Separation anxiety in dogs: signs, causes and how to help
Worried your dog struggles with being left alone? Find out how to manage separation anxiety with our practical tips.
It’s normal for our dogs to want to be with us – they’re social animals. However, we have busy lives, and it’s not realistic for us to be with them all the time (even though we wish we could be).
So, it’s important to teach them that being home alone is nothing to worry about.
Overcoming separation anxiety in dogs is not something you need to struggle with alone. We’re with you.
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If you are struggling with your dog’s separation anxiety, we’d urge you to give our friendly team of qualified experts a call for free.
Our phone lines are open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 7:30pm; Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays 9.30am to 5pm.
Tips while waiting for help
Avoid leaving your dog alone when possible. If you must leave your dog, ask family, friends or dog sitters to look after them.
What happens on the call
When you call our Behaviour Support Line our team will listen, give advice, and help you find the best way forward for you and your dog.
Our trained experts keep up to date with the latest science, and offer immediate, personalised advice over the phone. We will ask questions about your dog and their behaviour, and you can explain in your own words what you need help with. Our experts offer kind, non-judgemental support whatever the challenges you may be facing with your dog.
Depending on yours and your dog's needs, we may be able to offer all the support you need in a free telephone consultation. We will follow up with an email to make sure you have all the information to hand.
We may also recommend one of our other behavioural services. We can answer questions about what this may look like and help you to book these.
What is separation anxiety in dogs?
Separation related behaviours can happen when your dog is left alone. These behaviours develop for many reasons, but the most common cause is separation anxiety.
Some dogs feel anxious when separated from their owners, showing unwanted or destructive behaviours as a result. As social animals, it’s normal for our dogs to feel worried when left alone. Why a dog gets separation anxiety varies, but most often it’s because they haven’t learnt that being alone is okay.
If you’re struggling with your dog’s ability to cope when you leave them, you’re not alone. Dealing with separation anxiety in dogs is a common reason owners call our Behaviour Support Line.
With the right training and support, your dog can learn to feel more confident alone.
Signs and symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs
Common behaviours to look out for
If your dog is anxious about being left, they may show some of these signs:
- Vocalising – barking, whining, whimpering or howling.
- Placing themselves between you and the front door.
- Jumping up or pacing as you get ready to leave, or once you’ve left.
- Damaging furniture, doorways and household items by scratching and chewing them.
- Going to the toilet inside the house.
- Being unable to rest or settle for long.
- Spending lots of time near the door you left through or looking out of windows.
- Trembling, panting, drooling – these signs may be less obvious but still indicate distress.
- Lack of interest in food or chews left for them.
- Not interacting with you when you get home or appearing overexcited.
- Other body language signs of fear and anxiety.
Separation related behaviours can be frustrating to live with, but it’s important not to tell your dog off if you spot these signs. Dogs live in the moment. They don’t understand that being told off when you get home is about something they did hours earlier, like destroying something or going to the toilet inside.
Although it can be frustrating, you should never punish your dog. Dogs learn best through reward-based learning.
You might think your dog feels guilty because of how they look and act when you return - this is a common misconception.
Dogs have spent centuries learning the nuances of our body language, facial expressions and behaviour. If they appear to look guilty when you return, it’s likely one of two things:
- they’re reading your body language and understand you’re unhappy with them
- they associate you coming home with being told off. They’re now anxious about being left and you returning home.
If you see a combination of any of the behaviours listed or have any other concerns about your dog when they’re left alone, please call our free Behaviour Support Line.
Separation anxiety or boredom?
It can be tricky to spot the signs of separation anxiety in dogs. By nature, they happen when our dogs are alone. If you think your dog might be anxious when you leave them, find out what they do when they’re alone.
- Spy on your dog! Set up your phone to video, peek through the window out of sight, or use a remote camera linked to a device. Set it up where your dog spends most of their time
- You may need to try a few different spots before you find the best place to record them
- Once the position of the camera is right, check the video for signs of anxiety listed above.
It’s tempting to view frustration or boredom as less important than anxiety. However, these are both negative emotions. Over time, the association of feeling this way while being left may develop into anxiety.
If you think your dog might be bored, make sure they have enough physical and mental stimulation throughout the day. Provide them with safe and suitable enrichment activities to keep them entertained when you’re not there. If your dog doesn’t eat food or play with toys when alone, but does when you’re with them, they’re likely to be anxious.
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If your dog is shut in a crate, single room, or area of the house when you go out, they may find this difficult. They may be struggling with the lack of choice rather than being left alone. They might not be able to sleep in their favourite place, for example.
If you’re reducing your dog’s space when you go out, consider if they’re somewhere they’d normally choose to spend time. Simply giving them access to more of the house or leaving them in a different room, if safe to do so when you’re not around, might prevent boredom.
Why do dogs develop separation anxiety?
Puppies and young dogs
The best time to teach your dog to be confident and relaxed when left alone is when they’re a puppy. This doesn’t mean it’s something that comes naturally to them. They begin life living in a group and normally stay close to their social group when they’re older.
Once you’ve checked out our advice on how to help your puppy settle into your home, you’ll need to teach your puppy that it's okay to be alone. This is important to prevent separation anxiety.
This should be done gradually. Start with a few minutes, and build the time they’re left slowly, but only if they’re relaxed. It’s very normal for puppies to need to be with you and supported for the first few days or weeks, depending on the individual.
If your puppy is already showing signs of distress when separated, please call our free Behavior Support Line.
Rescue dogs and new adoptions
If you’ve recently got a new dog who’s no longer a puppy, don’t worry. It’s never too late to help them feel calm and relaxed when left.
Unlike puppies, older dogs are likely to have established routines and preferences. So, they might be unsettled at first and show signs of separation anxiety. You may find that they follow you from room to room or seem uneasy when left alone.
It’s normal for dogs to feel anxious when they’re new to the home. With so many changes happening, having you by their side makes them feel safe. As they grow more confident in their new home, they’ll naturally start becoming more independent, and you can start to show them that being alone isn’t so bad.
Don’t forget they’ve had some major life changes. They’ll need time to adjust to a new home, routine, and family. With patience, consistency and support, they should start to feel more relaxed and more able to cope with whatever life throws at them. Find out how to help your new dog settle.
Changes in routine or environment
Just like us, dogs can experience stress and anxiety during big life changes, like moving house or losing a canine companion. This can leave them feeling unsettled and unsure of what to expect, leading them to seek you out for comfort and reassurance more often.
While these reactions are normal, they can be challenging for both of you.
Your dog may be very settled and able to be left at home, but not at family or friends’ houses, or when away on holiday. This is normal for lots of dogs as they might not have learnt it’s ok to be alone in these strange new places.
Imagine that your new job requires your working hours to change. This may not be a big deal for you, but it will probably affect your dog. When and where they are walked might change. They may eat at different times, and it might mean you spend less time together.
Dogs enjoy routine, so changes in how and when things happen could leave them feeling unsettled, anxious and in need of comfort. Find out how to get your dog into a new routine.
Medical conditions
If you think your dog is showing signs of separation anxiety, it’s important to see a vet. There may be an undiagnosed medical condition that’s difficult to see without a vet’s trained eye.
Here are some examples of something else that may be going on:
- loss of one of the senses, for example hearing or vision, may make your dog more dependent on you
- lots of health conditions, like those affecting the thyroid or adrenal glands, increase anxiety generally and may be tricky to spot. This can leave them less able to cope when left
- some symptoms of separation anxiety overlap with medical symptoms. For example, a dog with a urinary tract infection may be restless and go to the toilet in the house.
Genetics and early experiences
If you’re thinking about getting a puppy, it’s important to choose a breeder who prioritises physical, mental and behavioural health and only breeds from the healthiest dogs.
Puppies with parents and relatives that have separation anxiety are more likely to have separation anxiety themselves. Also, some medical conditions linked to separation anxiety can be inherited or influenced by genetics.
Females who experience stress during pregnancy are more likely to have anxious puppies. This can be further impacted by how the puppies are raised, when they are weaned and when they are separated from their mum. If they’re taken from their mum too soon, there is an increased risk of separation anxiety developing.
How to help a dog with separation anxiety
We understand that modern life comes with many demands on your time. It’s also difficult to navigate treating a dog with separation anxiety alone.
Getting in touch with a qualified professional is the best way to stop the anxiety from getting worse.
Call our free Behaviour Support Line as soon as you can if you think that your dog shows signs of anxiety when left. Our friendly team can offer qualified advice and arrange ongoing, expert support.
Quick wins for easing anxiety
Dogs can develop separation anxiety for different reasons and show their anxiety in different ways.
There are things you can put in place right away, while you work on the issue longer-term:
- Avoid leaving your dog alone, or for longer than they can cope with. We know how difficult this can be to organise. Unfortunately, this is the only way to stop the problem getting worse.
- Seek the help of friends, family, dog sitters and daycares if you can. Some workplaces will let you take your dog with you if they’re relaxed and confident there.
- Support your own wellbeing by finding activities you and your dog can enjoy together like meeting friends at dog-friendly cafes.
If you do need to leave your dog at home:
- take them for a walk beforehand and give them the opportunity to go to the toilet
- make sure they have a comfy, cosy, safe space, ideally where they normally choose to rest
- provide a range of suitable and safe toys and chews
- make sure they have access to drinking water
- move anything harmful or precious out of the way, so your dog doesn’t hurt themselves or accidentally damage things
- try leaving an item that smells of you or putting the radio or TV on
- arrange for post to be delivered elsewhere to prevent disturbing your dog
- make leaving and returning as uneventful as possible - calmly say goodbye or hello but don’t make too much of a fuss.
- consider getting a camera so you can see what they’re up to
- get home as soon as you can.
Gradual desensitisation and alone-time training
Working with a behaviour expert will improve your chances of success in the longer term. Most training plans are likely to include some, or a combination, of the below:
- at home training, without you leaving the house, progressing to leaving alone for very short amounts of time
- teaching your dog to be less reliant on your attention so they cope better when alone
- gradually changing how your dog feels about being left with a process called ‘desensitisation and counterconditioning’
- changing associations your dog has about you leaving. For example, picking up your keys = you are leaving them alone
- making sure that your dog has sufficient exercise and mental stimulation
- building your dog’s confidence in doing other things on their own.
While you wait for professional support, here are some things you can get started with to help your dog:
Settle training teaches your dog that resting when you’re busy is a good choice - and nothing to worry about. Here’s how to get started:
- follow our step-by-step settle training and watch our settle video
- choose an area that is quiet and familiar
- get a blanket for your dog to lie on and bite-sized treats.
How to teach an 'I'm busy' signal
Show your dog when you are busy. Dogs do best when signals are very clear. Teaching them an ‘I’m busy’ signal clearly shows that your attention is unavailable so they shouldn’t try to get it. This can help if your dog struggles being left alone because it teaches them to be more independent without being separate from you.
What you'll need
Somewhere your dog naturally likes to settle.
Your dog’s favourite chews or food toys.
An item to signal your attention is unavailable like a blanket, towel or scarf. Your dog won’t interact with this. The item must be put away when not in use.
A …
Setting up and building the association
Practise when your dog is most likely to relax, for example after a walk.
Place the item you’ve chosen as the signal on view.
Offer your dog the chew or food toy.
Sit quietly in the chair and ignore your dog.
Remove the signal from view …
Increasing the time
Place the signal on view.
Give your dog the chew or food toy.
Instead of putting the signal away immediately when your dog finishes, wait for one minute before removing it. Remember to ignore your dog completely.
Remove the signal and put it away.
You …
Add distractions gradually
Start to slowly stand while your dog is engaged in their activity.
Take a few steps across the room and sit back down.
Practise walking behind the baby gate and sitting back down again.
Complete household ‘tasks’ like talking on the phone, typing …
Leaving the room
Start to practise going beyond the gate.
Next, use a blanket to gradually limit your dog’s view. Over time, they should be fully relaxed when you’re out of sight. Use a camera to ensure they are not stressed.
Gradually increase how long you’re out of sight for. …
Troubleshooting
If at any point your dog starts to struggle, go back a step. This normally means reducing the length of time between finishing the chew and removing the signal. This will help them to feel relaxed before slowly building up the time again.
Always make sure your …
Daily habits that make a difference
Your dog’s daily routine can make a big difference to their ability to cope.
Lots of dogs thrive on routine. A consistent and predictable schedule can help them feel safer.
- make sure your dog has enough exercise so they are physically stimulated
- provide mental stimulation with toys, chews and enrichment activities
- basic training, tricks and playing games together is also stimulating and can help increase confidence
- provide a comfy bed or build them a safe space in their naturally chosen resting spots. Adding jumpers and cuddly clothing inside can be comforting
- calmly praise your dog when they choose an independent activity like moving away from you or settling in their safe space or another room
- if your dog follows you, avoid giving them any attention. This will help them learn that there is no benefit to following you.
When to seek professional help
Vet check
Changes in a dog's behaviour are often influenced by their physical health, even when there are no obvious signs of pain or illness. Many medical issues are subtle, develop gradually, or are masked by dogs coping well, so even very attentive owners may not notice anything wrong.
You should seek veterinary advice if:
- you’re worried your dog shows signs of separation anxiety
- your dog’s behaviour has recently changed
- your dog has generally become more fearful in situations, not just about being left
- your dog is seeking comfort or reassurance more often. This might be because they’re in pain or not feeling very well even if there are no other signs.
A short visit to your vet is a supportive first step that can either rule out any medical causes, resolve the behaviour completely, or make any behaviour support and training clearer, fairer, and more effective for you and your dog.
Professional behaviourist support
Living with a dog who struggles when left alone can be incredibly challenging. We know how difficult it is to manage a busy life at the best of times, without the added stress of your little pal being glued to your side 24/7.
If you need help to support your dog being happy when left alone, our experts are just a click or call away. Contact our Behaviour Support Line, request a call back with an expert, or book a support package now. Find out more about our Behaviour Services.
We help thousands of dog owners just like you every year. Our team offers a wide range of support depending on what you feel is best for you - even if it's just to check you're on the right track.
Real owner stories: you're not alone
I was at my wits’ end and had no idea how to deal with Barney’s separation anxiety. Jess’s advice was super clear, and I took plenty of notes to go away and put into practice.
Barney's owner
"The helpline is a fantastic tool to educate and help dog owners, and hopefully prevent them from getting their dogs rehomed because they can’t manage. It really felt like Jess understood my issues and provided sound advice that was easy to follow. We talked through several options, and if there was anything I didn’t quite understand, it was clarified for me.
There have been improvements already, and it has motivated me to push for more improvements, so Barney and I continue to get along.”
- Barney's owner
Contact our behaviour services
Whether you’re facing a tricky behaviour or feeling completely overwhelmed, we’re here to help. Our team of experts can offer advice, training and support.
Call us on 0303 003 6666
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Our free telephone service is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 7:30pm and Saturday and bank holidays 9:30am to 5pm.
FAQs about dog separation anxiety
Will my dog grow out of separation anxiety?
Unfortunately not. Separation anxiety does not normally resolve by itself, so your dog is unlikely to grow out of it.
Reaching out to your vet or a behaviourist is a great way to better understand why your dog experiences separation anxiety. Their tailored advice can help you to understand what causes your pet’s separation anxiety and make a plan on how to fix the problem.
How long does it take to train a dog with separation anxiety?
There isn’t an easy answer to this question - no matter how much we’d like there to be. All dogs are different and learn at their own pace. Some dogs adapt to the training and start feeling more relaxed when left quite quickly. For others, it might take weeks or months until they can be comfortably left alone for longer periods.
Factors that can affect how long training takes include:
- What the root cause of the behaviour is
- How long your dog has felt this way
- How often your dog is left on their own.
The things that will help your dog to learn quickly are consistency, patience, and professional support.
Can getting another dog help with separation anxiety?
Finding a friend to keep your anxious dog company can be tempting. While canine company may be reassuring for your dog, it won’t solve the separation anxiety. There are also several pitfalls to be aware of:
- if the dogs don’t get on, the situation could get far worse and be harder to navigate
- your existing dog might teach your new dog to perform unwanted behaviours such as ripping up cushions or barking
- both dogs could end up with a fear of being separated from each other. This is very problematic if they ever need vet treatment or similar.
Realistically, the best course of action is to resolve the separation anxiety first and then consider a friend for your dog.
Is separation anxiety more common in puppies?
Puppies might seem to struggle more with separation than adult dogs. This is because they’ve had little to no experience of it. Until they join their new home, most puppies spend all their time with their mum and siblings. Most adult dogs will have some experience of being left – even if they don’t enjoy it.
My rescue dog is struggling when left alone – what should I do?
Rescue dog separation anxiety may not always be what it seems Find out more about settling your rescue dog.
What’s the difference between normal barking and separation anxiety barking?
In general, separation anxiety related barking will happen when you’re getting ready to leave or after you’ve left the house Find out more about barking.
Can anxiety medication help with separation anxiety in dogs?
In most cases of separation anxiety, the training programme put in place should resolve the problem. In some cases, medication can be useful. This is a decision that should be made between your vet and a clinical or Veterinary Animal Behaviourist.
Things that might influence whether medication is used:
- the severity of the anxiety and the dog’s welfare
- if the behaviour doesn’t get better even when training is taking place
- if the dog suffers from anxiety in other aspects of their life
- if training can’t be started without medication
- other aspects in the environment that could affect how the dog feels.
Medications used to treat dogs and separation anxiety are prescription only. They are only available from your vet and should not be stopped without checking with your vet first. There is no scientific evidence that any over the counter or non-prescription products work in the treatment of separation anxiety in dogs.
Can I still leave my dog alone if they have separation anxiety?
Ideally, no. Separation anxiety will get worse if you keep leaving your dog alone. Make use of friends, family, daycare and dog sitters if you can. Look at our advice on how to help my dog with separation anxiety.
Will crate training help a dog with separation anxiety?
Crate training alone won’t stop your dog worrying about being left. In fact, there’s a risk that leaving a dog with separation anxiety inside a crate while you go out could make them afraid of the crate. Additionally, there is a serious risk of injury if a dog panics when left alone in a crate.
The only way to stop separation anxiety is to change how your dog feels about being left. A behaviourist is best placed to support you with this. A safe space may be part of the tailored plan put together by your behaviourist. If this is the case, a crate could possibly be used as a safe space. The door should always be fixed open though, and the crate should be introduced in a gradual and positive way.
Some rescue dogs might have good, or bad, experiences of being in a crate before coming to your home. If you don’t know your dog’s history, or whether they’ve been crate trained before, keep this in mind when starting your training.
How do I stop my dog crying when left alone?
It’s horrible to hear your dog crying when you need to leave them alone. The first step to helping them is to find out why they’re crying. Then you can look to fix the underlying cause.
What works for one dog, may not work for another. It’s always best to speak to a behaviourist who’ll be able to advise on what will help you and your dog best.
How long can you leave an adult dog alone?
At first, you should increase the time you are away from your dog very gradually. Once you have successfully built-up time apart, the length of time a dog can be left will depend on the individual.
Generally, if they’re relaxed, we’d recommend a maximum of four hours on their own. If you’re going to be out for longer, it’s best to organise for someone to pop in to give them a comfort break and keep them company.
When does separation anxiety start?
The signs of separation anxiety will often start in the first few minutes after the dog is left on their own. However, this is dependent on the individual dog.
You’ll be able to find out what your dog does by using a camera to record when you’re out. Pay attention to how they behave once you leave the house. If they’re relaxed and settled initially, they may not have separation anxiety but are being left for too long. Maybe they’re bored, something is disturbing them, or they need the toilet.
Can dogs have attachment issues?
In short, yes. ‘Attachment issues’ is another phrase commonly used to describe separation related behaviours, or separation anxiety.
Dogs are social animals. If they haven’t learned to spend time alone, they may rely more on their humans. Not all dogs who follow their families around the house or choose to be very close to them at all times have trouble being left home alone.
However, if you notice a change in your dog’s behaviour, and they’re suddenly stuck to you like glue, it may be a sign of something underlying. It’s best to seek help as early as possible to prevent and manage a potentially problematic behaviour.
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