How do I help my dog get over extreme separation anxiety?

Matt Martin
by Matt Martin
  12 answers
  • Peggy L Burnette Peggy L Burnette on Jul 05, 2018

    Talk to your vet. Exercise and spending time with the dog will help also.

  • Sharon Sharon on Jul 05, 2018

    I would suggest you contact your local human society to find a dog trainer to help you. I've done a few cases. To me its building the dog's confidence by exposing them to short periods of being alone. Go out and wait five minuets, then come back in. I also give the dog a treat like a raw hide bone. Build up the time you leave and come back. Sometimes get in your car and drive around the block, the come back.

    Another tool is to take your dog out for a run, bike ride or long walk to exhaust them before you leave. Regular exercise will make your dog calmer,

  • It is a process! Hopefully you have help. One of mine gets worse as she ages. My ex takes care of her (and my other pets), when I go on trips where I can't take dogs and the last trip he said that she refused to engage and sat by his back door the entire time I was gone waiting for me to return. She refused to engage with the other dogs, in spite of all the training and phone calls. She barely ate, drank or slept. Now I hesitate to go away for more than a night or two.


    https://www.rover.com/blog/heres-real-way-train-dog-separation-anxiety/


    https://www.cesarsway.com/dog-behavior/anxiety/dealing-with-separation-anxiety


    http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/separation_anxiety.html

  • Sassy Sassy on Jul 05, 2018

    Matt, here are some web sites that may help you:


    https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/separation-anxiety

    https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/common-behavior-issues/separation-anxiety-in-dogs/

    https://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/separation-anxiety-in-dogs.html


    One of my daughters had this problem with her dog. Her vet put the dog on medication and had my daughter get another dog to be a companion to her anxious rescue dog. The combination worked. I hope you can help your dog with this...hard for you both!

  • Shuganne Shuganne on Jul 05, 2018

    I had my dog, Whit, 6 months and never had a problem until my second dod died and Whit was alone. He was ok with my taking 1 hour trips to the store, but if I left him for more than that, he tore up his crate and everything he could pull through the bars. I solved his problem by getting him a friend. Now instead of missing me, he is focused on the second dog. It took them a little time to establish the ground rules but they get along fine. I ended up getting them a third dog so Whit is a bit less focused on which one I give more attention to.


    The aspca has a lengthy article on separation anxiety, if the previous suggested articles don't answer all your questions:


    https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/separation-anxiety

  • Michelle Leslie Michelle Leslie on Jul 05, 2018

    Oh shame, it's awful when our fur babies stress like that. This atricle might be very useful in understanding why your dog gets seperation anxiety and what you could do to help - https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/separation-anxiety-dogs#4 Best of luck Matt

  • KateRos KateRos on May 28, 2024

    Great advice here! My dog also suffers from anxiety, so I'm open to any recommendations. Thanks!

  • Alice Norton Alice Norton on May 28, 2024

    Great tips! I also found that getting my dog an anti-anxiety medication really helped when I had to leave him alone. Fortunately, I found a way to get a Pet Prescription Without Vet online. The convenience and affordability made a big difference. Combined with the training advice, it's made a world of difference for my pup's separation anxiety.

  • The first step in helping your dog overcome severe separation anxiety is to recognize and desensitize triggers, such as picking up keys. Establish a snug and secure area for your canine companion and start with brief separations, progressively extending the duration of your absences. Provide special toys or treats while you're away, and provide positive reinforcement—treats and praise—for calm behavior. To lessen anxiety, keep feeding, walking, and playing routines regular.


    Make sure your dog receives adequate mental and physical stimulation. Think about using anxiety wraps or pheromone diffusers as relaxing tools. Don't penalize apprehensive conduct. For expert assistance and potential medication in severe circumstances, speak with an animal behaviorist or veterinarian. Your dog's confidence can be boosted by basic command training and other methods like leaving items of clothes that smell like you or playing background music.

  • This is definitely a process and having a good, positive reinforcement trainer will have the best tips specific to your pooch. My first dog had this dilemma and it was always tough. I’d stuff a Kong, freeze it, and gave it to her as I left. Too, classical

    music can help.

  • Deb K Deb K on Jun 07, 2024

    Hi Matt, hope this helps you. Start by just leaving the room for a few minutes at a time. then return and greet your dog and give a small treat. Then start going outside for a few minutes at a time, return and do the same with the treat. Eventually make the absence longer and longer, always remember the reward treat. It will never all go away, but the anxiety will ease.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Jun 07, 2024

    Talk to your vet, they can assess your pet's anxiety and symptoms. It may require training and support or give the pet a prescription. Maybe an animal shelter can help for references, or a dog groomer, pet shop.