Glossary

Separation anxiety

Real distress shown by a dog when left alone or away from a particular person, such as howling, destruction, pacing or house soiling.

Also called: separation distress, isolation distress, home alone anxiety

Separation anxiety is a panic-like reaction that begins when a dog is left by itself or separated from a person it is attached to. Typical signs are howling or barking, destroying doors and windows, pacing, drooling and house soiling, often within minutes of the owner leaving. Some dogs also follow the owner everywhere.

It is not spite or boredom. A bored dog may chew things but can settle, while a dog with separation anxiety is distressed, and punishment makes it worse. Video recording shows what happens during absences.

Because other problems, such as incomplete house training or medical issues, can look similar, a veterinarian should check the dog first. Treatment is gradual and often needs the help of a veterinary behaviorist or qualified trainer, and sometimes medication prescribed by a veterinarian. Do not leave a dog in a crate during the worst episodes without professional advice.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

In the index now

Related terms

Crate training Teaching a dog to treat a crate as a safe, comfortable place to rest, used for house training, travel and recovery. Enrichment Giving a dog chances to use its natural abilities, such as sniffing, chewing, foraging and problem solving, to improve its well-being. Stress signals Small changes in behavior, such as panting without heat, yawning, shaking off or a tucked tail, that show a dog is uneasy. Desensitization and counter-conditioning A training plan that exposes a dog to a fear trigger at a level it can handle while pairing it with something good, to change how the dog feels.