Separation anxiety in dogs is distress that shows up when a dog is apart from the person it’s attached to. Barking the neighbours can hear, chewed doors, accidents inside, pacing and frantic attempts to get out are common signs. It isn’t spite, and it isn’t simply a gap in training.
Key Takeaways
– Separation anxiety is distress when a dog is apart from the person it’s attached to.
– Barking, damage, toileting inside, pacing and escape attempts are common signs.
– Build alone time in small steps and keep departures and returns low-key.
– Food toys mainly help mild cases.
– Medication is your vet’s decision, so start with your vet.
What does separation anxiety in dogs look like?
It looks like distress tied to your absence. RSPCA Australia describes it as distress when a dog is separated from an owner, family group or sometimes another animal it’s attached to, and lists toileting in the house, destructiveness, excessive barking, digging or pacing and attempting to escape among the signs (RSPCA Australia).
It’s upsetting to come home to, but your dog isn’t trying to get back at you.
Is it separation anxiety, boredom or frustration?
The signs overlap, and there’s no simple home test. A bored or frustrated dog can chew, dig and bark too. Roughly, a bored dog is looking for something to do, while an anxious dog looks upset about being without you. These questions can help you and your vet tell them apart:
- Does it happen mainly when you’re out, or also when you’re home but busy?
- Does your dog get unsettled while you get ready to leave?
- Is the damage around doors, windows and gates, or spread around the house and yard?
- Does your dog eat a food toy while you’re out, or leave it untouched?
A short video of the first stretch after you leave will tell you more than the mess afterwards. If your dog is toileting inside, your vet can check whether a health issue is involved.
Canine Services International is a dog training and dog behaviour business in Boronia, Melbourne’s east, led by Brad Griggs, canine behaviour specialist. It works with anxious, reactive and aggressive dogs, including dogs other trainers and vets couldn’t help, as well as everyday puppies and pet dogs. Training is offered at an indoor facility, one-on-one, in small groups and online.
Why does dog separation anxiety happen?
Dogs are social animals that form strong attachments, and some find time apart from their people hard to cope with. RSPCA Australia says dogs are “highly social animals who generally prefer to live in groups” and that many “can become anxious when separated from their human family” (RSPCA Australia).
There’s rarely one neat cause. A dog that’s had company most of the day, then suddenly spends long days alone when you go back to the office, hasn’t had much practice at being on its own. A house move or a change in who lives at home may play a part, though often you can’t pin down why.
It also isn’t simply a training problem. The veterinary behaviour chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists says complex problems such as maladaptive fears and anxiety “are not due to lack of training” and can reflect an underlying medical diagnosis that needs management and treatment (ANZCVS).
What does a realistic plan for separation anxiety look like?
A realistic plan teaches your dog to feel calmer when you’re gone, one small step at a time. RSPCA Australia describes the goal as teaching the dog “how to be calm and relaxed when the person to whom the dog is attached is absent”, through changes to leaving and returning routines, gradual practice at being alone and changes to the dog’s environment (RSPCA Australia).
That fits how Canine Services International looks at behaviour: “Most problems are not solved by suppressing them. We build the dog underneath, so it can feel and act differently.” Start with a vet check (more on that below), then work through the steps.
Keep leaving and coming home low-key
RSPCA Australia suggests trying to ignore your dog for 15 to 30 minutes before you leave. When you get back, greet your dog softly, calmly and quietly, and give attention once your dog is calm and quiet.
Make your departure cues boring
Many dogs learn the signs that you’re about to go: keys, shoes, a work bag. RSPCA Australia suggests breaking the link between those cues and actually leaving. Pick up your keys, then sit down and watch TV. Put your shoes on and make a cup of tea. Over time the cues stop meaning much.
Build alone time in small steps
RSPCA Australia describes a very gradual process where “the owner gradually increases the time away”. Start below the point where your dog gets distressed.
- Start with an absence your dog handles calmly. For some dogs, that’s stepping outside the front door and straight back in.
- Add time slowly. If your dog gets distressed, drop back to the last step that went well.
- Keep a simple log of what you practised and how your dog coped.
If your dog copes with a few minutes but you’re out for a full workday, those long absences may set progress back. That’s why covering the gaps matters.
Give your dog things to do
RSPCA Australia calls physical and mental stimulation “a vital part of managing anxiety”. Its suggestions include exercise before you leave, hiding food so your dog has to find it, safe chew items, and games like fetch or tug before you go. Keeping walks, meals and leaving times fairly steady gives the day a predictable shape.
A long-lasting food toy given as you leave can help too. RSPCA Australia notes it usually helps in mild cases, though, because highly anxious dogs often won’t eat when their owners aren’t home.
Cover the gaps while you train
RSPCA Australia suggests asking friends or family to keep your dog company some of the time, organising a reputable dog walker in the middle of the day, or looking into reputable doggy day care. Any of these cuts the time your dog spends alone before it’s ready.
Thinking about a crate? Treat it as a training tool rather than a solution. RSPCA Victoria advises crating for short periods of time to aid training or create a safe space, and says crate training shouldn’t take the place of exercise and enrichment (RSPCA Victoria). There’s more in Crate Training a Puppy: The First Two Weeks.
Managing the barking and the neighbours
Barking is often what neighbours notice first, so talk to them early. Let them know you’re working on it, and ask when they hear barking and for how long. That tells you how soon after you leave the distress starts. If a complaint has already gone to your council, contact the council about your own situation.
What should you avoid with a dog that has separation anxiety?
Avoid anything that adds stress around your comings and goings. RSPCA Australia’s advice for coming home is to greet your dog softly, calmly and quietly (RSPCA Australia). Coming home to damage is upsetting, but reacting to it after the fact may not tell your dog how to cope next time, so put the energy into the plan instead.
Also steer clear of:
- Jumping to long absences before your dog copes with short ones.
- Long stretches shut away while distressed. RSPCA Victoria doesn’t recommend leaving a dog for long periods in a fabric crate unless you’re certain it will be happy and calm inside.
- Giving your dog any medication without your vet’s advice.
Why should your vet be involved?
Your vet can check whether anything health-related is involved, and medication is a vet’s decision. RSPCA Australia advises owners to consult their vet, who can help directly or may refer them to a behavioural specialist (RSPCA Australia).
For severe cases, such as a dog that seriously injures itself, RSPCA Australia says vets may suggest a combination of medication and behavioural modification or training, and that owners should discuss this directly with their vet. Training sits alongside that plan.
Behaviour vets are another option. The ANZCVS veterinary behaviour chapter says its behaviour veterinarians can diagnose and formulate a treatment plan for animals with mental health disorders. Ask your vet whether a referral makes sense, and bring notes and any video to the appointment.
When to get professional help
Get help if the neighbours are complaining or if any of these sound like your dog:
- Your dog is injuring itself on doors, windows, fences or a crate.
- Distress starts as soon as you reach for your keys, and it’s getting worse.
- You can’t leave the house at all without barking, damage or toileting.
- You’ve followed a gradual plan and progress has stalled.
If your dog is injuring itself trying to get out, stop practising longer absences and call your vet. After that, a behaviour professional can help you build a plan around your dog and your week. Canine Services International puts it plainly: “No magic equipment. No overnight fix. We teach you the work and how to keep applying it.” See the full range of training and behaviour services or the answers to common questions. To talk through your dog’s situation, book a call with the team or phone 0483 983 647.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can separation anxiety in dogs be cured?
Cured is a big word: the realistic aim is helping your dog cope with being alone, and there’s no overnight fix. RSPCA Australia describes the goal as teaching the dog to be calm and relaxed when the person it’s attached to is absent. That means gradual practice, a steady routine and your vet’s input, plus medication in severe cases if your vet decides it’s needed.
Will a food toy fix separation anxiety?
A food toy can help in milder cases, but it isn’t a fix on its own. RSPCA Australia suggests a stuffed toy that takes at least 20 to 30 minutes to eat, given as you leave and picked up when you return. It notes this approach usually helps in mild cases, because highly anxious dogs often won’t eat when their owners aren’t home.
Does my dog need medication for separation anxiety?
That’s a decision for your vet. RSPCA Australia says that in severe cases, such as a dog that seriously injures itself, vets may suggest medication combined with behavioural modification or training. Your vet can assess your dog, check for any health causes and refer you to a behavioural specialist if needed. Don’t give your dog any medication without your vet’s advice.
How long can I leave a dog with separation anxiety alone?
It depends on your dog, so start from what your dog handles calmly and build up gradually. While you train, try to cover longer absences: RSPCA Australia suggests company from friends or family, a reputable dog walker in the middle of the day, or a reputable doggy day care. Your vet or a behaviour professional can help you set realistic steps.