We want our pups to be happy and healthy, with everything that their hearts desire. Unfortunately, many dogs are prone to suffer from separation anxiety—the fear of being apart from their primary caregiver, a family member, or even other pets.
Thankfully, there are several ways to help our fur babies cope and feel more secure. Understanding the causes and recognizing the symptoms is the first step toward creating a calmer, more confident pup.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know to help manage your furry friend’s anxiety, including expert insights from PhD Pet Behaviorist Dr. Annie.
How to identify signs of separation anxiety
According to pet behaviorist Dr. Annie, identifying anxiety in dogs starts with understanding their body language. Learning to read the subtle cues they give us is essential for a strong pet-owner bond.
So many people assume that they already know how to read their dog really well, but science says otherwise – I encourage all pet parents to approach this topic with a willingness to learn new things about dog behavior and try to look at their own dog’s body language through that lens.
Dr. Annie also points out that when our pups experience lower levels of stress and anxiety, their signs may be more subtle and easy to miss. These can include:
- Head turning
- Hard blinking
- Lip or nose licking
- Freezing in place
- Excessive yawning
- Pinning their ears back
- Snapping and growling
Other signs of separation anxiety can be more obvious, like:
- Destructive chewing. Your dog might start gnawing on things he normally wouldn’t chew on, like furniture or clothing.
- Barking. A common sign of separation anxiety is increased vocalization — excessive barking, howling, or whining — especially when left home alone.
- Salivation. Your pup might be slobbery even when they’re not stressed out, but excessive drooling— especially right before you leave the house — could be a warning sign
- Using the house as a bathroom. Noticing unexpected urination or defecation around your home? Your pup might be trying to tell you something.
- Trying to escape the house. Some anxious dogs will attempt to escape via exit points like doors or windows.
What can separation anxiety lead to?
When dogs get anxious they can act out, causing serious harm to themselves or to your home.
Dogs can really hurt themselves while trying to escape from the house, for instance. Some chew and dig at windows and doors, which can result in injured paws, nails, and teeth—as well as vomiting and diarrhea. Dogs with separation anxiety will often attack objects that aren’t meant to be chewed up or scratched. A doggy-destroyed couch or carpet is not a great ‘welcome home’ gift, and repairing or replacing your stuff can get expensive fast.
Beyond the confines of your own place, a dog with separation anxiety presents additional challenges, especially in an urban apartment building. The person living above you might not take kindly to your Chihuahua, who barks wildly for hours when you’re off at work.
As we’ll describe later, a dog with separation anxiety is certainly not a lost cause, and there’s plenty you can do to help. So take a deep breath, and let’s continue.
What are the causes of separation anxiety?
Major life changes are one of the biggest causes of separation anxiety. Life changes that could lead to separation anxiety might include:
- Moving to a new home
- Loss of a family member or pet
- Divorce or separation in the household
- A child leaving for college or moving out
- Your work schedule is changing
- A new baby or family member
- Introducing a new pet.
- A traumatic past experience
- Previous neglect or abuse
While you can’t explain what’s going on to your dog, animals are sensitive, and our pets pick up on these things—any of which could lead to stress and anxiety. In many cases, it might also be that your dog is more prone to separation anxiety because of their personality. All dogs are different and some might just be more sensitive than others.
Now it’s time to dig into what you can actually do to help your pup.
How can you treat separation anxiety?
Here’s a list of tips and tricks that you’ll want to try sooner rather than later if you’ve noticed signs of separation anxiety.
Desensitization and counter-conditioning
According to Dr. Annie, one of the most effective ways to help a dog with separation anxiety is through desensitization and counter-conditioning—a gradual process that shifts your absence from something stressful to something neutral.
“The key word here is gradual,” Dr. Annie explains. Start small by identifying the triggers that signal to your dog that you’re leaving—maybe it’s picking up your keys or putting on your shoes. Instead of heading out, hold the keys and stay put. Ignore your dog until they calm down, then reward them with a small treat or a calm “good boy.” Repeat this step until the trigger no longer sparks anxiety.
Take it step by step. Once your dog stays relaxed when you pick up your keys, move on to the next cue—like putting your hand on the doorknob—again, without actually leaving. Wait for calm, reward, and repeat. Gradually, you can step outside for brief moments, slowly increasing the time away.
Never come back while your dog is actively whining or barking, Dr. Annie advises. Instead, reward calm behavior—otherwise, they may learn that anxious behavior brings you back.
Dr. Annie emphasizes that every dog is different—some may progress quickly, while others need more time. “If you’re struggling, enlisting the help of a credentialed professional experienced in separation anxiety can be very helpful,” she added.
Counter-conditioning is a process that helps reshape your pup’s mindset through positive reinforcement. With time, your pet will learn that something they feared before isn’t actually so bad. When you leave the house for an errand, give your dog a treat or toy to keep them busy, like a Kong filled with peanut butter. Ideally, when you’re away in the future, your dog will have added a positive association to your absence.
Crating
It can feel cruel to keep your dog confined. But crate training can be very beneficial for dogs with separation anxiety, allowing them to become more independent, and able to settle down on their own.
You want the crate to be a haven for the dog, a place where they feel safe and happy. The crate should be big enough for the dog to stand in without hitting their head, and with enough room to turn around and lay down comfortably.
Start by leaving your dog in the crate for a short period, slowly increasing the amount of time they spend in it. Feed your dog in the crate and play fun, silly games when they’re inside, so that they’ll associate the crate with feeling loved and taken care of.
It’ll take some time and patience on your part, but if you’re consistent, your dog will learn to love their crate—to feel protected and comforted, rather than locked up.
Exercise
Exercise can definitely be effective in mild cases of separation anxiety. When a dog moves a lot and gets rid of pent-up energy in their body, they will be tired when you leave, which can prevent anxious feelings. If exercise is done consistently before you leave for the day, your dog will also associate their parent heading out with a sense of well-earned fatigue—and a lovely nap.
Dog sitter or doggie daycare
If you leave the home for long periods of time and your training sessions just aren’t doing it for you and your dog, you might want to consider bringing your dog to a daycare or arranging a dog sitter. The company of other dogs or a trusted pet sitter can work wonders.
Mood music
Dogs aren’t that different from people. Many of us love white noise in the background, since it makes distracting sounds less noticeable. The same goes for dogs. Silence is nice, but when it gets too silent, every little sound can trigger your dog’s anxiety. The remedy? Let Alexa play some calming tunes for your baby when you’re not home. There are a ton of playlists (or 15-hour-long videos) out there that play music that will help your dog relax.
Natural supplements or medication
There are multiple natural supplements out there that can really help dogs feel more relaxed when left alone.
CBD products, for example, are exploding in popularity not only for people but with animals. Studies suggest that CBD can manage pain, anxiety, and inflammation in people. And because dogs have a similar endocannabinoid system to humans, this could mean that doggies can reap the benefits of CBD as well. Need some extra TLC? Grab the CBD!
Pheromones can also really calm down your dog. These are available as plug-in diffusers, sprays, or collars. They’re super easy to use, you don’t need a prescription, and no negative side effects are known. Research suggests that dog-appeasing pheromones can be effective in decreasing separation anxiety as well as distress and fear.
Prescription anti-anxiety medications medications for dogs aren’t all that different from those used by humans for certain mental health conditions. (That said, let’s state the obvious—never, ever reach into your own medicine cabinet to treat your anxious pup!). Your vet might suggest Prozac (fluoxetine), Clomicalm, trazodone, or other options.
Does pet insurance cover anxiety medication?
The average cost of dog anxiety medications in the U.S. typically ranges between $5 to $50 per month, depending on the specific medication, dosage, and where it’s purchased.
Luckily, Lemonade’s behavioral conditions add-on, can help cover the costs of diagnostics and vet-recommended treatments for eligible behavioral conditions—including phobias and separation anxiety. This could include therapy sessions, prescription medications, and even specialized training to help your pup feel more at ease. Keep in mind: Alternative treatments like CBD aren’t covered.
Managing other types of anxiety in dogs
While separation anxiety is one of the most common types of anxiety in dogs, it’s important to recognize that dogs can experience other forms of anxiety as well. Some pups may show anxiety in response to loud noises, such as thunderstorms, fireworks, or even construction sounds.
Dogs who are afraid of these noises might exhibit behaviors similar to those with separation anxiety—like drooling, pacing, hiding, or excessive barking.
To help manage these types of anxiety, Dr. Annie emphasizes the importance of controlling exposure to ensure your dog forms a positive association with the noise. This might involve starting with recordings of fireworks, for example, played at a low volume. By reinforcing calm behavior with treats and praise, you can gradually increase the intensity of the sound while continuing to reward your dog’s calm responses.
The key here again is effective communication, you’ll need to understand your dog’s body language so you can ensure they’re not experiencing too much stress during these exercises, and you’ll need to ensure your dog understands that they don’t need to be nervous. Using calm body language, a high-pitched tone of voice, and smiling can actually make a difference!
Before we go…
That was a lot of information, and it’s completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed. But don’t worry—you’re not alone in this! If your dog experiences anxiety, it doesn’t have to mean expensive treatments or medications that strain your budget.
With patience and the right support, you can help your pup overcome separation anxiety. And with pet insurance, you can focus on their well-being without stressing over unexpected costs—it’s there to help cover treatments, so you can give your dog the care they need.
You and your fur baby can do it!
A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.
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