Separation anxiety affects around 20–40% of domestic dogs. It is not stubbornness or "revenge": it is a genuine psychological condition that requires understanding and a gradual plan.

How to recognise it

Symptoms that appear only in your absence:

  • Prolonged vocalisation (barking, howling, whining)
  • Destructive behaviour (doors, sofas, fixtures near the exit)
  • Eliminating indoors (even in perfectly house-trained dogs)
  • Excessive drooling
  • Repetitive pacing, digging, compulsive licking
  • Escape attempts

To be sure, it helps to record your dog with your phone camera or a webcam.

The causes

  • Puppies adopted too early (before 8 weeks)
  • Life changes (moving home, bereavement, a new job)
  • Over-attachment (a dog that follows you everywhere, even to the bathroom)
  • Shelter dogs with a history of abandonment
  • Lack of mental stimulation

The training plan: 6 weeks

Weeks 1–2: Reduce over-attachment

  • No fussing when your dog demands it insistently
  • Ignore him for the first 5 minutes after you return home
  • Leave him alone in other rooms while you are at home (door closed)
  • Do not make a drama of leaving ("byeeee sweetheart")

Weeks 3–4: Re-associate leaving the house with positive experiences

  1. You put on your shoes → treat
  2. You pick up your keys → treat
  3. You open the door → treat
  4. You step out for 5 seconds and come back → treat
  5. You step out for 30 seconds and come back → treat
  6. Progress gradually: 1 min, 5 min, 10 min, 30 min

Weeks 5–6: Pre-departure routine

  • A walk or vigorous play session 30 minutes before you leave
  • A meal or stuffed Kong when you go out (positive association)
  • Relaxing music or the TV left on (softens the sudden silence)
  • Pheromone diffuser (Adaptil) or calming supplements (Zylkene)

What you should never do

  • Punish your dog when you return for any damage caused: it makes the anxiety worse
  • Leave him for 8–10 hours straight away: gradual is the key word
  • Move house or adopt a second dog "to keep him company": it does not work

When professional help is needed

If after 6–8 weeks you see no improvement, or if your dog is hurting himself during escape attempts, contact:

  • A veterinary behaviourist: they can prescribe anxiolytics to support the training period
  • A dog trainer specialising in behavioural problems

Separation anxiety resolves in 80% of cases with the right work.

To build a solid foundation of independence from puppyhood, read the guide on the first 30 days with a puppy.