You most likely never imagined that when adopting a dog you’d come home day after day to a dog that has destroyed the house, covered in drool, or had been barking all day disturbing the neighbors. Or even worse you haven’t been able to leave the house without your dog, not even for 10 minutes.
But here you are trying to figure out how to help your rescue dog with separation anxiety. First, I want you to know you aren’t alone, so many adopted dogs suffer from separation anxiety, mine included.
We’ll go into all the details below, but here is a quick overview of how to help your dog with separation anxiety:
- What anxiety signs to watch for
- Identify what triggers the separation anxiety
- Create a routine
- Make the necessary adjustments
- Decide when to seek professional help
- Medicine as the last resort
What is Dog Separation Anxiety?
Separation anxiety is a psychological disorder that manifests in excessive barking, whining or crying, chewing, digging, urination, defecation, and other destructive behavior that is accompanied by excessive panting and drooling when the dog is left alone.
Before you assume your dog has separation anxiety, consider ALL of your dog’s behaviors. Just because your dog misbehaves by chewing on the furniture, or urinating on the carpet when you leave them alone in the house, doesn’t mean they have separation anxiety. Are they getting enough physical and mental stimulation each day? They could just be bored.
Signs of Separation Anxiety
Witnessing your dog tearing up pillows, chewing door frames, or scratching walls can be distressing and may point to a deeper issue. These destructive behaviors are clear indicators that your dog isn’t just acting up; they’re experiencing intense distress and trying to soothe themselves.
Here is a list of the most common symptoms of separation anxiety to watch for:
- Excessive vocalization: Dogs may bark, whine, or howl excessively when left alone.
- Destructive behavior: Dogs may chew, scratch, or dig at doors, walls, furniture, or belongings in an attempt to escape or alleviate their anxiety.
- Inappropriate elimination: Dogs may urinate or defecate indoors, even if they are house-trained when left alone.
- Pacing or restlessness: Dogs may exhibit repetitive behaviors such as pacing, spinning, or circling when left alone.
- Escape attempts: Dogs may attempt to escape confinement by scratching at doors or windows or trying to jump over fences.
- Excessive salivation or drooling: Dogs may drool excessively when left alone due to anxiety.
- Loss of appetite: Dogs may refuse to eat when left alone.
- Depression: Dogs may exhibit signs of depression, such as lethargy, decreased interest in activities, or changes in sleeping patterns when separated from their owners.
- Excessive greeting behavior: Dogs may become overly excited or anxious when their owners return home, displaying frantic greeting behaviors such as jumping, pawing, or licking.
- Shadowing behavior: Dogs may follow their owners from room to room or exhibit clingy behavior when they sense that their owners are preparing to leave.
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Does My Dog Have Separation Anxiety?
It’s important to realize that all situations and dogs are unique. Your dog may show one, two, or six of the symptoms. Assess the entire situation and make sure your dog’s basic needs are being met before assuming your dog has separation anxiety.
If your dog picks up on cues that you are getting ready to leave and starts to follow you everywhere you go, paces at the door when you’re putting your shoes on, barks the entire time you are away, chews on your stuff and you come home to a puddle of drool in his crate… your dog has separation anxiety.
If you come home to find your dog has chewed your stuff, but he’s relaxed, sleeping on the couch when you walk in, he does NOT have separation anxiety, he is just bored and is self-entertaining himself!
Check out Spirit Dog’s Online Tackling Reactivity Bundle to help you with your dogs Separation Anxiety.
Dog Separation Anxiety Training
I’m sorry to tell you there is no curing a dog with separation anxiety quickly. It takes time, consistency, and a lot of patience. If you need a quick solution, then consider a dog sitter or doggy daycare.
Here are 5 easy training steps you can take to prevent or help your rescue dog with separation anxiety.
1. Creating a calming routine
You might not realize it, but your dog thrives on predictability. Creating a consistent daily routine with scheduled meals, walks, and playtimes gives your dog a sense of security. They learn to expect when you’ll come and go, which makes your absence less startling.
Calmly come and go when it’s time to leave the house. Don’t make a big deal about having to leave the house or when you come home. Don’t feel guilty about leaving your dog alone, they will pick up on your energy, and your feeling anxious about leaving them alone, only affirms why they should be anxious too.
When you come home, calmly say hello to your dog and move on to normal activities. Pet them only after they are calm. Don’t give an excited, jumpy, or barking dog attention.
2. Exercise your dog
Dogs need physical and mental exercise. Imagine if you were expected to stay home and never leave. It wouldn’t take long before you start to go a little stir-crazy, right?
How much exercise depends on your dog. Long walks, playing in the yard, short training sessions, puzzle toys, and frozen Kongs are all great ways to give your dog the exercise they need.
3. Create a relaxing space
Some trainers suggest leaving interactive toys for your dog when you leave. In my experience dogs with separation anxiety aren’t interested in playing games without their person.
Instead, I suggest creating a space that is just for your dog to relax. Set up a comfortable (and indestructible) dog bed, with calming music with a pheromone plugin. Essential oils, such as lavender or chamomile, are also great calming agents.
If your dog is interested, you can leave them a bone, a Kong filled with peanut butter, or a few special chew toys that are special for just when you leave. Never leave your dog with anything that could become a choking hazard. Many puzzle toys have small pieces and if chewed could be dangerous for your dog. These types of toys are best for training time together, while you can supervise them.
4. Set up a pet camera
Using a pet camera or nanny cam is a great way to observe how your pup is doing while you are away. Some of these cameras allow you to speak to your dog. But I found this scares our dogs more. They can’t figure out where the voice is coming from, plus the voice does not sound normal, which triggers them to bark.
By watching your dog when you leave you can make note of how long it takes for your dog to start getting stressed. Also, take note if any specific triggers cause your dog to become more anxious. Use this information in the next step…
5. Practice Leaving
I understand that many dog parents have to leave the house to go to work. For those of you who must leave the dog alone, unfortunately, there are no quick fixes, but you can practice before and after work and on weekends.
Start leaving your dog home alone for just a few minutes at a time. Watch the pet camera to see how your dog is doing. Before they start showing signs of separation anxiety, return home, as if nothing occurred. This could be as quick as going to get the mail or taking the car around the block. Remember, you always want to calmly come and go. You must act like this is no big deal. Slowly extend the time you leave your dog alone.
For some dogs being comfortable being left alone in another room even while their owner is home is a huge step. If this is your dog, do not allow your dog to follow you around the house everywhere. Use baby gates to stop your dog from following you. If they can’t lose sight of you without having a panic attack, how can they be expected to be okay when you leave the house?
Severe separation anxiety
For severe cases of separation anxiety, you may need to seek a certified dog trainer and veterinary behaviorist. They can offer personalized training sessions that cater to your dog’s specific needs.
For dogs struggling with severe separation anxiety, a veterinary behaviorist becomes crucial. These experts dig deeper than the surface level, often uncovering underlying health issues that might contribute to your dog’s anxiety. They create a behavior modification program and may suggest anti-anxiety medication as a temporary aid to complement the training. This dual approach helps to recalibrate your dog’s response to being alone, instilling calmness and reducing panic attacks.
Of course, this expertise comes with a heavy price tag. Be sure to find a trainer with experience with separation anxiety and check references.
If you want to try and help your dog by yourself or can’t afford a veterinary behaviorist, we recommend Spirit Dog’s Tackling Reactivity Bundle. The bundle includes Separation Anxiety Solutions, along with other courses that will assist you in every aspect of your dog’s anxiety.
Medical interventions for severe cases
There is no magic cure for dog separation anxiety. Don’t use drugs as an easy way out, that isn’t fair to your dog!
If you’ve tried all the training techniques and natural remedies, medication may be your last resort. Sometimes behavior modification and environmental changes just aren’t enough on their own. In these cases, medical intervention could provide much-needed relief. You shouldn’t feel guilty for this, you need to keep your dog healthy and happy, and medication may help.
First and foremost, booking an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss treatment options tailored to your dog’s specific circumstances.
Anti-anxiety medications help to soften the stress responses and make your dog more receptive to behavior training. Keep in mind that these medications typically take a few weeks to show effects and ongoing monitoring by your vet is key to ensure safety and efficacy.
Beyond traditional drug therapy, you might also explore new medications and alternative treatments. Some of the newer options might include supplements containing ingredients known to promote calmness, such as CBD oil.
While navigating these options may seem daunting, remember that each dog’s experience with anxiety is unique. The right solution for one may not work as effectively for another. Always work closely with your veterinarian to find a safe and effective treatment plan, adjusting as needed to help your dog find their calm.
Check out Spirit Dog’s Online Tackling Reactivity Bundle to help you with your dogs Separation Anxiety.
Home remedies for separation anxiety in dogs
In addition to the strategies mentioned above, these are a few of the natural home remedies that can help alleviate your dog’s anxiety:
- Calming Treats
- CBD Oil
- Essential oils, such as lavender or chamomile
- Mediation before you leave
- Music, dog calming music, white noise, or classical music
- Pheromone sprays
- Rescue Remedy
Always consult your veterinarian before using any natural remedies to ensure they are safe and appropriate for your dog.
To make it easier for you, I have listed all the products I mentioned in this article in my Amazon shop: Dogs with Separation Anxiety.
Q&A: Rescue dogs with separation anxiety
Can separation anxiety be cured?
Yes, it is possible to cure your dog’s separation anxiety. With the right tools, consistency, and possibly medication your dog can live a life without separation anxiety. It could take a month or sometimes in extreme cases, it may take up to a year. I know that’s now what you want to hear, but there is no quick fix when it comes to this serious condition.
How can I crate train a rescue dog with separation anxiety?
A crate can create a calm and safe place for many dogs. If your dog is a chewer or not yet potty trained, this is a great way to keep them out of trouble.
But some dogs with separation anxiety will do everything in their power to escape the crate. If this is your dog, then I recommend this Heavy Duty Dog Kennel.
To train your dog to enjoy the crate you can start feeding them in the crate, and play positive reinforcement games. Read How to crate train my dog in 3 easy steps for more details.
Will adopting another dog help?
I hear this question a lot! Should I get another dog to keep my current dog company? There isn’t a yes or no answer to this.
Some dogs will do better if they have a friend to stay with. There is also the possibility that the new dog will not help, or develop separation anxiety too… now you have two dogs with issues!
If your dog is dog-friendly, maybe try dog sitting for a friend’s dog for a few days to see if it helps. Consider fostering a dog, that way you aren’t committed long-term to a new dog.
📖 Read about how to introduce a second dog.
My experience with my dogs and separation anxiety
I didn’t know dogs could get separation anxiety until we adopted JJ (pictured above) in 2010 (he’s the dog in the picture). JJ would bark a lot and drool a ton when we left, even for just a few minutes. And if we let him stay out of his crate, he’d pee in the house, even though he was potty trained.
Even when my family was home, JJ would still be upset if I left. He’d wait and stare at the front door until I got back.
His behavior kept getting worse, so when I took him to the vet, she said he had separation anxiety. She suggested giving him Fluoxetine, kind of like Prozac for dogs. It helped a bit, but didn’t fix everything.
We’ve also had foster dogs with separation anxiety. Even our current dogs, Bear and Thunder both show mild symptoms of separation anxiety. Which I believe is a result of my working from home. They don’t have the experience of being alone very often.
Having a dog with bad separation anxiety can be tough. If you’re dealing with it too, you can find tips and info to help right here. And I really recommend reading “I’ll Be Home Soon: How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety” by Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D. It’s been super helpful for
The end of separation anxiety
Take pride in the small victories—like the first time you come home to no signs of distress or destruction. These moments are huge wins, affirming that your commitment to your dog’s well-being is paying off.
Patience is key. Relapses might occur, but with consistency and loving guidance, your dog can learn to find peace when alone.
So keep your head held high, knowing that the bond you share with your dog is strong enough to overcome the challenge of separation anxiety. With every game played, every soothing word spoken, and every calm return home, you’re reassuring your pup that solitude is safe. And this reassurance can lead to a happier, healthier life for your dog.
Please share your experience with your rescue dog’s separation anxiety, it could help someone else in our community with the same problem or question. I always reply to comments, so let’s start a conversation…
And then join our private and safe Rescue Dogs 101 Facebook group to get support from other community members.
Hi Debi, Belle is my3rd GSD with separation anxiety, I did not realise how common it is especially in rescued or rehomed animals. All 3 had a history of being 'escape artists' which I now see was down to their anxiety about being alone. I also tried medications with one of them,, which helped up to a point, But with Belle , because I am now retired, I was able to use behaviour modification techniques, starting with convincing her that she was safe with me. For the first 2 weeks, I kept her on a lead. Where ever I went she did, yes, even the bathroom! This may sound extreme but we were in the process of moving house when I took her on to save her from being put down. When we had been in the new house a week, I let her off the lead when inside, but did not leave her alone.She came shopping, and learned ro wait in the car , first with some one in with her, then for very short periods on her own, slowly extending the time. This training I did in WINTER, no messing with dogs in cars in the heat of summer. Heat stress is a killer. I believe heat stress was a part of her trauma history. I know she was kept outside all the time from12 weeks on a rural property. She has a very heavy double coat and if she had no escape from the heat of summer, she could have been distressed for weeks through the hotter part of the year. She lives inside with us and on hot days if invited outside, she will go out to relieve herself, then shoot back in to lie on the cool tiles. We soak her fur suing a watering can when it is really hot Belle also had anxiety related IBS, with frequent sloppy motions(never in the house). This has been fixed with the chicken and rice diet. Expensive to maintain long term but cheaper than medicating.
18 months down the track, I can leave Belle alone in the house for up to 4 hours(aircon on, plenty of water) and although waggy tailed when we return, there is no sign of significant distress. We always say "i'll be back", as we leave, and "look after the house". Her ears prick up when we say this and she watches intently as we go, but does not get up to follow. I'd better stop, could write reams. Bottom line, see the vet, and be patient, consistent and calm.
Thank you so much for sharing your story Evelyn. I’m positive it will help someone else struggling with their pup. there is always hope, we just need to be patient, stay positive and be consitent.