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Understanding Separation-Related Behaviours in Dogs

Harriet Newman-Rose BSc, MSc
5 October 2026 by
Through Eyes of Dogs, Harriet Newman-Rose
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Separation-Related Behaviours in Dogs

Why “Separation Anxiety” Is Not Always the Full Story

When our dogs struggle to be left alone, they are often given a diagnosis of ‘Separation Anxiety’, however, it is important that this label is not branded too quickly, as it can often be misleading as to the source of where the issue lies, (de Asis et al, 2020). Separation anxiety-related behaviours can arise from many different emotional states; fear, frustration and pain.

According to the RSPCA, over 85% of dogs in the UK struggle with separation-related behaviours, some of which are easy to recognise and other dogs suffering with the issue in silence. So how do we know if our dog is struggling with these issues?

  • Barking, whining or howling when the owner has left
  • Toileting, vomiting, increased salivation when the owner has left
  • Destruction of items or furnishings in the house on being left
  • Excessive greeting when the owner returns
  • Shaking, trembling, restlessness as the owner is preparing to leave
  • Following the owner around the home when preparing to leave/all the time
  • Aggressive behaviour towards the owner to prevent them from leaving the house
  • Self-mutilation of body parts when the owner has left

(Veterinary Ireland Journal, 2024)

These are just some of the reported signs seen in dogs that often struggle with separation related issues, but they are not prescriptive as every dog deals with emotional situations differently, just like us.

What is going on for my dog?

If you feel your dog is displaying any of these behaviours, it is important to reach out to a qualified behaviourist.

Some dogs may be frustrated that they have been left alone and are experiencing boredom, lack of stimulation, comforting behaviours or simply exploring where they have been left.

Fear is also another component where the dog has not learnt to be alone, or the presence of fearful noises/things within the home they have not come across yet. So, when they are alone and cannot seek reassurance or comfort from their owner, it can be a very scary experience for them.

Pain is another common source of separation-related behaviours, especially where self-mutilation, destruction and soiling are concerned; these can all be linked to physical issues relating to discomfort.

(Veterinary Ireland Journal, 2024)

How can we help them?

When we first bring our puppies home or rescue a dog, it is very important for us to remember the trauma they have just gone through; being taken away from their mother and siblings and/or an environment that they knew to be home and safe. This is a very scary time for our dogs and it is important that we invest in building a secure base for them, to develop and explore their new environment.

  • Avoid leaving your dog alone for the initial period that they arrive home

This can sometimes be difficult, due to work or life commitments, still if you can get a dog sitter or family member to stay with them whilst you are in the training process, this can prevent any negative learning experiences for your dog.

  • Create a safe space for them, where you intend to leave your dog when you go out.

Spend lots of time with them in this area to build up a positive association for them. If this is a crate, then you want to do positive crate training with them, and start to feed them in there. Remember not to shut the door on them straight away this is a gradual process!

  • Start training your dog to be okay with small departures, whilst you are still at home

Leaving your dog alone whilst nipping to the toilet, or going to make a cup of tea and slowly build this time limit up. Teaching mat training is also a good exercise to build this up.

  • Apply short departures outside of the house in small increments

This is dependent on your dog as to where you start, it may need to be 5 seconds and then build up from that. It is good to get a camera so that you can monitor your dog’s success and adjust the time increments if they are struggling.

  • Exercising your dog before leaving them is important, but the right type!

Quite often people are advised to take their dogs on long walks to tire them out before leaving them, this needs to be considered carefully! Your dog may be physically tired when they return, but not mentally tired, as their walk may have been excitable with other dogs or adrenaline; (like when we come home from an exciting event, we might describe ourselves as ‘buzzing’, this can be the same for our dogs). The type of walks or exercise is important, with mental stimulation for your dog being much more beneficial. Consider sniffy walks, puzzles or enrichment toys for your dog before you leave. 

Some things to consider

Food

Food can be a brilliant tool for us when training our dogs, however, when working on an emotional issue such as separation, it is important that we avoid negative associations. For example, if you are giving your dog a chew or Kong filled with food before you leave (and only this time), your dog will soon learn this to be a cue for your departure. Which if stressful for them, can trigger the separation-related behaviour before you have even left. Also, if your dog can manage being alone for the thirty minutes it takes them to eat the food, but then struggles after that, your dog is simply distracted by your absence not learning to be alone. This is something to be aware of when using food to ‘comfort’ our dogs when we leave them. It is good practice to give your dogs these treats when you are home, in the crate or area you want them to be, so that they can associate the space as a positive place.

‘Crying it out’ method

This has commonly been prescribed online as a good way to teach your dog to deal with being alone and that they will ‘grow out of it’, or to not let your dog out when they are crying etc. Leaving your dog in this state can cause them to be highly distressed and the release of stress hormones can have a negative impact on your dog for 48-72 hours. Your dog will eventually learn that it is terrifying to be left on their own and they may even shut down and just suffer their anxiety/fear in silence; due to being left to ‘cry it out’ and there being no response to their vocalisations. Your dog should never get to the stage where they are barking, crying or whining if you are training them to be alone, if this happens, they have gone over their threshold (their level of comfort) and you need to reduce the time back to a comfortable period for them.

‘Leaving secretly’ methods

Attempting to sneak out of the house without your dog knowing is also another method people try; however, this is not advisable and can cause your dog more distress. Dogs much prefer a level of predictability to be able to cope with the situation and reduce the symptoms of stress-related disorders, (Amat et al, 2014). Therefore, teaching your dog a cue that you are departing can also be a very helpful method when dealing with this issue. 

If you feel your pup is struggling with any of the issues above, it is important to have a veterinarian appointment to check your dog is physically sound. Then to reach out to a qualified behaviourist, to put a training plan in place to help your dog overcome these issues. Reversing separation-related issues is possible, but it does take time to do this.

Harriet Newman-Rose, BSc (Hons), MSc 

Through Eyes of Dogs ©2024

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