Separation anxiety in dogs?

You leave the house, and within seconds, your dog is pacing, whining, scratching at the door, or howling. You might come back to chewed furniture, soiled floors, or a stressed, panting pup who has not touched their water all day.

This could be separation anxiety, and if that is the term you are searching for, you are in the right place. It’s worth knowing that labels can sometimes oversimplify what’s really going on. Dogs can show these behaviours for various reasons, but one thing is sure: they don’t currently have the skills to cope with being left alone yet.

The good news is that regardless of the label, we can help your dog feel better, teach them the necessary skills, and make life easier for both of you.

What people mean by “separation anxiety”

When people say separation anxiety, they usually mean a dog struggles when left alone or separated from their favourite person. Dogs may vocalise, chew, toilet indoors, or pace. In many cases, the dog looks panicked and may show stress signals like lip licking, panting, or other subtle changes in body posture. There isn’t a single way of showing distress that fits every dog, which is why looking beyond the label is so useful when designing a plan.

Signs your dog might be struggling when left alone

Barking, whining, or howling after you leave
Chewing furniture, scratching doors, or tearing up objects
Toileting indoors, even when they’re otherwise housetrained
Pacing, circling, or restlessness
Excessive drooling or panting
Trying to escape through doors or windows
Becoming unsettled when you prepare to leave

These behaviours are not “naughtiness.” They occur because the current setup and learning history around being left alone make it hard for your dog to succeed.

Does it matter if it is boredom, frustration, or anxiety?

From a training perspective, not really. Labels can help me talk about patterns, but they do not change what I do to help a dog. Functions can overlap and shift over time. When I work with a dog who seems to struggle, I look at antecedents, behaviour, and consequences, along with the routine and goals of the entire family, to develop a plan that fits the household.

How can I help

I use science-based, kind, and successful training to help your dog learn that being left alone is safe. Every plan is tailored to your dog and your home. We go at your dog’s pace and avoid outdated “cry it out” approaches.

I offer:

4-week and 8-week online training packages
One-off consultations if you are unsure where to start
A free 15-minute discovery call where we can get to know each other, talk briefly about your goals, and see if working together feels like a good fit

With the right, successful plan, dogs can learn to feel safe, relaxed, and confident when left alone, and you can finally relax too.

📞 Book your free call here
or
🐾 Explore separation anxiety training packages

Final thoughts

It is completely natural to feel worried or frustrated when your dog struggles with being left alone. Whether we call it separation anxiety, frustration, boredom, or a skills gap, what matters is helping your dog succeed. You do not have to figure it out on your own. Certified separation anxiety trainers all over the world (like myself) are there to help you.

What does separation anxiety in dogs look like?