If your dog routinely shows any of these behaviours when left, it’s often automatically labelled as \u2018separation anxiety’. But actually that can be misleading and prevent you getting to the heart of the matter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s far better to first call it \u2018separation related behaviour issues\u2019. Before you do anything else, have a think about if it could be something other than anxiety. And if it has a simpler answer than a full-on behaviour modification programme.<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"Lurcher](\"https:\/\/tails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/blog-square-images-11.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nIf my dog doesn’t have separation anxiety, what could it be?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n- A dog who barks or howls when left alone can often be bored<\/a>. They could be on their own for too long, under-exercised, under-enriched, or have too little social contact.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- A dog who pees or poos in the house when the owner is gone may need a little more work on their toilet training. Or if they’re usually reliable in the house, this might be a sign they’re being left for too long or need more frequent toilet trips before being left.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- A dog who paces and won\u2019t settle when left might have been overexcited from a energetic walk. While we hope these will make them tired enough they’ll sleep while we’re away, our dogs need the chance to relax before being left so they’re not still buzzing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- A \u2018velcro dog\u2019 who follows you everywhere in the house might need teaching how to chill out.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- A dog who chews thing when home alone could be bored or frustrated, or make them feel relaxed. They might need a toy or more enrichment when their human is away.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- A dog who’s over-joyed to see you when you get back may just be showing their affection. But this can be exacerbated by being left for too long.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
None of these alone are necessarily \u2018separation anxiety\u2019 in your dog, but they are \u2018separation related behaviour issues\u2019 \u2013 and they still need dealing with appropriately. Unfortunately a lot of advice online, on social media or in older books, can actually makes things worse. That’s why it’s always best to get advice from an accredited behaviourist<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFind more tips and info on boredom in dogs<\/a>, toilet training<\/a><\/em>, teaching your dog to be alone<\/a><\/em>, and how to stop your dog chewing things<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCan dogs have FOMO?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nAs an example, you\u2019ll find advice that says you should stop your puppy or dog following you around at home as this’ll teach them they don\u2019t always have access to you and help them have more confidence at being left. However, in a dog that’s closely bonded to their person, who’s been encouraged to want to watch them and be with them, and who’s learned we’re fun to be around \u2013 it’s more likely to cause frustration and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If they don\u2019t know what we’re doing, it could be something wildly exciting! It’s far better they learn by experience that most of the things we do when we leave the room are really boring. And that despite their view we’re some kind of a god, we’re actually often really dull, so not worth following all the time – and it\u2019s much better just to lie down and chew something tasty that’s meant for them.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Group](\"https:\/\/tails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/blog-square-images-12.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhat to look at before separation anxiety in dogs<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nBefore you jump to a separation anxiety label, run through this checklist \u2013 and address these issues first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. What does your dog actually do when you leave them?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nFew people actually know what their dog does when they leave \u2013 because (obviously) they aren\u2019t there to witness it. Maybe they mostly rest, or maybe they get really distressed. You need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Solution<\/strong>: Use technology. Set up a webcam so you can see what’s happening when you aren\u2019t there. If your dog is obviously distressed – constantly panting, pacing, barking, howling, digging etc – skip the rest of this blog and go straight to the last paragraph. You need behaviourist help now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Is your dog getting enough exercise?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nAll dogs need daily exercise. Some can manage with as little as half an hour a day (every single day!), but most need more. Working breeds (gundogs, working dogs, herding dogs, terriers, many hounds \u2013 any dogs who are bred to have a job) need far more. Not only do they need physical exercise, but many need mental challenges too and a chance to succeed \u2013 so reward-based training, interactive toys, games etc. This will prevent boredom, frustration and too much pent-up energy, which can result in barking, chewing and destruction when left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Solution<\/strong>: If you think your dog isn\u2019t getting enough exercise, you need to address this yourself. And consider a dog walker if you’re going to be out any length of time. Consider dog sports too if you\u2019ve got an active breed to give them a \u2018job\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNo matter what time you start work, walk your dog before you leave them \u2013 and then give them at least half an hour to de-buzz and settle from the excitement of a walk before you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find out more about how much exercise your dog needs<\/a> and enrichment ideas<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Cross](\"https:\/\/tails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/blog-square-images-13.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n3. Is your dog properly toilet trained? Or (more commonly seen) are you leaving them for too long?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nIf you regularly come back to pee or poo, you may need to rethink your toilet training, but more likely (if they’re reliable the rest of the time), rethink the length of time you’re leaving them. Small dogs especially can\u2019t hold on for very long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Solution<\/strong>: Don\u2019t leave your adult dog alone for longer than four hours, less in small breeds, puppies and older dogs. And if necessary, get someone to come in to take them out \u2013 or consider day care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n4. Does your dog have things to do when you’re away?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nBeing left alone is boring for dogs. We’re their life and without us there’s absolutely nothing to do. Can you imagine how bored you’d be sitting alone in a room with absolutely nothing for hours? They don\u2019t have Netflix, books etc so what can a dog do\u2026? Chew stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Solution<\/strong>: While dogs don\u2019t generally play on their own, leaving safe toys they can chew and gnaw on might well save your furniture. Far better, if you’re going to be away for any length of time, find someone who can come in and keep them company, play games or take them for a walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRemove temptation\u2026 Tidy up things you don\u2019t want them to chew or could be dangerous and use baby gates if necessary to keep them in a secure, comfortable, quiet part of the house. Don\u2019t use a crate \u2013 as that extreme confinement can cause more anxiety, frustration and stress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Are there strange noises or disruptions, or people constantly passing the window that mean your dog can\u2019t settle and feel they need to bark at them?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nSolution<\/strong>: Find a quieter area of the house to leave them, use curtains, and leave a radio or TV on to make noises less obvious.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFind out more about why dogs bark and how to help<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n6. And the number one cause\u2026 Are you leaving your dog for too long too often?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nSolution<\/strong>: Dogs are social creatures \u2013 they have quite literally evolved that way. They don’t do well on their own, and while you might be able to train your dog to tolerate it, hardly any enjoy it. If this is a regular thing, you need to look at management options. <\/p>\n\n\n\nCan you take your dog to work? Or could you work from home? Can you find a family member or friend who will look after your dog while you’re away? Or is there a good day care or dog walker service nearby?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Always look for the cause<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nVery often what we label as separation anxiety is actually our problem in expecting a dog not to behave like a dog \u2013 and making it their problem when they do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- A dog who pees or poos in the house when the owner is gone may need a little more work on their toilet training. Or if they’re usually reliable in the house, this might be a sign they’re being left for too long or need more frequent toilet trips before being left.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- A dog who paces and won\u2019t settle when left might have been overexcited from a energetic walk. While we hope these will make them tired enough they’ll sleep while we’re away, our dogs need the chance to relax before being left so they’re not still buzzing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- A \u2018velcro dog\u2019 who follows you everywhere in the house might need teaching how to chill out.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- A dog who chews thing when home alone could be bored or frustrated, or make them feel relaxed. They might need a toy or more enrichment when their human is away.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- A dog who’s over-joyed to see you when you get back may just be showing their affection. But this can be exacerbated by being left for too long.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
None of these alone are necessarily \u2018separation anxiety\u2019 in your dog, but they are \u2018separation related behaviour issues\u2019 \u2013 and they still need dealing with appropriately. Unfortunately a lot of advice online, on social media or in older books, can actually makes things worse. That’s why it’s always best to get advice from an accredited behaviourist<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find more tips and info on boredom in dogs<\/a>, toilet training<\/a><\/em>, teaching your dog to be alone<\/a><\/em>, and how to stop your dog chewing things<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can dogs have FOMO?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
As an example, you\u2019ll find advice that says you should stop your puppy or dog following you around at home as this’ll teach them they don\u2019t always have access to you and help them have more confidence at being left. However, in a dog that’s closely bonded to their person, who’s been encouraged to want to watch them and be with them, and who’s learned we’re fun to be around \u2013 it’s more likely to cause frustration and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If they don\u2019t know what we’re doing, it could be something wildly exciting! It’s far better they learn by experience that most of the things we do when we leave the room are really boring. And that despite their view we’re some kind of a god, we’re actually often really dull, so not worth following all the time – and it\u2019s much better just to lie down and chew something tasty that’s meant for them.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhat to look at before separation anxiety in dogs<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Before you jump to a separation anxiety label, run through this checklist \u2013 and address these issues first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. What does your dog actually do when you leave them?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Few people actually know what their dog does when they leave \u2013 because (obviously) they aren\u2019t there to witness it. Maybe they mostly rest, or maybe they get really distressed. You need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Solution<\/strong>: Use technology. Set up a webcam so you can see what’s happening when you aren\u2019t there. If your dog is obviously distressed – constantly panting, pacing, barking, howling, digging etc – skip the rest of this blog and go straight to the last paragraph. You need behaviourist help now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Is your dog getting enough exercise?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
All dogs need daily exercise. Some can manage with as little as half an hour a day (every single day!), but most need more. Working breeds (gundogs, working dogs, herding dogs, terriers, many hounds \u2013 any dogs who are bred to have a job) need far more. Not only do they need physical exercise, but many need mental challenges too and a chance to succeed \u2013 so reward-based training, interactive toys, games etc. This will prevent boredom, frustration and too much pent-up energy, which can result in barking, chewing and destruction when left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Solution<\/strong>: If you think your dog isn\u2019t getting enough exercise, you need to address this yourself. And consider a dog walker if you’re going to be out any length of time. Consider dog sports too if you\u2019ve got an active breed to give them a \u2018job\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No matter what time you start work, walk your dog before you leave them \u2013 and then give them at least half an hour to de-buzz and settle from the excitement of a walk before you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find out more about how much exercise your dog needs<\/a> and enrichment ideas<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n3. Is your dog properly toilet trained? Or (more commonly seen) are you leaving them for too long?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
If you regularly come back to pee or poo, you may need to rethink your toilet training, but more likely (if they’re reliable the rest of the time), rethink the length of time you’re leaving them. Small dogs especially can\u2019t hold on for very long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Solution<\/strong>: Don\u2019t leave your adult dog alone for longer than four hours, less in small breeds, puppies and older dogs. And if necessary, get someone to come in to take them out \u2013 or consider day care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Does your dog have things to do when you’re away?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Being left alone is boring for dogs. We’re their life and without us there’s absolutely nothing to do. Can you imagine how bored you’d be sitting alone in a room with absolutely nothing for hours? They don\u2019t have Netflix, books etc so what can a dog do\u2026? Chew stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Solution<\/strong>: While dogs don\u2019t generally play on their own, leaving safe toys they can chew and gnaw on might well save your furniture. Far better, if you’re going to be away for any length of time, find someone who can come in and keep them company, play games or take them for a walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remove temptation\u2026 Tidy up things you don\u2019t want them to chew or could be dangerous and use baby gates if necessary to keep them in a secure, comfortable, quiet part of the house. Don\u2019t use a crate \u2013 as that extreme confinement can cause more anxiety, frustration and stress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Are there strange noises or disruptions, or people constantly passing the window that mean your dog can\u2019t settle and feel they need to bark at them?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Solution<\/strong>: Find a quieter area of the house to leave them, use curtains, and leave a radio or TV on to make noises less obvious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find out more about why dogs bark and how to help<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. And the number one cause\u2026 Are you leaving your dog for too long too often?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Solution<\/strong>: Dogs are social creatures \u2013 they have quite literally evolved that way. They don’t do well on their own, and while you might be able to train your dog to tolerate it, hardly any enjoy it. If this is a regular thing, you need to look at management options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you take your dog to work? Or could you work from home? Can you find a family member or friend who will look after your dog while you’re away? Or is there a good day care or dog walker service nearby?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Always look for the cause<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Very often what we label as separation anxiety is actually our problem in expecting a dog not to behave like a dog \u2013 and making it their problem when they do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- A dog who’s over-joyed to see you when you get back may just be showing their affection. But this can be exacerbated by being left for too long.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- A dog who chews thing when home alone could be bored or frustrated, or make them feel relaxed. They might need a toy or more enrichment when their human is away.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- A \u2018velcro dog\u2019 who follows you everywhere in the house might need teaching how to chill out.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- A dog who paces and won\u2019t settle when left might have been overexcited from a energetic walk. While we hope these will make them tired enough they’ll sleep while we’re away, our dogs need the chance to relax before being left so they’re not still buzzing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n