Signs of separation anxiety in dogs, and what to do first
How to tell separation distress from boredom, why a short video is the best evidence, and the first three steps to take.
What separation anxiety looks like
Separation-related distress is a panic response to being left alone, or to being apart from one particular person. It is not spite and it is not “getting back at you.” Common signs, usually starting within the first minutes of being alone:
- barking, whining or howling that keeps going;
- pacing, panting or drooling;
- scratching or chewing at doors, door frames and windows (exit points);
- toileting indoors in a dog who is otherwise house-trained;
- not eating food or chews left for them until you come back;
- following you closely from room to room, and getting worried as you get ready to leave.
Some dogs are fine with anyone at home and only panic when completely alone. This is sometimes called isolation distress. The training approach is the same.
Separation anxiety or something else?
Other things can look similar:
- Boredom or under-exercise: chewing tends to be on random objects, not exits, and often starts later in the absence.
- Noise sensitivity: barking happens at outside sounds, whether you are home or not.
- Incomplete house-training, or a medical problem such as a urinary issue.
- Pain or age-related changes, which can make any dog more anxious.
This is why a vet visit comes first: your veterinarian can rule out medical causes and discuss whether medication may help. Medication is a decision for your veterinarian.
The best evidence: film it
Set up a phone, tablet or laptop to record (or live-stream to your phone) and leave as you normally would for 15 to 30 minutes, or less if your dog is likely to become very distressed. Watch:
- When does the distress start? Right away, or after a while?
- What does it look like? Lying down and resting is great. Pacing, whining and barking are not.
- Does it settle, or build?
A video is also hugely useful for your vet or a behavior professional.
Three things to do now
- Book a vet check and bring the video.
- Avoid leaving your dog alone past their limit where you possibly can. Friends, family, sitters, daycare that suits your dog, or bringing your dog along can cover the gaps. Each panic episode can make the next one worse.
- Start gradual absence training at a length your dog finds easy. A separation anxiety training schedule walks through it.
A note on “just let them cry it out”
Leaving a panicking dog to get used to it is not recommended. For a truly anxious dog it tends to make the fear stronger. Training works by keeping absences short enough that your dog never panics, then growing them slowly.
Unwoofled uses reward-based methods only. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) 2021 position statement on humane dog training recommends reward-based training and advises against aversive and punishment-based methods, because they can increase fear, stress and aggression.
Track it so you can see it working
Progress with a worried dog is slow and easy to miss. Writing down the distance, the reaction and how fast your dog recovered shows you the trend. Start on paper with thefree printable threshold log (PDF), or use the Unwoofled app: it logs a walk in three taps and adjusts the plan with clear rules.
- Coming soon to App Store
- Coming soon to Google Play
This article is training education, not veterinary advice. Medication is a decision for your veterinarian.