Support for dogs and puppies showing stronger signs of separation anxiety

If you're dealing with a case of severe separation anxiety in dogs, or you're concerned about an extreme separation anxiety dog, it's essential to work alongside a vet or certified behaviourist.

They’ll guide you through a carefully managed plan for how to cope with separation anxiety in dogs, using gradual exposure techniques tailored to your dog's specific triggers.

Remember, if your dog is showing signs of separation anxiety, they’re not being ‘naughty’ – they may simply be feeling unsure or overwhelmed. Like us, dogs need patience, consistency and reassurance to feel more secure. With the right support, you can help them grow in confidence and feel more relaxed at home.

Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Recognising separation-related behaviour and anxiety in dogs.

You may know the obvious signs of SRB in dogs, such as destroying furniture or barking. Yet, did you know that there are other signs that may go unnoticed?

The most common signs of separation-related behaviours in dogs are:

• Destructive behaviour, including chewing and destroying furniture, (often near exits, doors or windows)

• Howling, barking, whining

• Toileting (weeing or pooing)

• Excessive excitement upon your return

• Signs of anxiety before you leave

Other less common (and easy to miss) signs include:

• Trembling, panting

• Excessive salivation

• Self-injury (for example signs of excessive paw licking or tail biting)

• Repetitive behaviour (circling, pacing, barking)

• Vomiting

• Not eating (meals, treats or engaging with food toys) when you're out

Why are some dogs unsettled when left alone?

There are many reasons why a dog may develop problems when home alone........these are the most common:

• The dog has never been left alone in the home regularly or separated from a particular person.

• There is something that the dog is scared of or worried by either inside the house or outside. This could be something that happens on a daily basis (eg the postman arriving) or something that happened only once (eg a severe thunderstorm). Dogs tend to feel much more vulnerable when they are on their own, so it is easy for them to develop specific fears, especially those who have a sensitive or nervous nature.

• An animal companion dies. Normally this would be another dog who shared a close bond with the dog who is left behind, but strong attachments can also be made with other species too, like cats.

• Boredom. Typically this affects young, energetic dogs who struggle when left to their own devices. If left alone for too long (especially when not exercised enough) these dogs may find their own entertainment, such as chewing table legs or raiding the rubbish bins.

Dogs who have been in rescue or have been rehomed several times can sometimes struggle with being left, especially in the first few weeks of being rehomed. This is probably due to a variety of factors, including the stresses experienced while in kennels and learning to adapt to a new home.

Why punishment won’t help

It is natural for owners to be angry or disappointed if they return to find damage to their home, mess in the house or annoyed neighbours. Sensing that their owners are upset with them, many dogs will display ‘appeasement behaviour’ – their ears may go flat, their body may be lowered and their tail may go between their legs. Some will look away and narrowing their eyes, as if they are cringing .

Appeasement behaviour is often misinterpreted as guilt, and mistakenly some owners believe the dog knows what they have done is wrong. They may feel that any damage caused or mess in the house has been done on purpose or out of spite for being left alone. Unfortunately, this may mean that the dog is punished in an attempt to stop the behaviour.

Dogs that look guilty are doing nothing more than responding to an owner’s disappointment, upset or anger and it is their way of diffusing tension in response to feeling threatened. Some dogs will also do this if they think they are about to be told off if they have been so in the past.

Any punishment given on returning home won’t help stop the problem. Dogs associate punishment with what they are doing at that moment in time and so a dog will not link the telling off with their actions before their owner came home, even if they are taken over to ‘the scene of the crime’. It is not that they cannot remember what happened; they just won’t be able to make a connection between the punishment and something they did hours ago.

Punishment is not only useless but it is also likely to make the problem worse. Now, as well as being anxious about being left, a dog will also be worried about the owner returning, which can make any symptoms much, much worse.
How to help a dog who has separation problems

How to support a dog or puppy with separation anxiety

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but many vets and behaviourists suggest gentle techniques for treating separation anxiety in dogs, especially when the signs are mild. These techniques can be particularly helpful for puppy separation anxiety, where early support can make a real difference.

If you're wondering how to stop separation anxiety in dogs or how to stop dog crying when left alone, small steps – like changing pre-departure cues or adding calming enrichment – can help your dog gradually feel more relaxed.

• Stuffed Kongs – These durable rubber toys can be filled with something tasty like dog-friendly peanut butter (make sure it’s free from xylitol, which is toxic to dogs) or banana. You can also stuff them with wet dog food and freeze them to make the fun last longer.

• Plenty of walkies – A good walk or a run around the garden can help burn off energy and leave your dog more relaxed and ready to rest while you’re out.

• Brain games – Mental stimulation can be just as tiring as physical exercise. A short clicker training session before you leave can help your dog settle more easily.

Helping your dog or puppy feel more at ease when home alone

To help your puppy get used to being home alone and feel more at ease with alone time from an early age, it’s important to start building positive routines early on. Our in-house YuMOVE vet, Dr Charlotte, shares some simple tips to help your pup feel more settled:

• Start small – leave your puppy alone for just a few minutes at a time, then gradually build up.

• Keep departures low-key – avoid long goodbyes so your pup doesn’t associate them with stress.

• Create a calm space – set up a cosy area with toys or a food puzzle to help them settle.

• Stick to a routine – regular feeding, playtime and rest can help your puppy feel more secure.

• Reward calm behaviour – praise your pup when they stay relaxed, even if you just pop out of the room.

And if you're ever unsure, your vet or a qualified behaviourist can offer advice tailored to your pup.