Got questions about dog separation anxiety?

Here are the answers to the most common concerns to help you and your dog on the path to a calmer, happier life.

What causes separation anxiety in dogs?

Various factors can trigger separation anxiety in dogs, including a scary experience they underwent while alone (like a burglary, fire alarm, or noisy construction), relocating to a new home, being re-homed, losing a family member, experiencing a traumatic event (such as a car accident or a dog attack), or enduring frequent and prolonged absences from her owners. 

Also, dogs can be genetically predisposed to separation related issues as well as dogs developing separation anxiety due to medical issues (for example pain/ discomfort)and cognitive dysfunction (in older dogs).

What is Separation Anxiety and what are the common signs?

Separation anxiety is part of a larger group of problem behaviours that we refer to as separation-related behaviours. By definition, separation-related behaviours are behaviours that only happen when the owner isn't at home. Or if they do happen at other times, they are displayed with greater intensity and duration and/or out of context when the owner isn't there 

Typical signs of separation anxiety include behaviours such as excessive vocalisation (barking, howling, whining, crying), soiling the house (when the dog is otherwise toilet trained), excessive chewing often focused around entrances doors, floors, walls, windows) and panicked attempts to escape all the way to less obvious behaviours such as the dog hiding, getting anxious when you get ready to leave, low level whining and howling, trembling, excessive yawning, licking, drooling, panting and more.

All of those behaviours are stress signals and whereas some of these can also be attributed to being bored or frustrated, the fact is that your dog is not coping when home alone which means your dog needs help, whatever the underlying emotion may be. 

Is it separation anxiety or boredom?

This is one of the most common questions I get asked. The truth is that sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference.

Dogs who are bored or frustrated when left alone may bark, chew things, dig, or get up to mischief. However, these dogs generally stop after a while, settle down or move on to something else.

Dogs with separation anxiety tend to persist. Their behaviour is driven by panic, fear or distress rather than simply having nothing to do. You may notice pacing, panting, trembling, vocalising, drooling, destruction around doors and windows, or an inability to settle at all while you're away.

That said, whether the underlying emotion is anxiety, frustration or boredom, your dog is still telling you that they are struggling to cope when home alone. If you're unsure which one you're dealing with, recording your dog when you're out can provide valuable clues.

How can I prevent separation anxiety in my dog?

For puppies, a little absence training from the start as part of your socialisation and habituation efforts is key. Establish a routine that includes alone time (with you at home and out of the home). For older or rescue dogs, systematic desensitisation to being home alone is important. Know what your dog can easily handle and gradually increase the time. 

How long does separation anxiety training take?

Each dog is unique, and the duration of recovery varies significantly. It's common for it to extend over several months, but it's crucial to recognise that separation anxiety is a phobia, and altering a dog's emotional response requires patience and time.

Why does my dog destroy things when I leave?

When your dog destroys things when you leave, it can be a sign of separation anxiety or boredom/ frustration. Dogs with separation anxiety experience intense stress when left alone, which can manifest in destructive behaviours like chewing, digging, or tearing objects apart as a way to cope with their panic. On the other hand, if your dog doesn’t have enough mental or physical stimulation, they may destroy items simply because they’re bored and looking for something to do. To address this, it’s essential to determine the root cause first.

Does crate training help separation anxiety?

Usually not. A crate can be a wonderful management tool for some dogs and many dogs genuinely enjoy resting in their crate. However, crate training does not treat separation anxiety.

For many dogs with separation anxiety, confinement can actually make things harder. If your dog is already worried about being left alone, being confined to a small space may add another layer of stress.

The important question isn't whether your dog is crate trained. It's whether your dog feels safe when you're gone. Every dog is an individual, which is why I assess each case holistically and help clients determine the set-up in which their dog feels most comfortable and secure.

Why does my dog bark when left alone and how do I stop it?

To stop your dog from barking when left alone, it’s important to uncover and address the root cause of the behaviour. If the barking stems from separation anxiety, your dog isn’t barking out of defiance but rather fear and distress. if your dog is barking because they are bored or frustrated, ensure your dog’s physical and mental needs are met through regular exercise and enrichment activities like puzzle toys, which can keep them occupied and calm while you’re away.

How do I know if it will work for my dog?

The simple answer is, you won’t know until you’ve tried. There are never guaranteed results when it comes to dog behaviour modification. That said, I apply a holistic approach looking at all aspects of your dog’s day to day and the method I use (gradual exposure) is based in science of how to change a dog’s emotion and has helped thousands of dogs overcome the fear of being home alone. 

Can a dog grow out of separation anxiety?

Unfortunately, separation anxiety is not something dogs typically grow out of. In fact, many dogs become more sensitive over time if the underlying fear is not addressed.

The good news is that separation anxiety can be improved significantly with the right approach. Through gradual exposure training, management and, where appropriate, veterinary support, dogs can learn that being home alone is safe.

Every dog is different, and progress varies from dog to dog, but with patience, consistency and the right plan in place, many dogs go on to live happy, relaxed lives when left home alone.

Does getting another dog help my dog overcome their fear of being home alone?

It depends, as with most things in life, but usually it actually won’t help and here are a couple of things to consider: your dog’s anxiety comes from being separated from you, the human, not just from being home alone. So while another dog might make your dog less lonely, it’s not likely to cure your dog’s anxiety when you’re away. Also your current dog’s anxiety when you are not around may rub off on your second dog and then you have a double-trouble kind of situation.

Why did my dog's separation anxiety suddenly start?

Many owners tell me their dog's separation anxiety seemed to appear overnight. Sometimes that's true. More often, there is an underlying trigger that isn't immediately obvious.

Common causes include moving house, changes in routine, being rehomed, losing a family member, a frightening experience while home alone, changes in the household, illness, pain or discomfort, hormonal changes, and age-related cognitive changes.

I've also worked with many dogs whose separation anxiety improved significantly once underlying physical discomfort was identified and addressed. This is one of the reasons I always recommend looking at the whole dog, not just the behaviour.

If your dog has suddenly started struggling when home alone, it is worth considering both behavioural and medical factors rather than assuming they are simply being difficult or stubborn.

How does the process work?

You can start with booking a initial FREE 15 minute Zoom chat with me (CLICK HERE) to go over your dog’s situation. Or if you prefer, send me a WhatsApp message, CLICK HERE.

From there, I can talk you through how it all works and together we can figure out whether it is a good fit for you and your dog. 

What will I need for the separation anxiety training programme?

A device (computer, laptop, iPad, mobile phone) to access video calls with (Zoom, Teams, etc) and a camera to monitor your dog with when you train. That’s it. And if needed, I’m happy to help with finding and setting up the right camera with you. 

What is your service area?

Wherever you are in the world; as long as you can speak English or German, we can train together. 

How is your separation anxiety training different from others?

The method I employ is based in science, presenting a straightforward and accessible plan accompanied by ample support and encouragement to guide you every step of the way. My experience gathered from many years of working with dog training and behaviour puts me in a perfect position to offer a holistic approach, considering all aspects of your dog’s life and how this may impact on their separation anxiety. 

We are 100% in this together!

Do you have payment plans available?

Yes and please get in touch for further information on my payment plans.

Why is the training done remotely and why don’t you need to see my dog in-person?

Having a trainer in your home, whether that’s for the initial assessment or during other training times, will impact on your dog’s actual real-life behaviour and won’t enable us to realistically assess what’s going on. Plus, you need to work on this every day and not only when your trainer pops round. 

My remote training programmes allow me to be there for you every day, guiding you along the training journey and turning you into the expert for your dog.  

If you want to know more….