Understanding and Managing Separation Anxiety in Dogs

What is Separation Anxiety?

Separation anxiety (SA) is the distress a dog experiences when they anticipate or undergo separation from their guardian. It can range from mild unease to full-blown panic and may present as vocalizing, pacing, destruction, or escape attempts. Unlike boredom or general frustration, separation anxiety is rooted in a true emotional panic response.

Understanding the Difference Between Separation Distress and Separation Anxiety

While often used interchangeably, separation distress and separation anxiety are distinct in their severity and underlying emotional responses. Separation distress refers to a milder form of unease some dogs experience when left alone. These dogs may show signs of restlessness, whining, or pacing, but typically settle down shortly after their caregiver leaves. In contrast, separation anxiety is a more intense and chronic condition. Dogs with true separation anxiety experience profound fear or panic when separated from their attachment figure, often resulting in destructive behavior, vocalization, house soiling, or self-injury. The key distinction lies in the emotional intensity and the dog’s inability to self-soothe in the absence of their human. Understanding this difference is crucial for tailoring effective treatment and support strategies.

Separation Distress in Newly Rescued Dogs

Separation distress is especially common in newly rescued dogs as they adjust to an unfamiliar environment and begin to form new attachments. These dogs may have experienced abandonment, inconsistent caregiving, or time in shelters—factors that contribute to their unease when left alone. While their distress may resemble separation anxiety, it often stems from uncertainty and insecurity rather than deep-rooted panic. Signs might include whining, pacing, or mild destruction shortly after the guardian leaves. However, many of these behaviors fade as the dog settles in and learns that their new home is safe and their person will return. Early structure, predictable routines, and gentle departures can help ease this transitional distress before it escalates into more serious anxiety

Common Triggers

Changes in schedule or household routines
Moving to a new home (like an adoption)
Loss of a family member (including other pets)
Lack of prior experience being alone
Over-dependence on a guardian
Traumatic events while alone (e.g., thunderstorm, fireworks)
Genetic predisposition

Important: The exact cause of SA is unknown. It is estimated that 1-in-4 or 5 dogs has some degree of SA. The triggers related above are anecdotal items that may be contributing factors for both separation distress and separation anxiety.

Managing vs. Treating SA

Managing means setting the dog up for success and preventing exposure to their anxiety trigger—being alone. This prevents the panic response from becoming a habitual behavior.

Treating means using training to change the dog’s emotional response to being alone.

A combination of both is typically necessary.

Daily Management Strategies

Prevent Alone-Time: Avoid leaving the dog alone while actively working on treatment. Use pet sitters, daycares, or take them with you when possible.
Exercise Daily: Provide a mix of physical and mental activities:
- Physical: Walks and play sessions
- Mental: Puzzle toys, training games, “sniffaris,” cardboard box puzzles, safe chews
Encourage Calm Behavior:
- Reward calm moments with praise, pets, or treats
- Teach cues like “Settle,” “Not Now,” and “All Done”
- Practiced structured calm/settle time
Minimize Triggers:
- Stress compounds. Exposure to non-separation anxiety related stress will make it harder for your dog to cope with being left alone
- Avoid dramatic departures and reunions
- Don’t punish anxiety behaviors—this increases stress

Creating a Safe, Calm Environment

Play calming music or white noise (YouTube has dog-specific playlists) during relaxation practice
Close curtains or use frosted window film to reduce outside stimuli
Use enrichment to occupy the dog during down times
Consider pheromone diffusers (e.g., Adaptil) or calming sprays to promote calm

Crate Training: When and How to Use It

Crate training can be beneficial in promoting the practicing of relaxed behavior if the dog already sees the crate as a safe relaxing space.

Important: Crate training does not resolve separation anxiety. It is a management tool to prevent destruction. If a dog is not already crate-trained, forcing them into a crate while experiencing SA can be traumatic.

Crate Alternatives:

Exercise pens or baby gates to section off the house
Dog-proofed rooms

Crate Training Tips:

Never force entry; use food or toys to invite the dog in
Gradually increase duration with the door closed
Leave door open for free access when not training
Observe the dog’s body language—panting, barking, or drooling are red flags—to ensure a positive experience
See Crate Training resources on our website for additional details on crate training your dog

Supplements, Medications, and Monitoring Tools

Medication:

Talk to your vet or a vet behaviorist about options
Anti-anxiety meds can improve quality of life and make training more effective
Quick acting and long-term medications are available to support different phases or situations during training

Supplements:

Calming chews or natural remedies may help mild cases

Monitoring:

Use a camera to observe your dog while you’re away
Look for signs of distress: pacing, vocalizing, escape attempts, accidents

Cameras Options: Wyze Cam, Furbo, Ring Indoor Cam

Treatment: Training for Long-Term Change

The cornerstone of SA training: Only leave your dog for as long as they can stay calm.

1. Desensitize Departure Cues

Pick up your keys, put on shoes, open the door—without leaving
Repeat these steps randomly throughout the day until the dog stops reacting

2. Start Small

Identify the scenario where your dog feels comfortable being left alone.
- This could range from:
  - Being 20ft away in the same room to 30 seconds outside the door
Gradually increase the time only if the dog remains calm

3. Track Progress

Keep a log of durations and reactions
Progress isn’t linear. Regression is part of the process as long as the trend is moving toward longer durations being left alone

4. Build Incrementally

Gradually increase the time alone only if the dog remains calm
Avoid increasing time too quickly (no more than 20–30% per session)
Progress is based on the dog’s performance/body language and not our desires.

5. End on a Positive Note

It is imperative to finish each session while the dog is still calm
Don’t “push” them—this can undo progress. Practicing a panic response can build a habitual behavior.

Ancillary Training Activities

Encouraging Emotional and Physical Independence

While it’s tempting to shower a new dog with constant attention, it’s vital to teach them how to feel safe on their own. Set the tone early:

Meet their needs on a daily basis
Practice short separations throughout the day
Encourage solo play or settling in another room
Reward calm independence
Don’t reinforce clingy behavior (e.g., jumping on you, pawing constantly)
- It’s a fine line between a healthy and unhealthy need for attention.

Fulfillment and Safety

Safety through routine and predictability:
- Establishing consistent daily patterns builds a sense of security.
- When dogs can predict what comes next (exercise, meals, rest), they are less anxious and more confident.
Meeting core needs builds emotional balance:
- Dogs who consistently receive physical activity, mental stimulation, meals, and rest are less likely to exhibit anxious or attention-seeking behaviors.
- Providing these proactively helps prevent frustration and unmet needs.
Intentional, high-quality engagement:
- When we are with our dogs, being fully present (100% engaged) strengthens the relationship and fulfills their need for social connection.
- Clear boundaries between engagement and disengagement help dogs understand what to expect.
Teaching the rhythm of engagement vs. disengagement:
- Be consistent in showing when it’s time for interaction and when it’s time for independence.
- This skill often needs to be taught in stages:
  - Start with short disengagements (e.g., 30 seconds) following an activity.
  - Gradually build up to longer periods, supported by clear structure and consistent patterns.
Proactive fulfillment reduces anxiety:
- Fulfill needs before your dog has to ask:
  - Vary physical exercise (high, medium, low intensity).
  - Offer enriching mental and sensory stimulation.
  - Provide meaningful, predictable social interaction.
- A fulfilled dog is more likely to relax and self-soothe during independent time.

“Not Now / All Done” Teaching Method

Use structured cues to help dogs understand boundaries without punishment.

“Not Now” = I see you want attention, but it’s not available yet.
- Important to provide the attention requested at the appropriate time.
“All Done” = The interaction is finished. Time to relax.
“Crate”, “Place”, “Stay” = options for acceptable alternative stationing/calm behaviors
- Calming enrichment items like lick-able and chewable foods can encourage relaxation while performing these cues

Capture Calm using SMART x 50

A brilliant technique from Kathy Sdao:

S: See
M: Mark
A: And
R: Reward
T: Training

Catch your dog practicing relaxed behavior 50 times a day (or as often as you can)—lying down away from you, not following you around the house, voluntarily going to their crate or place bed. Mark and reward those moments to build positive habits.

Final Thoughts

Separation anxiety is challenging, but with patience, planning, and compassion, most dogs can learn to feel safe when left alone. Prevention is always easier than treatment—help your dog build confidence and independence from the start.