Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety can be overwhelming for both you and your dog. If you think your dog is struggling, we can help.
What is Separation Anxiety?
Separation Anxiety occurs when a dog is anxious about being left alone or when away from their preferred person. There are a few similar conditions that often get lumped together into the label Separation Anxiety:
Anxiety when left alone (Isolation Anxiety)- most common
Anxiety when separated from a preferred person- for example, anxious when one owner is not present, even if other people are in the room.
Confinement Anxiety- Anxiety when left in a crate or other small space. This is different from separation anxiety. Dogs may have both confinement anxiety and separation anxiety, but some only have one or the other.
How do I know if my dog has separation anxiety?
Signs of separation anxiety in dogs may include:
Excessive barking, whining, or howling when left alone
Pacing, panting, or restlessness
Destructive behaviors (chewing furniture, scratching doors)
Self-harm from chewing or over-grooming
Accidents indoors (when the dog is otherwise housetrained)
Tip: Use a camera to watch your dog’s behavior when you’re not around.
What if it’s NOT separation anxiety?
Many dogs don’t enjoy being left alone because it means they lose access to fun things. It’s common for dogs to bark for a minute or two when left alone in a room, or to chew on something like a shoe when bored and alone. These are not the same as Separation Anxiety, where the dog feels a high level of stress or panic.
Boredom can often be resolved with enrichment activities (puzzle toys, chews, scent games) and daily exercise suited to your dog’s age and breed. If your dog still shows distress when left alone, even after enrichment, they may be experiencing true separation anxiety.
Note: if your dog’s only separation related issue is having accidents when you’re gone, that could also be related to aging or a medical issue. Check with your vet!
How long does it take to treat separation anxiety
There’s no quick fix for separation anxiety. Like any serious emotional issue, treatment takes time. Treatment time depends on:
The severity of your dog’s anxiety
Your ability to adjust daily routines (suspending absences when possible)
How consistently you practice training exercises
Most separation anxiety cases require several months of training.
Should I try a bark collar, e-collar, or citronella collar?
No. Dogs who continuously bark for hours when alone are experiencing a panic attack, not bad behavior! Tools like bark collars or e-collars add pain and stress during moments of panic, making anxiety worse, not better.
We recommend working with a certified behavior consultant and separation anxiety specialist who will use systematic desensitization and positive reinforcement methods proven to reduce separation anxiety.
Why work with a certified behavior consultant on separation anxiety?
Separation anxiety is complex and difficult to solve without expert guidance. Working with a certified dog behavior consultant ensures you get:
A customized training plan designed for your dog
Professional support to avoid ineffective or harmful advice online
Access to a trainer who specializes in canine separation anxiety
DIY solutions often fail, which is why we recommend scheduling an initial assessment as soon as possible.
Why is separation anxiety training virtual?
Virtual dog training is the most effective approach for separation anxiety because:
Dogs often act differently when a trainer, or any stranger, is present
Your dog learns to be calm when you leave, not when a stranger is in the house
Technology (video calls, cameras) allows us to monitor your dog’s progress in real-time
Will crate training help my dog's separation anxiety?
Not usually. Crates can be useful for preventing boredom-related mischief, but for dogs with true separation anxiety, they can increase panic.
Sometimes, giving a dog more freedom in a safe space reduces stress. In these cases, a dog may actually have Confinement Anxiety and improve when left alone with more space. We’ll help you determine what’s best for your individual dog.
Did I cause my dog's separation anxiety?
Separation anxiety in dogs is a complex behavior with many potential causes. Sometimes owners are told that their dog's separation anxiety is caused by allowing them to sleep in the bed, or paying too much attention to them when re-entering the home. But there's no evidence that those things will cause separation anxiety! Our team will help you understand why your pup is panicking about being left alone, and how to help.
Will a board-and-train program fix separation anxiety?
It’s unlikely. Separation anxiety is context-specific—meaning your dog must learn to be comfortable with you leaving home. A board-and-train facility doesn’t replicate that, so results are rarely effective. Virtual behavior consulting using systematic desensitization is considered the gold-standard treatment for separation anxiety.
Do dogs with separation anxiety need medication?
It depends! Some dogs manage anxiety with behavior work alone, while others need medical support. Many dogs improve with a combination of training and veterinary-prescribed medication.
We recommend talking to your vet about whether medication could support your dog’s separation anxiety treatment plan.