Signs of Separation Anxiety in Dogs | How to Identify
At Pet Coach SG, we frequently encounter clients who initially believe their dog has separation anxiety due to complex symptoms. Through our thorough assessment, we identify underlying conditions that are often more manageable, offering relief and a clearer path forward.
This article aims to guide you through how we assess dogs for separation anxiety, helping you better understand the process and prepare for a productive discussion with us or any other CSAT professional.
Identifying Separation Anxiety accurately is the first step toward effective treatment and long-term improvement. Separation anxiety manifests in various ways and is best understood by looking at three key components:
- The leaving phase: What happens as the owner prepares to leave, including pre-departure cues and the moment the owner walks out the door.
- The separation phase: When the owner has left, the dog is alone, separated from the owner or any human contact.
- The return phase: This phase encompasses the owner’s return. It includes the dog’s recognition of the owner coming back (through sight, scent, etc.), followed by the initial greeting and behaviors that may persist, such as excitement or lingering clinginess.
We take you through each of the three phases in detail in subsequent sections of this article.
What Are the Signs of Separation Anxiety?
Understanding the signs of separation anxiety is essential because these behaviors often overlap with other issues. Common stress behaviors in dogs experiencing separation anxiety include:
- Excessive barking
- Destructive chewing or scratching
- Pacing and restlessness
- Accidents in the house
- Howling
- Clingy behavior or difficulty settling after the owner returns
By recognizing these behaviors, you can confidently determine that your dog is experiencing stress. From there, the next step is to identify the root cause and rule out other potential conditions.
Differentiating Separation Anxiety from Other Behaviors
Understanding the signs of separation anxiety is essential because these behaviors often overlap with other issues. Stress behaviors like excessive barking, destructive tendencies, and accidents in the house can all occur when a dog is left alone. However, these symptoms aren’t always caused by separation anxiety.
For instance, barking might result from boredom, and accidents could be due to incomplete house training. By observing the full spectrum of a dog’s behavior across different phases of separation—the leaving, separation, and return phase—it becomes easier to rule out other root causes.
We specialize in this holistic approach, using tools like video observations to assess the dog’s reactions without influencing their behavior. We’ll explore these stages in more detail to provide a clearer understanding of how separation anxiety unfolds.
The Three Phases of Separation Anxiety
Leaving Phase
The first component is the leaving event—what happens as the owner prepares to leave. Dogs with separation anxiety often pick up on pre-departure cues (PDQs), such as the owner grabbing keys or putting on shoes. These cues can trigger heightened awareness, restlessness, or anxiety in the dog.
Some common signs include pacing, whining, following the owner persistently, or attempting to block exits. The anticipation of separation can build as these cues become more predictable, causing visible distress even before the owner steps out the door.
To accurately assess these behaviors, we often recommend recording video footage to avoid altering the dog’s response by being physically present during the evaluation.
Separation Phase
The second phase is the separated alone event, which refers to how the dog behaves when left alone. Unlike dogs experiencing boredom or mild frustration, dogs with clinical separation anxiety show signs of distress throughout the entire period of isolation.
Their anxiety does not diminish over time and can manifest as excessive barking, howling, destructive chewing, or attempts to escape. Physical signs such as drooling, heavy panting, and pacing are also common indicators of extreme stress.
Monitoring this phase via CCTV or similar technology provides unbiased insights into the dog’s true behavior during the absence.
Return Phase
The final component is the return event—how the dog reacts when the owner comes back. While most dogs are excited to see their owners, dogs with separation anxiety may display exaggerated responses such as excessive clinging, overexcitement, or difficulty settling down.
Less visible stress markers, like residual panting or signs of exhaustion, may also indicate ongoing anxiety. Observing this phase is critical, as it helps differentiate separation anxiety from other behavioral issues.
We often use these observations to confirm whether the dog’s reactions are consistent with separation anxiety or stem from other causes.
The Role of CSAT Assessments
Accurate assessment is crucial because behaviors associated with separation anxiety can be easily misinterpreted.
For instance, barking during the leaving phase might result from frustration or fear. Dogs experiencing frustration often settle down during the alone phase, while those with separation anxiety experience persistent distress.Misdiagnosing the issue can lead to ineffective treatments that exacerbate the problem.
We use tailored protocols, behavior logs, and ongoing support to help owners implement strategies that address the root cause of their dog’s anxiety.
Why Diagnosing Separation Anxiety Properly Matters
Proper diagnosis matters because it sets the foundation for effective treatment. Separation anxiety shares symptoms with other behavioral issues, such as boredom or a lack of physical activity. Misinterpreting these behaviors can result in frustration for both the owner and the dog, delaying the relief that targeted interventions can bring.
Once stress behaviors are identified accurately, owners can work with professionals to implement customized treatment plans that improve the dog’s well-being and foster a harmonious home environment.
Recognizing and addressing separation anxiety is vital to improving your dog’s quality of life. Early diagnosis and intervention not only reduce the dog’s distress but also strengthen the bond between pet and owner.
If you suspect your dog is struggling with separation anxiety, consult us for a thorough evaluation. Visit our dedicated Separation Anxiety Training page to learn more about how our systematic desensitisation protocol can help your dog!
