How do I know if my dog has separation anxiety or is just bored?

Bored dogs may chew or dig, but they typically do it intermittently and are not in visible distress. Dogs with true separation anxiety show panic-like symptoms that begin within minutes of your departure — pacing, panting, drooling, howling, and destructive behavior focused on exit points (doors and windows). Setting up a camera to record your dog when you leave is the best way to distinguish between the two.

Can separation anxiety be cured?

Many dogs improve significantly with a consistent behavior modification program. Mild cases often resolve fully with desensitization training and environmental management. Moderate to severe cases may require a combination of behavior modification and medication, and while they may not be completely 'cured,' they can be managed to a level where both the dog and owner have a good quality of life.

Will getting a second dog help with separation anxiety?

Not usually. Separation anxiety is about the specific bond with the owner, not about being alone in general. A second dog may provide some companionship, but it does not address the underlying attachment anxiety. In some cases, the second dog can actually develop separation anxiety themselves by learning from the anxious dog.

Does crate training help with separation anxiety?

It depends on the individual dog. For some dogs, a crate provides a sense of security and serves as a safe den. For others, confinement in a crate during an anxiety episode can escalate panic and lead to injury (broken teeth, bloody paws from trying to escape). Never force a dog with separation anxiety into a crate — consult a veterinary behaviorist for guidance.

At what age does separation anxiety usually develop?

Separation anxiety can develop at any age, but it is most commonly seen in dogs between 1 and 3 years old. It can also develop in senior dogs as cognitive function changes. Adopted dogs, dogs that have experienced a change in routine or household, and dogs that were over-bonded during puppyhood are at higher risk.

Dog Separation Anxiety: Signs, Causes, and How to Help

Quick Answer: Separation anxiety is a genuine panic disorder, not a behavior problem caused by spite or disobedience. It affects an estimated 20-40% of dogs and manifests as destructive behavior, vocalization, house soiling, and visible distress when separated from their owner. Treatment involves graduated desensitization (teaching your dog to be comfortable alone in tiny increments), environmental enrichment, and in moderate-to-severe cases, veterinary-prescribed medication. Most dogs improve significantly with a consistent, patient approach.

You come home to find the door frame chewed to splinters, a neighbor’s note about hours of howling, and your dog trembling with relief at the sight of you. This is not a badly behaved dog. This is a dog in genuine distress.

Separation anxiety is one of the most common and most misunderstood behavioral conditions in dogs. It causes real suffering for dogs and real frustration for owners. But with the right approach, it is treatable. This guide covers everything you need to know — from recognizing the signs to implementing an effective treatment plan.

What Is Separation Anxiety?

Separation anxiety is a condition in which a dog experiences extreme distress when separated from their attachment figure — usually the primary owner. According to the ASPCA, it is not a training issue. It is an anxiety disorder that causes a genuine panic response.

Think of it this way: your dog is not destroying your couch because they are angry you left. They are destroying your couch because they are panicking, and the destruction is an attempt to escape confinement or cope with overwhelming anxiety.

This distinction matters because punishment-based responses — scolding your dog when you come home, rubbing their nose in an accident, or forcing them into a crate — will make separation anxiety worse, not better.

Signs and Symptoms of Separation Anxiety

Dogs with separation anxiety typically display some or all of the following behaviors when left alone (or sometimes when they merely sense that departure is imminent):

Behavioral Signs

Destructive behavior focused on exit points: Chewing, scratching, or digging at doors, windows, and gates. This is an escape attempt, not random destruction.
Excessive vocalization: Howling, barking, or whining that begins shortly after departure and continues for extended periods. Certain breeds like the Beagle and German Shepherd may be particularly vocal.
House soiling: Urinating or defecating inside despite being fully housetrained. This occurs because anxiety triggers the fight-or-flight response, which affects bladder and bowel control.
Pacing: Walking in repetitive patterns (circles or back and forth along a path) that do not occur when you are home.
Escape attempts: Trying to break out of crates, rooms, or the house, sometimes causing self-injury in the process.
Excessive drooling or panting: Visible salivation and heavy breathing that begins before or immediately after you leave.

Pre-Departure Anxiety

Many dogs with separation anxiety begin showing distress before you actually leave. They have learned to recognize departure cues — picking up keys, putting on shoes, grabbing your bag. When they notice these cues, you may see:

Following you from room to room (hyper-attachment or “Velcro dog” behavior)
Pacing, whining, or trembling
Refusing to eat
Attempting to block the door

What Separation Anxiety Is NOT

It is important to distinguish separation anxiety from other causes of the same behaviors:

Boredom and insufficient exercise: A dog that chews furniture because they have too much energy and not enough stimulation is not anxious — they are under-stimulated. Read our exercise requirements by breed guide to make sure your dog’s physical needs are met.
Incomplete housetraining: A dog that has accidents indoors may not be fully housetrained, especially if this happens whether you are home or not.
Juvenile destruction: Puppies and adolescent dogs chew on everything. This is normal developmental behavior, not anxiety.
Noise phobias: Some dogs react to thunder, fireworks, or other sounds. If destructive behavior only occurs during specific noise events, it may be a noise phobia rather than separation anxiety.

The best way to diagnose separation anxiety is to set up a camera (even a simple webcam or old phone) and record your dog when you leave. If you see panic-like behavior that begins within 5-15 minutes of departure and continues for an extended period, you are likely dealing with separation anxiety.

What Causes Separation Anxiety?

The exact causes are not fully understood, but several risk factors have been identified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists:

Change in Routine or Household

A major life change can trigger separation anxiety in dogs who were previously fine alone. Common triggers include:

Returning to work after an extended period at home (a major issue after the pandemic)
Moving to a new home
A family member leaving the household (divorce, child going to college)
A change in the owner’s work schedule
Loss of another pet in the household

Shelter and Rescue Dogs

Dogs that have been abandoned, surrendered, or rehomed are at higher risk. The experience of losing an attachment figure creates a heightened fear that it will happen again.

Over-Bonding During Puppyhood

Puppies who are never taught to be comfortable alone — who are carried everywhere, sleep in the owner’s bed from day one, and are never given independent time — can develop an unhealthy dependence that predisposes them to separation anxiety. This is why early puppy socialization and independence training are so important.

Breed Predisposition

Some breeds are more prone to separation anxiety due to their strong bonding instincts. Breeds frequently associated with separation anxiety include German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Vizslas, Border Collies, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Australian Shepherds. That said, any breed or mix can develop the condition.

Traumatic Events

A frightening experience while alone — a thunderstorm, a burglary, a loud construction event — can create an association between being alone and fear, triggering the onset of separation anxiety.

How to Treat Separation Anxiety

Treatment depends on the severity of the condition. Mild cases may respond to environmental management and basic desensitization. Moderate to severe cases typically require a structured behavior modification program and often benefit from veterinary-prescribed medication.

Step 1: Rule Out Medical Causes

Before assuming separation anxiety, have your veterinarian perform a physical examination. Some medical conditions (urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal issues, cognitive dysfunction in seniors) can mimic separation anxiety symptoms. Your vet can also assess the severity and discuss whether medication may be appropriate.

Step 2: Desensitization (The Core Treatment)

Desensitization is the most effective behavioral treatment for separation anxiety. The goal is to teach your dog that your departure is not a crisis — gradually, at a pace they can handle.

The protocol:

Start below your dog’s anxiety threshold. If your dog panics the moment you walk out the door, start by simply standing up, walking to the door, and sitting back down. Repeat until your dog shows no reaction.
Add tiny increments. Once your dog is comfortable with you approaching the door, open the door and close it without leaving. Then step outside for 1 second and come back. Then 2 seconds. Then 5.
Build duration incredibly slowly. Progress should be measured in seconds and minutes, not hours. A typical progression might look like: 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes. The jump to 30 minutes is often the hardest threshold to cross.
Vary the pattern. Do not always increase duration. Mix in shorter absences (2 minutes after a successful 15-minute absence) to prevent your dog from learning that each departure is longer than the last.
Use a camera to monitor. Watch your dog remotely during absences so you can return before they cross into panic. Every panic episode during training is a setback.
Be patient. This process takes weeks to months. Rushing it will set you back further than going slowly.

Critical rule: During the desensitization process, your dog should never be left alone for longer than they can comfortably handle. This means you may need to arrange for dog daycare, a pet sitter, a friend, or take your dog to work during the training period. Exposure to full-blown panic while you are training undermines the entire process.

Step 3: Manage Departure and Arrival Cues

Dogs with separation anxiety are hypervigilant about departure cues. You can reduce pre-departure anxiety by:

Desensitizing departure cues: Pick up your keys and put them down without leaving. Put on your shoes and sit on the couch. Grab your bag and walk to another room. Repeat until these cues no longer trigger anxiety.
Keeping departures low-key. Do not make a big production of leaving. A calm, matter-of-fact exit is less triggering than an emotional goodbye. No prolonged hugging, no “I am so sorry, I will be right back” speeches.
Keeping arrivals low-key. When you return, wait until your dog is calm before greeting them. This teaches them that arrivals are normal, not euphoric events that contrast with the misery of your absence.

Step 4: Environmental Enrichment

While enrichment alone does not cure separation anxiety, it can reduce the overall anxiety burden and provide a positive association with your departure:

Frozen stuffed KONG: A KONG Classic stuffed with peanut butter, kibble, and wet food, then frozen overnight, provides 30-90 minutes of focused activity. Give it to your dog as you leave so your departure is associated with something wonderful.
Puzzle toys: Food-dispensing toys engage your dog’s brain and redirect focus from your absence.
Background noise: Leaving a TV or radio on provides ambient sound that can mask external noises that trigger reactivity.
Comfortable resting area: Ensure your dog has a cozy bed in a comfortable location. See our best dog beds roundup for options.
Exercise before departure: A tired dog is a calmer dog. Provide vigorous exercise in the morning before you leave for the day. See our exercise requirements by breed guide for guidance.

Step 5: Consider Medication

For moderate to severe separation anxiety, veterinary-prescribed medication can make the difference between successful treatment and failure. Medication does not “drug” your dog into compliance — it lowers the baseline anxiety level enough that behavior modification can actually work.

Common medications prescribed for separation anxiety include:

Fluoxetine (Reconcile): An FDA-approved SSRI for canine separation anxiety. Takes 4-6 weeks to reach full effect.
Clomipramine (Clomicalm): A tricyclic antidepressant FDA-approved for separation anxiety in dogs.
Trazodone: Often used as a short-term anxiolytic for situational anxiety.
Gabapentin: Sometimes used in combination with other medications for anxiety.

Medication should always be combined with behavior modification. Medication alone does not teach new coping skills — it creates the neurochemical conditions under which behavior modification can succeed.

Consult a veterinary behaviorist (DACVB) for severe cases. These are veterinarians with advanced specialty training in animal behavior — they can create a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your specific dog.

Preventing Separation Anxiety

If you have a new puppy or a new dog, you can significantly reduce the risk of separation anxiety by establishing healthy independence from the start:

Teach Your Puppy to Be Alone

Start with short separations from day one — even 30 seconds behind a baby gate counts
Gradually increase alone time as your puppy grows
Provide a KONG or chew toy during separations so alone time is associated with good things
Crate train properly using positive methods — read our puppy crate training guide for detailed instructions

Avoid Over-Bonding

Do not carry your puppy everywhere — let them explore independently
Allow your puppy to nap in a separate room occasionally
Practice “place” training — teaching your dog to settle calmly on a mat or bed away from you
Avoid the temptation to take your puppy out of the crate the moment they cry. Wait for a moment of calm, then let them out

Socialize Broadly

Dogs who are well-socialized and confident in a variety of environments are less likely to develop anxiety disorders. Read our puppy socialization guide for a detailed timeline and checklist. A dog who has positive experiences in many contexts develops resilience that serves them for life.

Maintain a Routine

Dogs thrive on predictability. A consistent daily routine — same wake time, same feeding times, same walk schedule, same departure and arrival patterns — reduces overall anxiety and helps dogs feel secure.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Punishing anxiety behaviors. Your dog is not being spiteful. Punishment increases anxiety and makes the condition worse.
Flooding. Leaving your dog alone for 8 hours to “get used to it” is the opposite of desensitization. It causes full-blown panic and makes future separations harder.
Getting a second dog as a fix. The anxiety is about you, not about being alone in general.
Inconsistency. Desensitization only works if you are consistent. One panic episode can undo weeks of progress.
Relying on enrichment alone. A KONG is helpful, but it is not a treatment for genuine separation anxiety. It provides a temporary distraction — the underlying anxiety still needs to be addressed through desensitization and potentially medication.
Giving up too soon. Separation anxiety treatment is measured in weeks and months, not days. Progress is slow but real.

When to Seek Professional Help

Consult a veterinary behaviorist or certified applied animal behaviorist (CAAB) if:

Your dog is injuring themselves during panic episodes (broken teeth, bloody paws, self-inflicted wounds)
Destructive behavior is causing significant property damage
Your dog’s anxiety is not improving after 4-6 weeks of consistent desensitization
You are considering surrendering your dog due to the behavior
Your dog’s quality of life is significantly impaired

A veterinary behaviorist can prescribe medication, create a customized behavior modification plan, and provide the expert guidance that complex cases require. The investment in professional help is almost always worth it — separation anxiety is very treatable when approached correctly.

Puppy Crate Training Guide — Proper crate training prevents anxiety from developing
KONG Classic Review — The #1 enrichment tool for managing departures
Exercise Requirements by Breed — Physical exercise reduces overall anxiety
Puppy Socialization Guide — Early socialization builds resilience
Best Dog Beds — A comfortable den space helps anxious dogs
German Shepherd Breed Guide — A breed prone to separation anxiety
First Week With Your New Puppy — Establishing healthy independence from day one