Separation anxiety is one of the most common behavioural issues in Australian dogs, and one of the most misunderstood. It goes well beyond a bit of barking when you leave for work. Dogs with genuine separation anxiety experience real distress — a panic response that can lead to property damage, noise complaints from neighbours, and serious welfare concerns for the dog.
The good news is that with the right approach, most dogs improve significantly. This guide covers how to recognise separation anxiety, what causes it, and the reward-based steps that actually help.
Separation anxiety is a panic response, not bad behaviour. Signs include destructive chewing near exits, barking or howling when alone, indoor toileting, and pacing. Common triggers are changes in routine, rehoming, or sudden time alone after a period of constant company. Treatment combines gradual desensitisation to departures, enrichment, exercise, and sometimes veterinary-prescribed medication. Never punish a dog for anxiety-related behaviour — it makes things worse.
What Is Separation Anxiety in Dogs?
Separation anxiety is a condition where a dog becomes highly distressed when separated from the person or people the dog is most attached to. The distress is genuine — not stubbornness, spite, or boredom. A dog in the grip of separation anxiety is experiencing something closer to a panic attack.
The behaviour typically starts within minutes of the owner leaving, often as soon as the dog picks up on departure cues like grabbing keys or putting on shoes. Some dogs begin pacing and whining the moment they sense a routine shift.
Not every dog that chews a shoe while you’re out has separation anxiety. A bored dog might shred a cushion for entertainment. A dog with separation anxiety destroys the doorframe trying to follow you. The intensity, the timing, and the focus on exits are what set it apart.
How Do You Know Your Dog Has It?
Most signs of separation anxiety happen when you’re not home, which makes them tricky to spot. A pet camera (even a basic one propped on a shelf) is one of the best investments you can make if you suspect a problem. Here are the most common signs:
- Destructive behaviour focused on doors, windows, or exits — scratch marks, chewed doorframes, damaged blinds.
- Persistent barking, howling, or whining that starts soon after you leave and continues for extended periods.
- Indoor toileting despite being fully house trained. This often happens near the front door.
- Pacing, restlessness, or repetitive movement patterns (often visible on camera as the dog walking the same path over and over).
- Excessive drooling or panting when alone.
- Refusing to eat, drink, or engage with toys until the owner returns.
- Escape attempts — jumping fences, squeezing through gaps, or breaking through screen doors.
- Over-the-top excitement when you come home, far beyond a normal happy greeting.
If your dog shows several of these behaviours and they only happen when you’re away, separation anxiety is likely. A vet visit is the best first step to rule out medical causes like urinary tract infections or pain.
What Causes Separation Anxiety?
There’s rarely one single cause. Most cases involve a combination of factors, and some dogs are simply more prone to anxiety than others. That said, certain triggers come up again and again in behavioural consultations across Australia.
Changes in routine or household
This is the big one. A dog that spent months with someone working from home suddenly finds itself alone for eight hours. Or a family member moves out, a relationship ends, or the household shifts from two people to one. Dogs are creatures of habit, and sudden changes in who’s around — and for how long — can trigger significant anxiety. Post-lockdown, Australian vets reported a noticeable spike in separation-related cases as people returned to offices.
Rehoming or shelter adoption
Dogs that have been surrendered, rehomed, or spent time in a shelter are more vulnerable. The experience of losing an attachment figure can make a dog hyper-vigilant about the next one leaving. Research published in the journal Animals found that Australian trainers most commonly associated the onset of separation anxiety with rehoming and household changes.
Genetics and breed tendencies
Some dogs are wired to be more anxious. Breeds with strong bonding instincts — Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, German Shepherds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels — tend to show up more often in separation anxiety cases, though any breed can be affected. Research at the University of Melbourne has explored genetic markers linked to separation anxiety risk, confirming that hereditary factors play a real role.
Traumatic experiences when alone
A thunderstorm, fireworks on New Year’s Eve, a break-in, or even loud construction next door — if something frightening happens while the dog is home alone, the dog can begin associating being alone with danger. In Australia, storm season and neighbourhood fireworks are common triggers that owners often overlook.
Lack of early independence training
Puppies that are never taught to spend short periods alone can grow into adult dogs that simply don’t know how to cope without company. This is especially common with first-time dog owners who spend every moment with a new puppy during the first few weeks.
Is It Definitely Separation Anxiety?
Before jumping to a diagnosis, rule out other explanations. As behavioural specialist Dr Trepheena Hunter noted at an Australian Veterinary Association conference, not all “home alone behaviours” are separation anxiety. Some are boredom, incomplete toilet training, territorial barking at passersby, or even what Hunter described as dogs simply enjoying behaviours they’re not allowed to do when owners are home.
Video footage is the most reliable way to tell the difference. Set up a camera and watch what actually happens after you leave. A dog that settles down within five minutes and then chews a shoe out of boredom at hour three is not the same as a dog that paces, whines, and scratches the door for forty-five minutes straight.
Your vet can also help rule out medical conditions — a urinary tract infection looks a lot like anxiety-related indoor toileting, and pain from arthritis can cause restlessness that mimics pacing.
How to Help a Dog With Separation Anxiety
There’s no overnight fix. But with consistency and patience, most dogs show real improvement within a few weeks to a few months. The approach combines desensitisation, enrichment, routine changes, and sometimes medication.
Desensitise departure cues
- Identify your dog’s triggers. Most dogs react to specific cues: picking up keys, putting on shoes, grabbing a bag. Start doing these things without actually leaving. Pick up your keys, sit back down. Put on your shoes and watch TV. Over days and weeks, these cues stop predicting your departure.
- Practice short absences. Step outside for ten seconds, come back in calmly. Gradually stretch the time — thirty seconds, one minute, five minutes. The goal is to build your dog’s confidence that you always come back, without pushing past the point where panic kicks in.
- Keep departures and arrivals low-key. Ignore your dog for fifteen to twenty minutes before leaving. When you come home, wait until the dog is calm before giving attention. Big emotional goodbyes and over-the-top greetings reinforce the idea that departures are a big deal.
Build a positive alone-time routine
Give your dog something genuinely engaging right before you leave. A Kong stuffed with peanut butter and frozen overnight, a LickiMat smeared with yoghurt, or a Zeal treat hidden inside a snuffle mat can occupy the first twenty minutes — which is when anxiety peaks. Remove these special items when you return so the dog associates your departure with something good.
Exercise before you go
A tired dog is a calmer dog. A solid walk or play session in the morning before you leave for work makes a measurable difference. In Australian summer, that might mean an early morning walk before the pavement heats up, followed by a scatter-feed in the yard to keep the dog’s brain busy.
Create a safe, comfortable space
Some dogs do better with access to a single room rather than the whole house. Others prefer being near a window. Leave a radio or TV on for background noise — classical music or talk radio works well. An Adaptil diffuser (available from most Australian vet clinics and pet stores) releases calming pheromones that some dogs respond to.
Avoid making it worse
Never punish a dog for separation anxiety behaviours. Coming home to a chewed-up couch is frustrating, but punishment after the fact doesn’t teach the dog anything — the dog can’t connect the punishment to something that happened hours earlier. Punishment increases fear and makes future departures even more stressful. Confinement in a small crate can also intensify panic. If you need to limit access, use baby gates or close off rooms rather than crating an anxious dog.
When Medication Might Help
For dogs with moderate to severe separation anxiety, behavioural strategies alone may not be enough. In these cases, a vet may prescribe medication to lower the dog’s baseline anxiety, making the behavioural work more effective.
Commonly prescribed options in Australia include fluoxetine and clomipramine (both used long-term to reduce overall anxiety) and shorter-acting medications like trazodone, which can be given before a specific departure. The AVA supports the use of medication alongside a behaviour modification plan — not as a replacement for one.
Over-the-counter calming supplements (containing ingredients like L-theanine, tryptophan, or hydrolysed milk proteins) are also available from Australian pet retailers. These may take the edge off mild cases, but they’re unlikely to resolve severe anxiety on their own. Always check with your vet before adding any supplement, especially if your dog is already on medication.
When to Get Professional Help
If your dog is injuring itself trying to escape, causing significant property damage, or the anxiety isn’t improving after several weeks of consistent work, it’s time to involve a professional. Your vet can refer you to a veterinary behaviourist or a qualified animal behaviour consultant. In Australia, look for practitioners accredited through the Australian Veterinary Association or the Animal Behaviour and Training Council.
Doggy daycare can also be a practical short-term solution while you work through a behaviour plan — especially for dogs whose anxiety is linked to being alone rather than being away from a specific person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can separation anxiety be cured completely?
Most dogs improve significantly with consistent training and, if needed, medication. Some dogs learn to be comfortable alone within weeks; others manage the condition long-term. The earlier you start, the better the outcome.
Does getting a second dog help?
Sometimes, but not always. If the dog’s anxiety is about being away from a specific person rather than being alone in general, a second dog won’t solve it. You may end up with two anxious dogs. Try a trial with a friend’s calm dog first to see if company helps
How long can a dog with anxiety be left alone?
It depends on the severity. During early desensitisation, you might be working with absences of just a few minutes. As the dog builds confidence, most can eventually handle four to six hours. Very few dogs — anxious or not — do well left alone for eight-plus hours every day.
Is crate training good for anxious dogs?
It depends on the dog. Some dogs find a crate genuinely comforting — a safe den. Others panic and injure themselves trying to escape. If your dog hasn’t been crate trained from a young age, introducing a crate during a period of high anxiety is risky. A safe room with space to move is usually a better option.
Are certain breeds more prone to anxiety?
Breeds with strong attachment tendencies — such as Border Collies, German Shepherds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Labrador Retrievers — tend to appear more often in separation anxiety cases. But any dog of any breed or mix can develop the condition, especially after a major routine change.
Australian Veterinary Association, “Anxiety and phobias in dogs” — https://www.ava.com.au/public/about-pets/polite-pets-month-4 — anxiety as a medical condition, reward-based training, early intervention
AVA VetVoice, “How to deal with separation anxiety in dogs” — https://www.vetvoice.com.au/ec/pet-ownership/separation-anxiety-in-dogs/ — departure routines, low-key arrivals, reward-based approach, Kong use
AVA VetVoice, “Is separation anxiety always the reason?” — https://www.vetvoice.com.au/articles/is-separation-anxiety-always-the-reason/ — Dr Trepheena Hunter on differential diagnosis of home-alone behaviours
University of Melbourne Pursuit, “Dealing with separation anxiety in dogs” — https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/dealing-with-separation-anxiety-in-dogs — prevalence, genetic research, PhD study on Labradors and golden retrievers
Gonzalez-Martinez et al. (2020), “Mental Health Disease or Preventable Problem? Australian Dog Trainers’ Opinions about Canine Separation Anxiety Differ with Training Style” — Animals 10(8), 1393 — https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/8/1393 — Australian trainers’ survey on onset triggers (rehoming, household changes), diagnosis practices