Separation anxiety in dogs - signs and what you can do

The Swedish Board of Agriculture's general advice on keeping dogs (SJVFS 2020:8) names several signs that a dog is not coping with being left alone, and dog trainers often see more. They usually show soon after you leave:

Neighbours hearing your dog bark or a clip from a home camera are often the first sign for the owner, because most of it happens when you are not there.

Under the regulations, a dog that is to be left alone must be accustomed to it gradually, and you must take particular care with young dogs and dogs that show anxiety or discomfort when left. So a dog with separation anxiety should not simply be left alone and expected to get used to it.

The rules also say dogs must normally be checked on at least twice a day and should be let outside at least every six hours during the day. Read more in our guide on how long a dog can be left alone.

There is rarely a single cause. A few common situations where the problems start:

• The dog has never practised being alone, for example a puppy that always had someone at home.
• Routines have changed, for example when you go back to the office after a period of working from home.
• The dog has moved, changed owner or come from a rehoming organisation.
• The dog had a frightening experience while alone, such as thunder or fireworks.

Sometimes pain or illness is behind a change in behaviour. So let a vet examine your dog if the anxiety comes on suddenly.

The goal is for your dog to learn that being alone is safe, in steps so small that it never has time to become anxious. It often takes weeks or months, and that is completely normal. Short sessions several times a day usually achieve more than one long one.

1. Start by leaving the room for a few seconds while your dog is calm, and come back before it reacts.
2. Increase the time very gradually, and go back a step as soon as your dog shows anxiety.
3. Keep leaving and coming home low-key, without long goodbyes or big greetings.
4. Give your dog something calming to do, such as a chew, when you leave.
5. Film your dog while you train so you can see how it actually reacts.

Never punish your dog for what happened while you were away. Your dog does not understand the connection, and punishment makes the anxiety worse.

Everyday life is often the hardest part. Every time your dog is left longer than it can cope with, the training can go backwards. So it is wise to arrange company on the days you have to be away:

On Pet Lounge you can book day care, a sitter in your home and dog walking. Tell the sitter about the anxiety when you get in touch, so you can plan the day together.

If things do not improve despite training, or the anxiety is very strong, get help. A vet can rule out illness and discuss whether medication could support the training, and a dog trainer with experience of separation problems can make a training plan for your dog.

Search for sitters near you with experience of anxious dogs, and read reviews from other dog owners. Go through our checklist before the stay and read about how Pet Lounge works.