoms seem obvious, it’s important to consult a professional to rule out conditions that may outwardly appear similar but ultimately require a different form of treatment.
Separation anxiety vs separation distress
Lots of pet parents confuse separation anxiety with separation distress. According to Heather Antos, a licensed veterinary technician and canine behavior expert council member at Dogtopia, separation distress is a mild emotional response to being left alone.
While dogs experiencing separation distress may appear unsettled for a short period, they usually regulate themselves and relax eventually, notes Antos. Dogs with separation anxiety, on the other hand, may exhibit a more prolonged and heightened response.
Separation anxiety is also often linked to the absence of a specific person, while dogs with separation distress may be soothed by the presence of any human.
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What Causes Separation Anxiety in Dogs?
Separation anxiety occurs when a dog becomes overly stressed or panicked when left alone, or when separated from a family member they have a strong emotional connection to. Antos notes that it can also happen when a dog’s routine or environment suddenly changes or deviates from what they’re comfortable with.
Research suggests that certain genetic or environmental factors may also play a role, including:
- Not learning to be comfortable alone at an early age
- Breed-related predisposition to anxious or hyperactive behavior
- Living in a single-person versus a multi-person household
- Prior traumatic experience associated with being alone
- Noise phobia (loud sounds happening while alone)
Early separation from litter mates
There’s some debate as to whether early separation from litter mates increases a puppy’s risk for developing separation anxiety, but there’s no conclusive evidence to support this hypothesis.
Some outdated studies found higher instances of separation anxiety in dogs who were previously abandoned or relinquished, but more research is needed to establish a clear correlation.
Unethical breeding practices
Unethical breeding practices could negatively impact neurological development and predispose puppies to long-term behavioral concerns. For example, poor conditions in puppy mills and mass breeding operations can deprive puppies of early socialization.
Female dogs in these environments also often suffer chronic stress, which results in elevated cortisol levels that can affect unborn puppies. Plus, these operations are notorious for skimping on genetic testing that might otherwise eliminate anxiety-prone genetics from the breeding pool.
Breeds prone to separation anxiety
While separation anxiety can affect any dog, Antos notes that certain breeds may be more susceptible because they thrive on close companionship and were bred to form strong human-animal bonds. High-energy and working breeds may also exhibit anxious behavior when left alone due to boredom or lack of mental stimulation.
Examples of breeds that may be more prone to separation anxiety include:
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- German Shepherd Dog
- Australian Shepherd
- Border Collie
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Bichon Frise
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Toy Poodle
- Jack Russell Terrier
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How To Get Help
The best way to manage separation anxiety in dogs is to use positive reinforcement training to gradually desensitize your dog to being alone.
Helping your dog with separation anxiety can be a long road, but you don’t have to go it alone. A qualified professional, such as a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, certified separation anxiety trainer (CSAT), or veterinarian, can help.
Antos recommends seeking out a professional who is experienced in working with anxiety-driven behaviors. A behaviorist or trainer will typically evaluate your dog to assess the severity of their symptoms and identify triggers, then work with you to develop a training plan.
They might also provide tips for enrichment and exercise to help alleviate your dog’s boredom or stress.
Separation Anxiety FAQ
What if I come home to a mess and a very excited/anxious dog?
As challenging as it may be, don’t make a big deal of the mess. Don’t scold or punish your dog. Keep calm as you clean up or go about your normal routine without ignoring your dog or reacting to their behavior.
Remember, anxious behaviors aren’t the result of disobedience or spite. They’re your dog’s way of dealing with stress. Punishing your dog for something they can’t help only makes matters worse. Training is crucial, but you may also need to do some dog-proofing to protect your belongings (and keep your dog safe) in the meantime.
Will separation anxiety go away on its own?
No, separation anxiety will generally get worse, not better, if left untreated. Since separation anxiety is your dog having a panic response, leaving them to “cry it out” and deal with it on their own can cause long-term distress.
Does getting another dog help with separation anxiety?
Not necessarily. Because separation anxiety is often linked to a specific person, Antos says, getting another dog doesn’t always help. It isn’t a simple case of loneliness that can be cured with companionship. It’s a state of severe stress that often kicks off with the disappearance of the dog’s caretaker.
Getting a second dog could also complicate the situation. The new dog could learn to mirror anxious behaviors, leaving you with two panicked pups instead of one.
What tools or toys should I get to help with my dog’s anxiety?
There’s no substitute for careful training, but certain tools and toys may help to distract your dog during departures or provide a constructive outlet for their anxiety. Common examples include treat-dispensing puzzle toys and lick mats. Some dogs also respond well to pheromone-infused collars, calming supplements, or anxiety wraps like ThunderShirts.
Use caution with pet cameras that allow you to talk to your dog. Dogs with separation anxiety may be induced to panic if they can hear but not see you.
Does my dog need anti-anxiety medication?
Only a vet or vet behaviorist can determine whether anti-anxiety meds are appropriate for your dog. Schedule a consultation and provide as much detail about your dog’s behavior as possible (and what you’ve tried so far). Video recordings can be particularly helpful to show the level of severity of your pup’s separation anxiety.
