Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Breed-Specific Solutions & Tips

Understanding Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Separation anxiety in dogs can cause real stress for both you and your pet. Recognizing early signs and understanding what leads to this behavior can help you respond with the right support and training.

What Is Separation Anxiety

• Separation anxiety in dogs happens when your dog struggles to cope with being away from you or other family members. Dogs with this problem often become anxious, stressed, or even scared when left alone, even for short periods.
• This stress is caused by a strong emotional attachment. When dogs with separation anxiety sense their owner is about to leave, they may start to panic or show physical symptoms.
• Unlike mild boredom or loneliness, true separation anxiety is a behavior issue. It leads to distress and can affect dogs of any age or breed.

Signs of Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Dogs with separation anxiety often show a pattern of noticeable behaviors. Some common signs include:

• Howling, barking, or whining when you leave
• Destroying furniture, doors, or other household items
• Scratching at doors or windows
• Pacing or trying to escape the house
• Excessive drooling or panting

Other dogs might go to the bathroom indoors, even if they are house-trained. Some will shadow you from room to room and become visibly unsettled when you pick up your keys or put on your shoes. The intensity and type of these behaviors can be very different in each dog. Identifying these warning signs early makes it easier to help your dog. The ASPCA provides useful information on the main symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs.

Separation-Related Behaviours and Warning Signs

Separation-related behaviours are actions your dog takes to cope with the stress or anxiety of being alone. These can be broken down into two categories: mild warning signs and severe distress behaviors.

Mild warning signs:

• Restlessness when you get ready to leave
• Watching you closely before departure
• Minor whining or whimpering

Severe distress behaviors:

• Chewing and destruction near doors or windows
• Repetitive howling or barking
• Self-harm, such as licking or biting themselves

You may also notice your dog refusing to eat when left alone. Dogs can even injure themselves trying to escape. Such behaviors point to real anxiety and are different from mischief or lack of training.

Contributing Factors to Anxiety in Dogs

Several factors can make dogs more prone to anxiety or separation-related behavior. Common causes are:

• Sudden changes in schedule, like a new job or school routine
• Moving to a new home
• Major changes in family structure, such as divorce or a new baby
• Lack of early socialization or positive experiences alone

Breed tendencies can also play a role. Some dogs are naturally more attached or sensitive and may react more strongly to separation. Dogs that have been rehomed or have experienced abandonment are also at higher risk for separation anxiety. Frustration from isolation, fear of being alone, or previous trauma all increase the chances of this condition developing. Recognizing these factors can help you take steps to lower your dog’s anxiety and prevent further stress.

 

Common Dog Breeds and Their Separation Anxiety Characteristics

Some dog breeds are much more likely to show signs of separation anxiety than others. Breed tendencies, genetics, and a dog’s background all play a role in how they react when left alone.

Breeds Prone to Separation Anxiety

• Breeds like the bichon frise, cocker spaniel, cavalier king charles spaniel, and vizsla often form close bonds with their families. These dogs are known for being affectionate, but this can make them more likely to experience distress when you leave. Australian shepherds, Labrador retrievers, and golden retrievers also frequently struggle with separation due to their history of working closely with people.
• Small breeds, such as chihuahuas, dachshunds, and maltese, may become especially anxious without company. Some working breeds, like the German shepherd and border collie, may develop separation anxiety if they lack enough mental or physical stimulation. Poodles (and mixes like the toy poodle) are intelligent and may react badly to being left alone as well.

Low-Risk Breeds and Protective Factors

• Some breeds are less likely to feel anxious when left alone. French bulldogs, beagles, and huskies often handle alone time better than highly sensitive breeds. They tend to have more independent traits or are less people-focused by nature.
• Jack russell terriers, havanese, and Italian greyhounds may also cope well, especially if they are properly socialized early in life. Regular exercise, training routines, and safe toys can lower anxiety in many dogs, no matter what breed.
• Dogs that receive early positive experiences with being alone, known as “alone time training,” often adjust better. A stable routine and a calm environment help guard against separation anxiety, even in breeds that may be more sensitive.

Behavioral Patterns Across Breeds

Dogs with separation anxiety often show clear signs when left alone. Some breeds are more likely than others to act out through destructive behavior, pacing, barking, or howling.

Destructive Behavior and Pacing

Many dogs with separation anxiety engage in destructive behavior. This includes chewing furniture, scratching doors, or tearing up bedding. Border Collies and mixed-breed dogs have shown a high rate of compulsive actions or destruction when anxious. You may also notice these dogs pacing back and forth, especially near exits or windows.

Certain breeds are more likely to display these behaviors due to their high energy or working background. For example, herding and cooperative breeds might develop patterns like constant pacing or chewing if they do not have enough stimulation. If your dog shows these actions, it can signal stress and a need for comfort or activity.

Common Destructive Behaviors	Breeds Often Affected
Chewing furniture	Border Collie, Labrador
Scratching doors	Mixed breeds, Spaniels
Pacing	Working and [herding breeds](https://citizenshipper.com/dog-shipping/collie)

Vocalization and Excessive Barking

• Vocalization is another common sign of separation anxiety. Dogs may bark, whine, or howl for long periods after you leave. According to recent studies, dogs from cooperative breeds are likely to bark more when they see their owner leaving than independent breeds. This difference is especially obvious in breeds like Beagles or Border Collies.
• Uncontrolled barking can disturb neighbors and may cause stress for your household. The type and amount of vocalization can help you identify which breeds need extra attention during isolation. Dogs that bark or howl often may benefit from special training, background noise, or interactive toys to stay calm.

Diagnostic and Evaluation Strategies

Identifying separation anxiety in dogs requires careful observation of warning signs and understanding of breed differences. It’s important to distinguish true separation anxiety from other causes of stress or behavior problems.

Assessing Severity in Different Breeds

Some dog breeds are more prone to separation anxiety, such as Labrador Retrievers, Border Collies, and German Shepherds. You should pay close attention to changes in behavior, including excessive barking, destructive chewing, house soiling, or attempts to escape when left alone.

A simple table can help you compare warning signs by breed:

Breed	Common Warning Signs
Labrador Retriever	Barking, chewing, digging
Border Collie	Pacing, howling, frantic escape attempts
German Shepherd	Whining, drooling, door scratching
Bichon Frise	Clinginess, vocalizing

Use video monitoring to assess how your dog reacts during your absence. Keep a log of frequency, duration, and intensity of problem behaviors.

Training Techniques for Prevention and Management

Consistent dog training helps prevent and manage separation anxiety across all breeds. The most effective methods are positive reinforcement, creating secure spaces, and gradually exposing your dog to being alone.

Positive Reinforcement Strategies

• Positive reinforcement means rewarding your dog for calm, independent behavior. Use treats, praise, or favorite toys when your dog relaxes while you prepare to leave. If your dog sits quietly as you grab your keys, reward that action.
• Make sure you do not reward anxious behaviors like whining or pacing. Timing is important. Always give rewards a few seconds after your dog does something calm.
• Short training sessions multiple times a day work best. Over time, your dog will connect being alone with good things happening. This builds your dog’s confidence and reduces anxiety triggers. Positive reinforcement is a safe and proven way to improve your dog’s response to being left alone.

Crate Training for Security

• Crate training provides your dog with a safe and comfortable space to relax when you are gone. The crate should be large enough for your dog to stand, turn around, and lie down.
• Start by placing treats or a favorite blanket inside the crate. Encourage your dog to enter freely. Gradually increase the amount of time your dog spends in the crate while you are home. Never use the crate as a punishment.
• Crate training can help reduce separation anxiety by making your dog feel protected in an enclosed area. For step-by-step tips on using crate training to help dogs manage separation, visit this guide on crate training for security and alone time.

Counterconditioning and Desensitization

• Counterconditioning and desensitization are key to reducing fear and stress when you leave. First, identify your dog’s cues that signal you are about to go, such as picking up your keys or putting on shoes.
• Begin by repeating these cues many times without actually leaving. This helps break the link between the cue and separation. Over time, increase the period you are gone, starting with just a few seconds and slowly building up.
• Reward your dog for calm behavior during and after each session. This process teaches your dog that being alone does not always mean something bad will happen. For more on these approaches, refer to strategies for counterconditioning and systematic desensitization.