Dogs are social and crave company by nature – that’s why they bond so well with us. However, if they’re not taught how to deal with being alone, this can lead to separation-related problems, commonly known as separation anxiety.
Keep reading to discover the common symptoms of puppy separation anxiety, and find out how you can help them overcome it with our useful guide.
Why do puppies get separation anxiety?
It’s easy to think your dog’s being naughty or is annoyed at you for leaving them, however this couldn’t be further from the truth. Puppy separation anxiety arises when they haven’t been taught the coping strategies they need to deal with time alone, and is simply fear of being alone – and can be viewed as similar to a human panic attack.
It’s incredibly difficult to deal with a dog or puppy that can’t be left alone, in fact, it’s probably one of the hardest behavioural problems to overcome. Like many behaviour related problems however, prevention is far better than a cure.
In the vast majority of cases, puppy separation anxiety starts at the very beginning of their life with you because being alone is simply not something that is ‘safe’ for a puppy or that they have the mental capacity for.
Owners can become so besotted by their new puppy that they’re delighted when they want to follow them everywhere – and this bonding is vitally important. But, if they grow up expecting to constantly be with you every second of the day, without you building their confidence or teaching some independence, this is what they’re going to grow up to expect.
Then suddenly when you need to go out without them, you discover that their world crumbles without you.
In other cases, a new owner may shut their puppy in the kitchen to spend their very first nights alone, and this enforces the fact that when they’re left, it’s distressing and scary.
Puppies may need to sleep in the same room as their owner for much of their puppyhood to create a secure attachment – and with this security comes the independence they need to become more confident and so learn, with repeated short and positive experiences, that being home alone isn’t scary.
- Excessive barking and/or howling when left.
- Chewing and other destructive behaviours.
- Loss of toilet training.
- Scratching or digging at doors.
- Pacing.
- Excessive panting and salivation.
- Attempts to escape.
- Self-mutilation.
- Aggressive behaviours
How to help prevent puppy separation anxiety from the start
When it comes to puppy separation anxiety, there are a few ways in which you can help your four-legged friend from the start. Be patient and never scold or raise your voice at your puppy, you should also never shut them away and leave them to cry alone.
Here are 5 ways you can help your puppy with their separation anxiety, and how to get it right from the moment they start showing the signs of it.
From the minute you bring your puppy home, they need to learn that they can trust you to be there for them, but there are times when they can’t always be with you – and that’s fine. Set up baby gates, and make a habit of going off into a different room and leaving them on their own for a few minutes with something enjoyable to occupy them like their dinner or a treat.
Just quietly walk away, and return with no fuss at all. Make your coming and going a part of life from the very start and give them the confidence to be able to deal with that. Have a shower without them, go for a walk around the garden – anything to teach them right from the beginning that not being with you every minute is not a crisis, and if you give them something tasty to occupy them with, it can even be seen as something to look forward to.
Then you can slowly start to go out without your puppy for a minute, then five minutes, then 10 minutes, then 30 minutes - until they’re happy to stay on their own for an hour, but always make sure that you take it very slowly. Build this slowly and gradually – always being ready to go back several steps if they are worried.
Leave them in a totally safe area where they feel comfortable with something to take their mind off your absence. Use stuffed Kong’s filled with their favourite yummy snacks to keep them occupied. Make sure that your puppy can easily access the food treats – the idea is that it is an enjoyable, positive reward, and not something to get frustrated with.
Use technology to help you know exactly what’s going on when you leave, so you genuinely know your puppy is happy and not distressed. Set up a webcam with an app so you can watch your puppy on your smartphone both while you’re practising alone time, and when you leave them for real.
From the minute you bring your puppy home, they need to learn that they can trust you to be there for them, but there are times when they can’t always be with you – and that’s fine. Remember that separation-related behaviour problems arise because a dog can’t cope with being alone and for them it feels ‘unsafe’. It is important that if they are struggling during this training, you return to them quickly. This training is all about teaching them that they can cope on their own and so there is no benefit to be gained from them feeling distressed, frustrated or fearful – in fact it will slow progress down and will quite likely teach them the very opposite from what you intended.
Time spent teaching your puppy that being on their own is safe and part of being a family dog will pay off in the future – but remember that dogs need company and social contact, and no dog is happy being regularly left alone for hours on end.
Helping puppies with separation anxiety
If you already have a puppy with separation anxiety, there are a few things you can try to help them overcome the problem.
Rule out any other problems
First, ensure your puppy’s not acting out due to another problem. They could be bored, or not be getting enough social company or physical or mental exercise, which may make them act out.
These symptoms are often lumped in with puppy separation anxiety, but actually they are fairly easily solved with more exercise. Try puppy brain games like interactive toys and consider stimulating their mind through training. Alternatively, you can try leaving the radio on or putting them in one room where they’re comfortable and happy, preferably one where there are no outside stimuli which may cause them to bark.
Once again, watching your puppy on a webcam will help you decide whether it’s boredom – in which cases the behaviours will be done fairly calmly and often intermittently, with sleep in between. Or, if it’s separation anxiety, it’s more likely to be constant, and your puppy with display obvious signs of stress.
It’s important to note that sometimes puppies may start off as bored, but may work themselves up and become stressed and anxious. If you’re unsure, find a professional behaviourist experienced in puppy anxiety and have them come and assess your pup and help you with a behaviour modification plan.
Tips for mild cases of puppy separation anxiety:
- Start right back at the beginning and teach them how to deal with time apart from you before leaving them again. During this time, they should not be left alone, so you may need to get a pet sitter or a friend to help you.
- When you do start to leave them again, build this up very slowly – and use a webcam so you know your dog is relaxed.
- Leave them with a safe, interactive toy (such as a stuffed Kong) and with the radio or TV on.
- Make sure your dog is tired when you leave them – that way they are more likely to sleep than if they were full of energy – so make sure they’ve had a good walk or game first.
- Don’t make a big fuss about leaving or coming back, this just makes your going even more of an ‘event’ for your dog.
- Try and vary your leaving routine so your dog doesn’t get wound up expecting your imminent departure.
- If your puppy has a more serious separation-related problem, you should ask your vet, or contact an accredited behaviourist to help you work out a programme to try and overcome it.
Puppy separation anxiety is better prevented than cured. However, it’s important to recognise that dogs are social animals, and if they’re going to be frequently left alone for long periods of time, it may not be a good idea to get a dog.
For more puppy advice and guides, take a look at our content hub, full of useful information on how to raise a healthy and happy dog. Or, if you want to learn more ways to help your puppy through their puppyhood, take a look at our toilet training guide, to help you get started.
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