What Are the Signs of Separation Anxiety in Dogs?

You don’t have to be a vet to spot the telltale signs of separation anxiety. You’ve probably seen the symptoms before: When you grab the trash bag and your dog starts barking? When you pick up your keys and they look at you like, “Where are you going without me?!”  When their energy shifts the moment, you put on your shoes and say “Let’s go potty!”.

They know what’s coming, and it stresses them out… kind of like when you see the mechanic walking toward you with a clipboard and a pen. You just know it’s not going to be cheap.

Then you come home, and the evidence is there: Chewed furniture, shredded pillows, maybe even an accident on the floor. It’s easy to see that and think, “That’s a bad boy!!!” But what’s really happening is anxiety. This is how they cope with stress when they can’t reach you or understand why you left.

If I could talk to my dog in those moments, I’d probably say something like, “I’ll be back soon – I just have to go to work so I can buy you food, toys, and treats.” I want them to know I’m coming back. But since we don’t have that superpower, all we can do is be proactive and recognize the signs, understand what’s really going on, and help them feel safe when we’re away.

Anxiety v/s Bad Behavior Issues

Here is the “not always the case” phrase I hate using. Not all bad behaviors are signs of anxiety, sometimes a chewed-up shoe is just a bored afternoon. But, if the “bad behaviors” constantly happen when you’re away, that’s a good indicator that your dog may be suffering from Anxiety. How they show stress and anxiety will fluctuate and range from mild to extreme.

Here are a few things you might notice:

• Destructive behavior: We’re talking chewing furniture or shoes, digging or scratching around doors and windows. Again, this could be them being “bad” if it’s a one or two-times situation, but if it happens often this is them trying to get back to you.
• Excessive barking or whining: If your dog howls or barks the moment you leave, it’s usually not defiance. It’s panic. We’ve seen pet owners tell us that they want to buy a bark collar because their dog barks most, if not all, the time when they’re gone.
• Accidents inside: Even the most house-trained dogs can start having accidents when they’re anxious – but I need you to pay attention to my pattern here: Once or Twice – bad dog behavior. Every other time you leave? Good indicator for stress and anxiety.
• Pacing: Walking back and forth or in circles, especially near doors or windows, is a common sign of restlessness and stress for you to come back home. You see this a lot in your back yard when they pace the perimeter of your fence.
• Escape attempts: Trying to break out of a crate or room, sometimes so intensely that they hurt themselves.
• Physical signs: Shaking, panting, drooling, or refusing to eat when left alone.

If you’re seeing a mix of these behaviors, especially right after you leave or just before you come home, this is a likely separation anxiety issue, not misbehavior. This is not the time to punish; this is a time to manage and help.

Why Do Dogs Get Separation Anxiety?

Honestly, we don’t fully know why – and truth be told, we don’t even fully understand why humans get anxiety, much less dogs. It took close to 400 years for us to officially diagnose PTSD in humans. Dog Anxiety research and study began in the 1970s… we’re still learning. What we do know is that separation anxiety often develops after big changes or disruptions in a dog’s world. Some of the most common triggers that we know so far are:

• Changes in routine: We’re not talking about waking up at 7 v/s 8, or eating at 6 v/s 5, etc. We’re talking about going back to work or school after being home for a long stretch.
• Change in ownership or home: If going back to school or work was a shock, imagine a shelter dog or those who’ve been rehomed. Imagine finally feeling safe, and then everything changes again.
• Trauma or bad experiences: Being left alone too long, loud noises, or even a rough kennel stay can stick with them.
• Loss of a family member or another pet: Dogs grieve, too. Losing someone they love can make them more anxious or clingy.

So while we don’t truly understand anxiety to a T, we know that anything that shakes their sense of stability can shake their confidence, and that’s when anxiety can creep in.

How Can We Help a Dog With Separation Anxiety?

Helping a dog through separation anxiety takes time, patience, and a lot of consistency. The goal isn’t to “fix” them overnight, it’s to help them feel safe being alone again.

Change the Routine: I know, we just talked about how changes in routine can trigger anxiety. But what we’re talking about here are micro-adjustments, not major shifts. We humans love dramatic goodbyes… the hugs, I can’t wait to see you again, waving down the driveway, holding hands and hugging your loved one as your friends leave the home, the sappy sighs, and everything in between. But trust me… dogs don’t. Try to keep departures and arrivals calm and casual. The more of a “thing” you make out of leaving, the bigger deal it becomes for them.

A quick, low-key exit sends the message that everything’s fine, you’ll be back soon.

Desensitize the Departure Cues

Dogs are smart. They know the second you grab your keys or put on your shoes that something’s up.

Try to break that cue. Pick up your keys and sit down to watch TV. Put your shoes on and make dinner. Do those “leaving” actions without actually leaving. Over time, they’ll learn that those cues don’t always mean you’re walking out the door, and that helps reduce the panic. It won’t happen overnight. It will take time, but it’ll work! Trust us.

Tire Them Out (Physically and Mentally)

A tired dog is a calmer dog. Take them out for a good walk or have some playtime before you leave. This helps burn the nervous energy down. Buy them some puzzle toys, frozen Kongs, or simple scent games to keep their minds busy and redirect focus while you’re away.

When do I Call the Vet?

If you feel like you tried everything above, and your dog’s anxiety is still popping up, they’re hurting themselves, destroying things, or you just can’t make progress… it’s time to call your vet.

We can take a look at a few things, we’ll start with ruling out medical causes for accidents or potential distress / anxiety.

From there, we can look at possibly having your dog take anxiety medication or supplements.

If the problem is more on the behavior side, we can also look at recommendations to behaviorists if needed.

There’s no shame in asking for help. Anxiety is real for dogs, and managing it takes teamwork, patience, and a little time. But trust me, it’s worth it. When your dog reaches those golden years, you’ll love them even more for all the moments you helped them feel safe and loved.