Why ‘Separation Anxiety’ Isn’t Always the Full Story!

When a dog struggles to be left alone, the term ‘Separation Anxiety’, is often used very quickly. However, this label can be misleading if applied without careful assessment (de Asis et al., 2020). Separation-related behaviours do not arise from one single cause. They can be driven by different emotional and physical states, including:

• Fear

• Frustration

• Hyper-attachment

• Underdeveloped coping skills

• Physical discomfort or pain

Understanding what is driving the behaviour is essential. Without this clarity, well-meaning attempts to help can unintentionally make things worse.

What Are Separation-Related Behaviours?

Dogs experiencing difficulty being alone may show:

1. Barking, whining or howling once the owner leaves

2. Toileting indoors despite being house-trained

3. Vomiting or excessive salivation

4. Destruction of doors, windows or furniture

5. Intense greeting behaviour on return

6. Pacing, trembling or restlessness during pre-departure cues

7. Following the owner persistently around the home

8. Attempting to block departure

9. Self-directed behaviours such as over-grooming or self-mutilation
   
   

(Veterinary Ireland Journal, 2024)
Not every dog will display all of these signs. Some suffer quietly, with subtle behavioural changes that are easy to overlook.

What Is Happening Emotionally?

Separation-related behaviour is not simply ‘attention seeking’. It reflects an underlying emotional state.

Fear

Some dogs genuinely feel unsafe when left alone. If they have not been gradually taught to cope with short absences, or if they have experienced frightening events while alone, their nervous system may enter a state of distress quickly.

Frustration

Other dogs may struggle due to frustration, unmet needs or difficulty regulating arousal. They have not yet developed the skills required to settle independently.

Pain or Physical Discomfort

This factor is frequently underestimated, pain lowers a dog’s tolerance for stress. When physical discomfort combines with isolation, coping capacity reduces dramatically. Destruction, self-directed behaviour and sudden regression in house-training can all be influenced by underlying medical issues. For this reason, veterinary assessment is a critical component of any separation case.

Why ‘Crying It Out’ Does Not Work

A commonly circulated method is to ignore vocalisation and wait for the dog to ‘settle’. While some dogs may eventually stop barking, this does not mean they are coping. In many cases, the dog has simply shut down. Exposure to prolonged distress can elevate stress hormones for up to 48–72 hours, impairing learning and increasing sensitivity to future stressors. Separation training should always remain below the point of visible distress.  If a dog is barking, pacing or panicking, the duration was too long.

Does Sneaking Out Help?

Leaving secretly might seem logical, but predictability is stabilising for dogs. Consistent, calm departure cues allow the dog to anticipate what is happening and regulate accordingly (Amat et al., 2014). Removing predictability can increase anxiety rather than reduce it.

How to Approach Separation Training Safely

Effective separation work is gradual and structured:

Protect the Early Stage:

When bringing home a puppy or rescue dog, avoid prolonged absences during the initial settling period wherever possible. Early negative experiences can shape long-term associations. Where needed, arrange temporary support through sitters or trusted family members.

Build a Secure Base:

Designate a calm area where your dog will remain when alone. Spend time there together while you are present:

1. Resting

2. Feeding

3. Calm interaction

4. Gentle enrichment

If using a crate, introduce it gradually and positively. The door should never be closed abruptly or used as a containment solution before proper conditioning.

Start With Micro-Absences

Begin with extremely short durations, sometimes only seconds. Step out of sight and return before any signs of distress appear. Gradually increase duration only when your dog remains relaxed. Using a camera is strongly recommended so that you can monitor objectively rather than relying on assumption.

Consider Exercise Carefully

While physical exercise can help, highly stimulating walks may leave a dog physiologically aroused rather than calm. Sniffy walks, decompression time and mentally enriching activities are often more beneficial than high-adrenaline activity before departure.

Be Thoughtful with Food

Food-based enrichment can be useful, but it should not become a departure predictor. If a stuffed Kong is only given when you leave, it may trigger anticipatory stress. Additionally, if a dog copes only while eating and then begins to panic once finished, they are distracted — not learning to be alone. Food should be incorporated as part of a broader plan, not used as a standalone solution.

The Importance of Individual Assessment Every dog’s case is different. Separation-related behaviours can be influenced by:

1. Attachment style

2. Learning history

3. Environmental stressors

4. Underlying medical factors

5. Chronic Pain

Online guidance cannot replace a full behavioural and veterinary assessment. If your dog is struggling when left alone, a structured, tailored plan is essential to prevent setbacks and ensure progress is made safely and ethically.

Final Thoughts

Separation-related behaviours are not signs of a ‘bad’ or ‘spoilt’ dog. They are indicators that your dog is struggling to cope. With careful assessment, gradual training and where necessary, veterinary collaboration, meaningful progress is absolutely possible. If you are concerned about your dog’s ability to cope when alone, seeking professional input early can prevent long-term distress and protect your dog’s welfare.

Harriet Newman-Rose, BSc (Hons), MSc

Through Eyes of Dogs

References:

• Amat, M. et al. (2014) ‘Separation anxiety in dogs: the implications of predictability and contextual fear forbehavioural treatment’, Animal Welfare, 23(3), pp. 263–266. doi:10.7120/09627286.23.3.263.

• de Assis LS, Matos R, Pike TW, Burman OHP, Mills DS. Developing Diagnostic Frameworks in VeterinaryBehavioral Medicine: Disambiguating Separation Related Problems in Dogs. Front Vet Sci. 2020 Jan 17;6:499.doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00499. PMID: 32010714; PMCID: PMC6978995.

• RSPCA Statistics on Separation Anxiety related Behaviours: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/behaviour/separationrelatedbehaviour?p_l_back_url=%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dseparation&p_l_back_url_title=Search

• Separation Distress in Dogs’ (2024) Veterinary Ireland Journal, 14(8), pp. 440–442. Available at:https://search-ebscohostcom.proxy.library.lincoln.ac.uk/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,sso&db=a9h&AN=179008294&site=edslive&scope=site