Dog with Separation Anxiety | Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Separation anxiety in dogs is a common behavioural problem in which a dog experiences extreme stress and panic when left alone. This condition can lead to destructive behaviour, excessive barking and other symptoms that are distressing for both the dog and the owner. In this article, we look at the causes, symptoms and treatment methods that make a real difference.

What is separation anxiety in dogs?

Separation anxiety is an emotional state in which dogs feel intense stress when separated from their owner. This goes beyond normal attachment and often has underlying causes such as a lack of a secure bond or previous traumatic experiences.

Main types of separation anxiety:

1. Separation distress: Panic when the owner is out of sight.
2. Attachment: The dog has an obsessive need for constant proximity to the owner. Behavioural research consistently links this kind of hyperattachment to separation anxiety [1].
3. Anxiety about being alone: Chronic stress, even in situations other than being alone.

Understanding this problem is essential for proper treatment and improving your dog’s well-being.

What are the symptoms of separation anxiety?

Dogs with separation anxiety display behaviours that indicate intense stress and panic when their owner is absent. These symptoms are not only troublesome but can also indicate serious emotional and physical stress in the dog.

Key symptoms of separation anxiety

1. Urinating and defecating indoors
   • Dogs with separation anxiety may become house-trained when left alone.
   • They often urinate or defecate near the exit, where their owners left.
   • This behaviour is not deliberate, but is caused by intense stress.
2. Excessive barking and whining
   • Dogs may bark, howl or whine persistently, sometimes for hours on end, until their owner returns.
   • This behaviour indicates a high level of panic.
3. Chewing, digging and destruction
   • Destructive behaviour is a common sign of separation anxiety.
   • Dogs scratch at doors, chew on furniture or dig into the floor.
   • This behaviour often targets objects associated with the owner or places where the owner has left the house.
4. Escaping
   • Some dogs try to escape by breaking windows or opening doors.
   • This can lead to dangerous situations or injuries.

Other common symptoms

• Excessive salivation or drooling: Due to anxiety, the dog begins to drool excessively.
• Hyperactivity or nervousness before departure: Dogs may become restless as soon as they notice the owner is leaving.
• Excessively enthusiastic behaviour upon the owner’s return: The dog reacts with extreme joy when the owner returns.
• Constantly following the owner: Dogs with separation anxiety stay close to their owner at all times, even indoors.
• Depressive symptoms: Some dogs become listless or lose their appetite.

Why is recognising the symptoms important?

The symptoms of separation anxiety can resemble other behavioural or medical issues. That is why it is important to observe closely and have a professional assessment carried out. Professional help, such as behavioural therapy or guidance from a veterinarian, may be needed to determine the correct treatment.

Recognising these signs is the first step towards improving your dog’s wellbeing.

What causes separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety in dogs is often caused by changes in their environment, routine or social context. This condition is particularly common in dogs that have experienced a lack of stability or a traumatic event. Below are the main causes of separation anxiety.

1. Change of owner or family

• Being abandoned or moving to a new owner can cause separation anxiety.
• Dogs from shelters may be more prone to separation anxiety than dogs that have lived with one family since puppyhood, although research findings on this specific link are mixed.
• The uncertainty caused by a change of owner often leads to emotional instability.

2. Change in routine

• Sudden changes to the owner’s routine, such as working longer hours away from home, can destabilise a dog.
• For example: a dog that is used to being with its owner all the time experiences stress when suddenly left alone for long periods.

3. Change of residence

• Moving to a new environment can trigger separation anxiety.
• New smells, sounds and unfamiliar spaces can cause anxiety, especially in dogs that struggle to adapt.

4. Change in household membership

• The absence of a family member due to death, moving house or divorce can cause separation anxiety.
• The arrival of a new family member, such as a baby, can also make a dog feel insecure and intensify feelings of anxiety.

Why do these problems arise?

Separation anxiety is a complex problem often caused by a combination of the factors mentioned above. Major changes in a dog’s living conditions can intensify feelings of insecurity, anxiety and stress.

A thorough understanding of the cause helps to implement targeted and effective treatment, so that the dog can rebuild its confidence and stability.

Which medical issues should be ruled out first?

In a dog with behavioural problems such as suspected separation anxiety, it is crucial to rule out medical causes first. Many symptoms of separation anxiety, such as soiling and destructive behaviour, can be caused by underlying health issues. Ruling out medical causes prevents misdiagnosis and ensures targeted and effective treatment.

1. Incontinence due to medical causes
   • Bladder and kidney problems: Such as infections or kidney failure.
   • Urinary tract infections: Cause frequent urination and sometimes accidents in the home.
   • Congenital abnormalities: Bladder abnormalities or tumours in the urinary system.
   • Hormonal problems: For example, leakage in spayed bitches.
   • Prostate problems: Common in unneutered male dogs.
2. Other medical conditions
   • Chronic pain: Such as arthritis, which can cause stress and restlessness.
   • Thyroid problems: Can cause behavioural changes and hyperactivity.
   • Dementia: In older dogs, which can lead to confusion and anxiety.
   • Parasites: Such as giardia, which cause digestive problems and restlessness.
   • Mediterranean diseases: Particularly in dogs from abroad, such as leishmania and ehrlichia.
3. Medication
   • If medical problems have been diagnosed, medication can sometimes help, such as:
     • Medicines to improve bladder function.
     • Anxiolytics for severe separation anxiety, in combination with behavioural therapy.

Behavioural issues to rule out

In addition to medical issues, other behavioural issues must also be investigated.

1. Incontinence due to behavioural factors
   • Submissive urination: Particularly in insecure dogs or when greeting others.
   • Inadequate house-training: In young dogs or dogs that have spent a lot of time in kennels.
   • Urine marking: Particularly common in unneutered male dogs, often exacerbated by a female dog in heat nearby.
2. Destructive behaviour due to boredom
   • Exploratory behaviour: Particularly common in young dogs that do not receive sufficient mental stimulation.
   • Boredom: A lack of exercise or challenge can cause destructive behaviour.
3. Excessive barking or howling
   • May indicate stress or a learned pattern to seek attention.

How can I treat separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety in dogs requires a targeted approach, based on the severity of the problem. Below, we discuss strategies for mild to severe cases and key guidelines to help your dog overcome its anxiety.

How is mild separation anxiety treated

Dogs with mild separation anxiety can benefit from simple adjustments to their routine and environment:

1. Gradually build up time spent alone: Start with short periods (a few minutes) and extend these slowly.
2. Say goodbye calmly: Don’t make a fuss when you leave, as this can reinforce the anxiety.
3. Get used to being apart: Let your dog get used to being alone in another room whilst you are at home.
4. Limit attention: Gradually reduce the amount of attention you give when you are at home to reduce dependency.

What is the treatment for moderate to severe separation anxiety?

In more severe cases, a structured approach is necessary:

1. Work with a behaviourist: Draw up an individual treatment plan with a professional trainer or behaviourist.
2. Medication if necessary: Combine behavioural therapy with medication, such as clomipramine [3] or fluoxetine [4], under the supervision of a veterinarian. Clinical trials have found both drugs, alongside a behaviour modification plan, ease separation-related signs more than behaviour modification on its own.
3. Distraction techniques: Use interactive toys and food puzzles to keep your dog occupied whilst you are away.
4. Build independence: Train your dog to develop more confidence without constant supervision.

To use a crate or not?

A crate is not recommended for dogs with separation anxiety because:

• It can exacerbate the anxiety, especially if the dog feels trapped.
• Some dogs become claustrophobic in a small space.
• It restricts freedom of movement and natural behaviours.

Ensure sufficient mental and physical stimulation

• Physical activity: Long walks or play sessions before you leave can help burn off excess energy and reduce stress.
• Mental stimulation: Use puzzle toys, snuffle mats or interactive games to keep your dog occupied.

What NOT to do with separation anxiety

• Do not punish anxiety: This can exacerbate the anxiety and the problem.
• Do not provide constant company: This prevents the dog from learning to be independent.
• Do not use small spaces: Such as confining them to a small room or crate.

Calming supplements and therapies

Some supplements have real evidence behind them, others less so. A dog-appeasing pheromone product, such as Adaptil, performed comparably to clomipramine in a clinical trial of dogs with separation-related disorders, with owners reporting fewer unwanted events overall [5]. L-theanine has shown a reduction in anxiety signs in an open-label study of anxious dogs [6]. Tryptophan is the weakest of the three: a placebo-controlled trial found no significant improvement in anxiety behaviour from dietary tryptophan alone, so treat it as a minor addition rather than a fix on its own [7].

• Alternative therapies such as calming massages or anxiety-reducing music can also be helpful.

My dog gets anxious before I leave. What can I do?

Dogs recognise departure cues such as picking up keys or putting on shoes, and these signals alone can raise their anxiety before you have even left. Desensitising those cues and practising a calm, low-key goodbye is exactly the kind of day-to-day routine work that pairs with the treatment approach above.

For a full walkthrough of departure training, what a dog actually does when left alone, and how to handle whining, see our companion guide: Separation anxiety in dogs: how to recognise and treat it.

How long does it take to cure separation anxiety?

The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the anxiety and the approach taken.

• In mild cases, improvement may be visible within a few weeks.
• Moderate to severe separation anxiety often requires months of patient training.
• Older dogs generally need more time to make progress.

Focus on making progress in small steps and work with a professional for the best results.