Separation Anxiety: Frequently Asked Questions

Dogs with separation anxiety exhibit behavior problems when they’re left alone. Typically, they’ll have a dramatic anxiety response within a short time (20-45 minutes) after their owners leave them.

The most common of these behaviors are:

  • Digging, chewing and scratching at doors or windows in an attempt to escape and reunite with their owners.
  • Howling, barking and crying in an attempt to get their owner to return.
  • Urination and defecation (even with housetrained dogs) as a result of distress.

Tips for Dealing with Separation Anxiety