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Our dogs love being around us – and we love being around them. But sometimes, this can develop into distress when they're left alone. We call this separation anxiety in dogs.
It’s a common issue pet parents face and can be experienced by all dogs, no matter their age or breed. Understanding how to manage dog separation anxiety is crucial to keeping your pup happy and stress-free.
What are the symptoms of separation anxiety?
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Dog behaviourist Adem Fehmi recommends looking out for these common signs of separation anxiety in dogs.
The physical destruction of your home when you leave.
Defecation or urination in the house.
Non-stop howling or barking when left alone.
They follow you from room to room when you’re at home.
They hover at doors and windows when you leave.
Behaviourists and vets use these categories when checking anxiety-related behaviour:
Destructive behaviour
Destroying parts of the house
Excessive chewing
Excessive scratching
House soiling
Defecating or urinating in the house
Physical signs
Clinginess
Decreased appetite
Pacing
Restlessness
Trembling or shivering
Vocalisation
What’s the difference between anxiety and “normal” behaviour in dogs?
Generally, if the behaviour is consistent, excessive and unusual, it's more likely to be anxiety.
But sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate "normal" behaviour from symptoms of anxiety.
For example, a dog may excessively chew because of teething or following instincts, while a high-energy breed may appear restless due to a lack of exercise or stimulation.
That's why it's important to visit your vet when noticing things. They can put the behaviour into context for you and help work out what is causing the anxiety.
What causes separation anxiety?
Separation anxiety in dogs can come about for a variety of complex reasons. Many pet parents found their dogs had developed separation anxiety after the COVID-19 restrictions eased because they’d become used to so much company and attention during the day.
It can also be caused by the sudden loss of another family member (human or animal) or a change in environment, such as a house move or a stay at a friend’s home.
A lack of effective exercise or mental and social stimulation can contribute to overall dog anxiety. Just like humans, dogs often feel much calmer after physical activity.
What medical conditions can cause separation anxiety symptoms?
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There are a few medical conditions that can contribute to separation anxiety in dogs.
These include:
Arthritis
Arthritis causes pain, which leads to anxiety and restlessness, symptoms easily mistaken for separation anxiety.
Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS)
This is similar to dementia and can cause behavioural changes, like anxiety.
Cushing's disease
Cushing's is a hormonal issue that results in increased thirst and urination, which can lead to accidents in the house.
Diabetes
Diabetes increases thirst and urination, meaning it may cause your dog to urinate inside more. This can be mistaken for separation anxiety, especially when you return home.
Gastrointestinal issues
Discomfort or pain in the digestive system can cause anxiety-like symptoms and house soiling.
Kidney disease
Like diabetes, kidney disease can cause increased thirst and urination. This can lead to increased house soiling, which owners can mistake for separation anxiety.
Neurological problems
A host of neurological problems can cause anxiety, fear and restlessness.
Pain
Pain or discomfort causes a dog to be anxious and restless.
Seizures
These can lead to a loss of bladder and bowel control, leading to house soiling. It's also very mentally taxing for dogs and can increase anxiety - pre and post-seizure behaviour can lead to dogs being clingy or acting strangely.
Sensory issues
Hearing and vision problems can lead to a dog feeling more anxious, especially if the symptoms are new. They may cling to their owner for security and guidance.
Thyroid issues
Problems with the thyroid, which controls metabolism, can lead to significant behaviour changes, especially an increased appetite.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and incontinence problems
Frequent urination and soiling in the house are often mistaken for separation anxiety and can happen with UTIs, too. Plus, a dog will naturally become more anxious or may experience pain due to a UTI or incontinence.
At what age does separation anxiety typically start?
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Separation anxiety mostly happens in dogs before they're twoyears old. You'll normally notice it peaks between 10 and 18 months.
It's not uncommon for older dogs to suddenly have separation anxiety as their mental and physical capabilities change.
Managing separation anxiety
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Learning how to manage dog anxiety is essential. So, whether you notice the signs of separation anxiety in your pup or not, it’s always a good idea to lay the groundwork of training early on.
Our dog anxiety guide covers more, but here are the key areas on how to manage separation anxiety in dogs:
Prevention
Create a calm atmosphere at home
It's important that your home is a calm, welcoming place where your dog can relax. Otherwise, it risks making their anxiety worse. Make sure your dog has their own safe space with their bedding and toys where they feel comfortable.
Adem says, “A winner in my house is classical music. It really helps them relax and also can drown out any external noises that may worry them when we’re out and about.” A large, comfortable bed could also help your dog feel more relaxed in your absence.
We recommend minimising disturbances too, especially if you aren't home. For example, you can:
Close the curtains.
Leave your dog in a comfortable, quiet room.
Use the radio or TV to reduce outside noise.
Medication
There is a wide range of behaviour-modulating drugs that are used in pets - they’re mostly off-licence human medications, although we use them frequently in pets and know they are safe.
Not every drug is suitable for every pet, so it’s very important that you discuss your dog's symptoms in detail with your vet or veterinary behaviourist to make sure you’re choosing the right medication. It can sometimes involve trying one and changing to another.
It’s also essential to remember that medication is only advised to be used short-term alongside behaviour training and not as a long-term solution or in place of training techniques.
Medication examples
Clomicalm - This is a licenced medication for treating separation anxiety in dogs and is usually very successful. It is, however, rather expensive.
Gabapentin - This is commonly used with trazodone to have a mild sedative effect, making your dog feel calmer. It also has some pain relief properties, so it can help with pain-related anxiety.
Pexion - This is commonly used to prevent seizures, but it is also licenced and very effective in helping manage noise phobias in dogs, so it can be very helpful for dogs whose anxiety is noise-triggered.
Trazodone - Trazodone works to keep dogs calm and is commonly prescribed for dogs displaying anxious or compulsive behaviours. It enables them to stay calmer in a stressful situation. Sometimes, it is used for separation anxiety, vet visit anxiety, or when recovering from major surgery.
Xanax - An anti-anxiety medication that can be used in dogs for this purpose; it is usually quite effective when used over a longer period of time.
Mental enrichment and stimulation
Give them something to do. Boredom is a common cause of destructive doggy behaviour. Providing them with a toy or puzzle will help keep them distracted and mentally stimulated when you’re gone.
The treats will also work as a positive reinforcement for your absence.
Proper exercise
Exercise your dog before leaving them at home. Besides being essential for their physical and mental health, exercise will help your dog burn off any anxious energy they may otherwise put into worrying when left alone.
A well-exercised dog is much more likely to settle than one that’s raring to go! Always know and understand the exercise requirements of your dog’s breed - some need a lot more than others.
Use interactive cameras
Installing an interactive camera can let you keep an eye on your dog while you're gone, allowing you to pinpoint the exact causes of separation anxiety. It can also give you some peace of mind that they are safe and relaxed.
Some dogs do find interactive cameras stressful and distressing, so test this with yours first.
Toys and puzzles
Toys and puzzles can supplement a treatment plan to help calm down separation anxiety in dogs. They're primarily there to provide entertainment and soothe boredom, not to replace training and treatment.
Some products you can consider include:
Calming aids
Some owners swear by calming aids like pheromone dispensers, supplements and weighted blankets. But make sure you talk to your vet before using these. They need to be used consistently over a long period of time to have an effect.
Comfort items
Making sure your dog has a comforting blanket or toy goes a long way, especially if they carry your scent. You can even give them a piece of your clothing.
Puzzle toys
These help calm, distract and entertain your dog by giving them a puzzle to solve. You can reward your dog with affirmation or fuss after, or use one that supplies a treat.
Snuffle mats
These are mats where you can hide treats in fabric, encouraging dogs to explore, play and sniff. This can mentally stimulate your dog and calm them down.
Treat dispensers
These provide mental stimulation for your dog, requiring them to complete an action or a puzzle to get a treat. They normally work on a timer and have a difficulty level, meaning it'll keep your dog entertained. Just make sure you factor in these treats when feeding your dog to prevent obesity.
Recommended training methods for separation anxiety
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Fundamentally, you use positive reinforcement training where you reward "good" behaviour and ignore "bad" behaviour.
Never punish your dog or negatively reinforce anything - this is counter-productive and will only make your dog's anxiety worse.
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Step-by-step training guide for separation anxiety
Leave the room for a short time
Leave the room for a short moment and then return. You should return just before your dog exhibits signs of stress, like crying or vocalisation.
Reward your dog for staying calm when you return
When you return, give your dog a treat or a bit of fuss, but not too much.
Gradually extend the time you leave for
Gradually increase the time you're out of the room. Once again, return before your dog exhibits signs of stress. This must happen at your dog's pace: if they panic, reduce the time you're away.
Desensitise your dog to leaving triggers
It's not just about leaving the room. Make sure you incorporate other parts of leaving to desensitise your dog to them, like picking up your keys, putting on shoes and opening and shutting the door.
Be calm on your return
You don't want going away or coming back to be a big fuss. You should try to stay as calm as possible when you return home, as this will mean your dog won't see it as a big, stressful event.
Always speak to a qualified behaviourist or trainer for advice if you are struggling with this issue with your dog.
The dangers of "cry it out" methods
Some dog trainers may just tell your dog to "cry it out" when dealing with separation anxiety. We don't recommend this as it's psychologically damaging to pets.
Ignoring your pet when they're in pain or stressed will attach fear to being alone, increase the volume of stress hormones in their body, and they'll learn to suffer in silence.
What should I do if my dog becomes destructive or soils the house when I leave?
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You follow the same training steps as above: find out what's causing the behaviour and engage in positive reinforcement training to stop it. But you may benefit from giving your dog obedience training, too. Crate and basic toilet training can also help.
While we know it's stressful, you shouldn't stress your dog out too much or shout at them if this happens - it'll just make things worse.
Always speak to a qualified behaviourist or trainer for advice if you are struggling with this issue with your dog.
Long-term management of separation anxiety
The condition needs long-term management. It can't just go away after a few training sessions, and as we've mentioned, it can crop back up as your dog enters their senior years.
If you focus on consistent routines, regular training and short and positive goodbyes, you should see lower levels of separation anxiety.
Short-term management relies on the treatment options we've listed above, while long-term management relies on embedding the key elements of this treatment into your and your dog's daily life and continuing to do so in the long term - it can take several months to make significant progress with any behaviour issue in dogs.
What breeds are prone to separation anxiety?
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Any dog breed can experience separation anxiety. But some, particularly high-energy and intelligent breeds, can suffer from it.
Breeds more prone to separation anxiety include:
Border Collies
German Shepherd
Labradors
Lagotto Romagnolos
Miniature Schnauzers
Jack Russells
Shetland Sheepdogs
Spanish Water Dogs
Vizslas
Wheaten Terriers
Seeking professional help for separation anxiety
Knowing how to manage separation anxiety in dogs is important, but in some cases, professional support is needed.
Separation anxiety in dogs can be a complex issue to unravel, so it’s important to seek help from your vet or a suitably qualified professional dog behaviourist if you’re struggling.
Although there will be no quick fix, a consistent, bespoke training plan can really help your dog turn it around.
And the good news is that our dog insurance may be able to foot the bill as long as a vet recommends behavioural treatment.
All ManyPets policies include cover for behavioural treatment when needed as a result of illness or injury, as long as you’ve been referred by a vet.
Make sure to read your policy book for more information, and remember that terms apply.
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