Home Alone: What to Know About Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety

Does your dog freak out when you head for the door? Here’s some advice.

Updated 20 November 2023

Obviously, all we ever want to do is stay home cuddling our perfect pups. But sometimes, life gets in the way, and we have to leave our pets behind for pesky things like work, grocery runs, the latest Hunger Games movie, or (cover your dog’s eyes) canine-free travel. And as hard as it is for us to leave those puppy eyes at the door, it can be even harder for our pets — particularly those who suffer from separation anxiety. The Wildest asked Dr. Valli Parthasarathy, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and co-founder of Synergy Behavior Solutions, what to do if your pup shows any signs of this condition.

First things first: What is separation anxiety in dogs?

In a nutshell, separation anxiety occurs when a dog experiences fear or panic when they’re left alone. Sometimes it’s triggered by a specific person leaving the house; other times it happens when anyone leaves. Common signs of separation anxiety include barking, panting, drooling, destroying furniture, peeing or pooping in the house, pacing, or an inability to settle down. So, all the bad things.

Dr. Valli (she prefers to go by her first name) says it’s important to understand a dog’s state of mind: “It’s a situation where a dog is experiencing significant and repeated emotional distress. They’re not trying to ‘get back’ at their people, and they’re not acting out. They have been separated from their social group, and they’re anxious or stressed about it.” In other words, it’s not their fault, and it’s up to you to help them manage it.

What are the causes of separation anxiety in dogs?

It’s hard to know the exact causes of separation anxiety in dogs, but it usually has to do with major life changes. For example, a change in ownership (like if your pup was rescued or adopted) or a change in their environment (i.e., you moved from one house to another). Another stressor could be the sudden absence of a pet parent, whether from a divorce or a death in the family. Loneliness, boredom, and old age can also cause separation anxiety in dogs.

What are the different types of separation anxiety in dogs?

There aren’t specific types of separation anxiety in dogs. But research shows that there are four underlying frustrations that could be causing your dog anxiety. The four main forms of distress are: wanting to get to something outside, wanting to get away from something in the house, reacting to outside events or noises, and severe boredom. The researchers note that getting to the root of the problem can help you treat your dog more effectively.

Now this is stressing me out. How do I help my dog?

The best-case scenario, at least if you ask your dog, is for you to literally never leave the house without them again. (But they might say that even if they don’t have separation anxiety.) The next best thing is to figure out if your dog is showing any signs of the disorder, and then try to address them while you’re still able to spend time at home.

Start by paying attention to how your dog acts when you’re getting ready to leave the house. According to Dr. Valli, signs to look for include pacing, panting, pulling their ears back, following you around, hiding, and — the ultimate sign that something is wrong — refusing treats. Also, check to see if your dog seems panicked when you close a door between you and them or leave the house briefly to take out the garbage. These are all signs of distress.

If you can’t tell if your dog is acting fearful or anxious, a little spying can come in handy. Try leaving your pup home for very short periods while watching them through a webcam to see how they react while you’re out. Not only can you get a good look at their behavior, you may also be able to tell if there are any other triggers (loud noises, Amazon drivers dropping off yet another package at the door) contributing to the problem. If your dog is truly miserable being home alone for more than just a few hours, doggie daycare could be a godsend. There, your pup can socialize with people and other pets, while getting in their daily exercise to boot. Win-win.

What can I do to relieve anxiety (mine and my dogs)?

Separation anxiety is tough — for both of you. Your dog is upset, and you’re upset that your dog is upset. It’s all...very upsetting. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to train your pup to be more comfortable with being left alone.

Establish a routine.

Dogs are big fans of routines. They help them understand what you expect of them and what they can expect from their day. Set a morning schedule for activities such as feeding, potty breaks, and playtime or walks. This allows your dog to predict when they’ll receive your attention and when they’re on their own. They still might not want you to leave the house, but at least they won’t be blindsided when they see you reach for the car keys.

Make sure your dog has a safe and comfortable space.

Everyone loves a cozy nap spot, and dogs are no exception. Create a comfortable, safe place where your dog can chill. Maybe it’s a crate. Maybe it’s a back room of the house. Or — let’s be honest — it might be smack dab in the middle of your bed.

Start training your dog to go to this happy place whenever it’s time to settle down. You can even turn on some music or leave a piece of clothing with your scent on it to help your dog feel at ease. The goal is for your dog to create a positive association with this spot and get used to being there by themselves, even when you’re in the house. Then when you start to leave, they know they have a place they can go to feel safe and relaxed. One word of caution: Some dogs who experience severe separation anxiety can panic and attempt to break free from crates — and hurt themselves in the process. So, be sure your dog is comfortable being confined before leaving them alone in a crate.

Make departures as low-key as possible.

Try not to draw attention to the fact that you’re getting ready to leave. If you can, have your dog settle in their happy place while you finish getting ready. And avoid dramatic goodbyes (even though you probably need a hug yourself before heading to work). When it’s time to go, give your dog a long-lasting treat (frozen peanut butter-stuffed Kongs work great) that will keep them occupied long after you leave the house.

Ease your dog into the situation.

Avoid leaving your pup for long stretches right out the gate. Start by leaving them alone for just a couple of minutes, then slowly (very, very slowly) start to increase the time you’re gone. This gradual transition will help your dog get used to being left alone and learn that, even though you leave, you always come back home to them.

Can separation anxiety in dogs be treated?

Yes, your dog can overcome separation anxiety with some help from you. In addition to taking the steps above, you could try giving your pup medication. There are some new medications on the market that have been approved to treat separation anxiety anxiety in dogs. Talk to your vet to find out if anti-anxiety meds make sense for your dog.

How do I prevent separation anxiety from developing in the first place?

The best way to prevent separation anxiety is to train them from a young age, during puppyhood. Here are some preventative tips for separation anxiety in dogs:

Meet your dog’s needs.

Make sure your pup has everything they need — physically, socially, and emotionally — so they don’t freak out when you leave the house.

Avoid smothering your dog.

When you’re home with your pup, don’t fuss over them too much. Give them some space. Constant attention will make it harder for your pup when you leave.

Give your pup a treat.

Offer your dog a toy, such as a food puzzle, to work on while you’re gone. It will keep them occupied and lessen their fear about being left alone.

Play calming music.

It might sound silly but playing your dog some chill tunes, like classical music, may help keep them calm when you’re gone all day.

When do I need to bring in the pros?

The sooner, the better. And while it may seem like a trainer is the best person to reach out to first, Dr. Valli recommends starting with a veterinarian. “There are medical causes that can result in signs similar to separation anxiety. A veterinarian will be able to examine your dog and rule out other reasons for your dog’s behavior.” If needed, a behavior-knowledgeable veterinarian will be able to prescribe dog anxiety medication that can calm your pup when home alone. An alternative to medication is CBD oil (in the form of a tincture or treats), which is naturally soothing and stimulates production of the mood enhancer serotonin.

While your veterinarian can treat any underlying medical issues, a certified trainer or behaviorist can help come up with a plan to teach your dog that being alone doesn’t have to be scary. The recommendations will vary depending on your pet, but if you do use a trainer, be sure to do some research upfront. “There’s no licensing or regulatory oversight, so anyone can call themselves a trainer,” Dr. Valli cautions. “It’s important to research the methodology that the trainer will use and their familiarity with addressing separation anxiety.”

Disclaimer alert: This article is here to share information. But, much like pineapple on pizza, the topic may be controversial. Meaning, not all vets or pet professionals agree. Because every pet is a unique weirdo with specific needs. So, don’t take this as fact or medical advice. Talk things over with your vet when making decisions, and use your best judgment (about both your pet’s health and pizza toppings).

FAQ (People also ask):

1) How long does it take to see improvement in a dog’s separation anxiety?

It depends. Every dog and every situation is different so it's hard to say how long it will take to see improvement in your dog's separation anxiety.

2) What are some home remedies for separation anxiety?

Some home remedies for separation anxiety include playing your dog soothing music while you're gone or using a plug-in diffuser, such as Adaptil.

Resources

Kate Sheofsky

Kate Sheofsky hails from San Francisco, where she developed a love of writing, Giants baseball, and houses she can’t afford. She currently lives in Portland, OR, and works as a freelance writer and content strategist. When not typing away on her laptop, she enjoys tooling around the city with her two rescue pups searching for tasty food and sunny patios.