Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Causes, Treatment & Advice

To thrive, a dog needs companionship, whether human, canine or otherwise. Without it, dogs may show signs of anxiety, including harmful or destructive behaviours when left alone. People commonly refer to this as separation anxiety in dogs or separation-related behaviour (SRB).

Research from the University of Bristol Animal Behaviour Clinic suggests that "between 13% and 20% of dog owners recognised that their dogs showed signs of SRBs".

In this guide, we hope to help you recognise potential signs of separation anxiety in dogs and treat separation-related behaviours effectively and safely.

Contents:

1. Signs of Dog Separation Anxity
2. Causes of Separation Anxiety in Dogs
3. Does My Dog Have Separation Anxiety?
4. How is Separation Anxiety in Dogs Treated?
5. How to Prevent Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Dog Separation Anxiety Symptoms

There is some crossover between the signs of generalised anxiety in dogs and separation anxiety. For your dog's symptoms to be associated with separation anxiety, they should mostly occur when your dog has been left alone or is without their preferred person. The most common symptoms include:

• Vocalisations (e.g. whining, barking, whimpering, howling)
• Bathroom accidents indoors
• Destructive behaviours (e.g. chewing, digging, scratching floors or doors, destroying furniture)
• Repetitive motions (e.g. Pacing, circling)
• Self-harming behaviours (e.g. overgrooming/chewing paws and tail)

Other signs of separation anxiety in dogs can be noticed even when you're home as your dog becomes stressed about you leaving. These can include:

• Following you from room to room.
• Excessive excitement when you return home.
• Refusal to go to designated places (especially at bedtime)

Remember that these lists do not include all possible symptoms of dog separation anxiety and should not be used to diagnose the condition. If you think your dog may be experiencing separation anxiety, speak with your vet for a professional diagnosis.

What Causes Dog Separation Anxiety?

While you may think separation anxiety is caused simply by leaving your dog alone, there are actually a number of potential causes that can trigger the anxiety symptoms mentioned above.

The most common causes of separation anxiety in dogs are:

• Boredom—Lack of enrichment, exercise, playtime and toys can lead to boredom, which can be stressful for dogs when left alone.
• Trauma—Dogs who have previously been abandoned, surrendered, have lost family members/pets, or have had a stressful event (such as illness, surgery, injury, etc.) may suffer from separation anxiety.
• Changes in their routine and/or environment—Dogs like predictability, and changes to their normal routine can cause separation anxiety (e.g. Boarding kennels, moving home, divorce, death in the family, and more.
• Fear— Dogs can sometimes associate an event or situation with a bad feeling, such as fear, which then develops into a phobia (e.g. Loud noises)
• Lack of socialisation—Dogs that haven't been properly socialised or trained as puppies can experience separation anxiety as they've not been taught it's okay to be alone.
• Genetic factors—Some dogs are more prone to separation anxiety due to genetics, such as their breed or if they had a parent who also struggled with anxiety.

Dog Breeds Prone to Separation Anxiety

It's important to remember that any dog, regardless of breed, can suffer from separation anxiety. However, some dog breeds may be more prone to separation anxiety because of their temperament and instincts.

Some dog breeds prone to separation anxiety include:

• Companion breeds (e.g. Cavaliers, Bichon Frises, Toy Poodles, and more) were bred to be near people constantly, so they may struggle with being alone.
• High-energy breeds (e.g., Jack Russell Terriers, Australian Shepherds, German Shepherds, Vizlas) may develop separation anxiety due to boredom, resulting in destructive or self-harming behaviours.
• Intelligent breeds (e.g. Border Collies, Poodles, Schnauzers) may become frustrated if left alone without stimulation, leading to destructive behaviours.

Remember, just because a dog breed is prone to separation anxiety doesn't mean they will definitely develop the condition. You will just need to make the necessary adjustments to your training and socialisation routines to ensure they feel safe, content and stimulated when alone

Does My Dog Have Separation Anxiety?

Separation anxiety in dogs can only be officially diagnosed by a professional, such as a vet or qualified dog behaviourist. They will consider your dog's symptoms and assess whether their behaviour fits the criteria for separation anxiety.

Some of the symptoms associated with dog separation anxiety may also have another cause, and when it comes to solving these issues, it's essential to find the root cause. Before starting any treatment or changes, consider if your dog might fit into any of the following:

Puppy problems—Puppies are naturally lively and can cause damage. They are inquisitive and tend to gnaw on objects, but they can overcome these habits with appropriate guidance and diversion.

Incomplete house training—If your dog isn't as thoroughly housebroken as you believed, they might have a mishap indoors, particularly if they're left unattended for extended periods without the ability to go outside.

Scent marking—This territorial behaviour is most common in unmatured males and tends to cease once neutered.

Loud breeds — Some dogs are naturally more vocal than others, such as Dachshunds, Shih Tzus, Beagles, Huskies, and numerous terrier types.

Before you take your dog to see a professional, make sure you observe their behaviour and have examples to share. Your vet will then be able to discern if your dog has separation anxiety or if other factors may be at play. Together, you can then make a comprehensive plan to manage your dog's unique needs and triggers.

Will Dog Separation Anxiety Go Away On Its Own?

Dog separation anxiety is unlikely to go away on its own. Instead, you will need to take a proactive approach to managing your dog's anxiety and help relieve their symptoms, some of which may not even be anxiety-related.

Will Getting Another Dog Help My Dog's Separation Anxiety?

Getting a second dog will unlikely solve your current dog's separation anxiety. Your dog is missing you, and another dog won't change that. Adding another pet to your household is stressful for both animals involved and may worsen matters.

That said, dogs who struggle with loneliness after losing another pet may benefit from introducing a new furry friend. However, you should always think carefully before getting a second pet, as you'll be responsible for both of them. If introducing a new friend doesn't solve your dog's problems, you're back at square one with another dog to worry about and care for.

Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Separation anxiety can be incredibly distressing for your dog and often leads to additional problems if left untreated. This is why, sadly, behavioural problems, such as barking or destruction of furniture, are one of the most common reasons why owners surrender their dogs to shelters.

While some owners may not recognise these signs as anxiety, being surrendered can amplify existing separation-related behaviours. But this doesn’t need to be the case. Once you find the root cause of your dog's separation anxiety and their triggers, you can start making proactive changes to help them feel safe and calm on their own.

How to Treat Mild Separation Anxiety

If your dog is struggling with mild separation anxiety, then there are several things you can do to help:

• Keep them entertained—using toys for dog separation anxiety can help distract your dog for short periods of time alone. Aim for mentally stimulating or challenging toys for your dog, such as a filled KONG Classic, to draw them in and help prevent boredom and destructive behaviours. Zylkene calming chews are also a great way to calm a dog and keep them entertained, containing natural ingredients known to keep dogs calm. Discover all Zylkene products.
• Follow a routine—Dogs find comfort in the predictable, so setting times for key events in their day (feeding, exercise, play, naps, etc.) can help them understand when they're having some alone time and
• Provide a safe space—Having a crate or a bed that your dog can go to when things are stressful gives them a place to feel safe when left alone.
• Calming Aids—Calmers like these YuMOVE® Calming Care One-a-Day treats can help your dog feel safe, especially in the early days of training them to be alone. Also, Thundershirt for dogs is a vet-recommended, natural calming shirt that helps to reduce anxiety in dogs by providing a 'weighted blanket' feel.

Some experts also recommend training for separation anxiety in dogs that work to desensitise them to certain triggers. These triggers are often things your dog has come to associate with being left, such as putting on shoes, shutting doors, and more.

Training provides mental stimulation for your dog and teaches them discipline, while rewards of tasty treats can help them instead associate triggers with good feelings.

Try to put some time aside each day to spend desensitising your dog to their triggers by:

• Performing the triggering action (such as putting on your shoes or closing the door with your dog on the other side)
• Wait a few minutes.
• Reward your dog for their good behaviour.
• Repeat.

From here, you can gradually increase the time your dog is left alone or exposed to its triggers until it is fully desensitised. Some dogs may respond faster to this training than others. Remember, your dog will find these triggers stressful, but with consistent training, high-value rewards, and plenty of fuss at the end of each session, you can help teach your dog not to be afraid or anxious about these events.

If you're having trouble training your dog, there's no shame in calling a professional dog trainer or behaviourist for help.

Crate Training for Dog Separation Anxiety at Night

Some dogs struggle more with anxiety at night while they're alone and everyone else is asleep. This can be a nightmare for owners who wake up to destroyed furniture, bathroom accidents, and more.

While crating your dog at night can lessen the symptoms of your dog's anxiety (preventing damage in the home or bathroom accidents), it doesn't treat the root cause of your dog's anxiety, which is being left alone. Being confined to a crate can also make your dog's anxiety worse. This is why you should never use their crate as a punishment.

Proper crate training should offer your dog a safe space to retreat to. If you want your dog to be crated at night, get them used to being in the crate during the day. By giving them time in the day to nap alone in their crate, you can slowly build up their time until they're content inside at night.

• To make this easier, try following these steps:
• Start with your dog's crate in your bedroom.
• Move your dog's crate outside your bedroom but within sight of you.
• Gradually move the crate further away until it is in the desired spot.

Make sure you reward your dog for their good behaviour at each stage and only move on when your dog is content to be alone in the crate.

How to Treat Severe Separation Anxiety in Dogs

For dogs with severe separation anxiety, treatment can be a time-consuming endeavour. However, it’s entirely worth it for you and your dog’s quality of life. Plus, it can help build a stronger bond between you and your dog as you work to improve these issues. You can do this by:

• Follow the same training regime as mentioned above for mild anxiety, but take a slower approach.
• Work with a professional dog behaviourist. You will be able to find a reputable one through your vet.
• Your vet may prescribe prescription anxiety treatments.
• Use a dog sitter or doggy daycare so your dog isn’t left alone in the house.

How to Avoid Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Separation anxiety can be prevented in dogs while they're puppies with a proper socialisation and training regime. This includes:

• Socialisation—Introducing your puppy to new people, places and other dogs early on.
• Exercise—This helps prevent boredom and can help prevent separation anxiety. Try wearing your puppy out before you leave so they sleep while you're gone.
• Safe Space—Give your puppy their own comfortable and cosy space so they can retreat and relax there.
• Desensitising—Introduce your puppy to potentially triggering sounds (barking, fireworks, building work, etc.) before they occur so your dog isn't shocked when they happen in real life.
• Mental stimulation and enrichment—This will tire your puppy out and help them work through stress or anxiety proactively. Mix it up with puzzle toys, long-lasting chews, obedience training, and more!
• Practice alone time—You can do this by either setting aside time in the day when your dog will be alone so they get used to it or gradually leaving your puppy in a room alone and rewarding good behaviour.

Puppies are energetic and often destructive little things that learn best with time and positive reinforcement. Never punish your puppy for something wrong or for not listening, as this can create a fearful response towards you, which can worsen things and even damage your bond with your dog.

If you are having trouble helping your dog with anxiety, calmers can make them feel safer. This can help during training. For example, the Beaphar CaniComfort® Calming Collar uses pheromone technology to help dogs feel secure and safe wherever they go, lasting up to a month.

Separation anxiety in dogs can be tricky to manage. Still, with a proactive and structured approach supported by your vet, you can help your dog become the confident and well-adjusted companion you always dreamed of.

If you're looking to help manage your dog's separation anxiety, or you're working to desensitize your new puppy, check out our great range of dog calmers. These clinically proven formulas can help your dog adjust much easier to changes in their routine or environment, which, combined with proper training and support, can help make separation anxiety a thing of the past!

This post is an opinion and should only be used as a guide. You should thoroughly discuss any change to your pet’s care or lifestyle with your vet before starting any program or treatment.