Field Guide · Glossary
Separation anxiety
Reactivity and fearA panic response that occurs when a dog is left alone, distinct from boredom or destructive behavior.
How it works
The distinguishing feature is distress rather than damage. A bored dog chews something and then settles; a dog in genuine separation anxiety may pant, drool, pace, vocalize and attempt to escape for the entire absence, and often begins before the person has left. Treatment works by building tolerance for absence in increments the dog can handle without panicking, which means departures shorter than the point at which distress begins, then gradually longer. Progress is usually measured in weeks and months.
What it looks like
A camera shows a dog beginning to pant as their person picks up keys, and pacing continuously for the whole two hours they are out. Nothing in the house is damaged, which is why the problem had gone unnoticed.
Commonly confused with
- Decompression
- Decompression is a deliberate period of low demand, usually after a big change such as adoption. Separation anxiety is a specific panic response to being alone, and more rest does not by itself resolve it.
Related terms
Gear that helps
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Kong Classic (multiple sizes)
The workhorse of enrichment. Stuff it, freeze it, and it buys you a quiet hour. We reach for it for crate time and alone-time practice.
Lick mat
Spread something soft and the licking settles an anxious dog. We use them for bath time, nail trims, and vet visits.
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