Join The Club

Is your dog the clingiest person in your life?


We all love cuddles with our furry friends, but we also want them to be able to enjoy some alone time without us. But because of sudden changes in environment, a lack of training as a puppy, or a rescue’s past experiences - not all dogs handle being alone well.  


For many owners, separation anxiety is a difficult issue with no solution in sight, but the latest research shows there are surefire ways to overcome it.


Whether you want your puppy to grow up as an independent fur-friend, or you want to find a way to help your adult dog stay calm, here’s the lowdown on separation anxiety and how to tackle it effectively.  


What is dog separation anxiety?


Separation anxiety is behaviors that are triggered, or your dog seeming upset, when their guardian is about to leave, or when they are separated from the people they’re most attached to. 


Dog separation anxiety symptoms


Common signs of dog separation anxiety include:

  • Toilet accidents 
  • Excessive vocalization
  • Chewing, digging or damaging items 
  • Attempts to escape
  • Excessive pacing (usually seen on a camera when the owner is away)
  • Drooling, shaking and whining as you prepare to leave
  • Inability to settle or rest

What’s causing it?

While there is no conclusive single cause, research points to changes in the household (like divorce or moving), a change in the routine (perhaps a new job), or a single traumatic event (if a rescue was abandoned for example). 


Puppies being separated from their litters at too young an age has also been linked to anxiety-related behaviours, as well as a lack of adequate socialization.


What’s causing it?

While there is no conclusive single cause, research points to changes in the household (like divorce or moving), a change in the routine (perhaps a new job), or a single traumatic event (if a rescue was abandoned for example). 


Puppies being separated from their litters at too young an age has also been linked to anxiety-related behaviours, as well as a lack of adequate socialization.

How to help my dog with separation anxiety?


The most common, and generally the most successful treatment for dog separation anxiety is behavioral training. This behavioural approach involves 2 key steps:


  • Systematic desensitization - a behavioral technique that is similar to the treatment of phobias of humans, where a gradual increase in exposure is the central focus. This means slowly expanding the time in which your dog is left alone. Bear in mind this means starting from scratch and taking small baby steps. The initial separation period must be short enough that the behaviour doesn’t kick in. Thegoal is to teach the dog that the owner’s absence is not to be associated with problem behaviors.


  • Counterconditioning - this is creating a new, positive association with the feared thing (in this case separation). I.e. emotional states like anxiety are incompatible with other activities for dogs such as relaxation and eating. This is why many owners will feed their dog as they prepare to leave. 


How to help my dog with separation anxiety?


The most common, and generally the most successful treatment for dog separation anxiety is behavioral training. This behavioural approach involves 2 key steps:


  • Systematic desensitization - a behavioral technique that is similar to the treatment of phobias of humans, where a gradual increase in exposure is the central focus. This means slowly expanding the time in which your dog is left alone. Bear in mind this means starting from scratch and taking small baby steps. The initial separation period must be short enough that the behaviour doesn’t kick in. Thegoal is to teach the dog that the owner’s absence is not to be associated with problem behaviors.


  • Counterconditioning - this is creating a new, positive association with the feared thing (in this case separation). I.e. emotional states like anxiety are incompatible with other activities for dogs such as relaxation and eating. This is why many owners will feed their dog as they prepare to leave. 

A combination of systematic desensitization and counterconditioning for the treatment of separation anxiety was found to be 100% successful in a study of 91 dogs. That’s pretty good odds!


For an even better chance of success, add in these tips for dog separation anxiety:


  • Removing punishment - research has found that punishment based training can actually increase anxiety related behaviour. So switching to a positive reinforcement model can be very helpful.
  • Providing activities - leaving a nice chew toy, puzzle game or snuffle mat for your dog to engage in when left alone is a great way to keep them occupied and add that little extra counterconditioning. 
  • Pheromones- dog-appeasing pheromones are now available in electric diffusers, which was shown to help 83% of dogs in a study.  
  • Music - some research points to animals appearing less stressed or anxious when exposed to classical music. So a little radio or playlist of soothing sounds could be a good addition to your routine. 
  • Anxiety vest - a recent survey indicated that ThunderShirt showed an 80% effectiveness in calming dogs. These jackets add a little pressure around the body that some dogs find soothing. 
  • CBD - while there is no formal research suggesting a positive effect, anecdotally many owners have found CBD supplements can help their dog appear more calm and relaxed. 

  • Medication- dog anxiety medication can be prescribed by your vet if you feel the problem needs a helping hand. These should be used in combination with behavioural approaches for the best chance of effectiveness. 
  • Socialization for puppies - a wide range of positive experiences and human contact outside the home reduces the likelihood of a dog developing separation-related behavior.
  • Limit alone time - owners should avoid leaving dogs alone for too long, especially puppies under 5 months old. Ideally, no dog should be left alone for longer than 4 hours. 
  • Camera - some owners find installing video software allows them to measure their dog’s progress accurately.

Maybe you want to set your puppy up for a great start, help your rescue dog adjust or simply prepare your pooch for the end of the pandemic. Whatever your reason, by taking these steps you have a great chance of preventing, reducing, and even waving goodbye to separation anxiety issues with your dog. Goodbye stress and worry, hello calm and relaxation. Good luck!