Separation anxiety is one of the most distressing conditions affecting Australian dogs — and one of the most misunderstood. It’s estimated that up to 20–40% of dogs seen by veterinary behaviourists in Australia suffer from some form of separation-related anxiety. Understanding the condition is the first step to helping your dog.
What is Dog Separation Anxiety?
Separation anxiety is a clinical condition in which a dog experiences extreme distress when separated from their attachment figure — usually their primary owner. It’s not simply a dog being “naughty” or “bored” in the owner’s absence. Dogs with true separation anxiety are in genuine psychological distress and cannot choose to behave differently without treatment.
Signs of Separation Anxiety in Dogs
- Destructive behaviour (chewing doorframes, furniture, belongings) specifically when left alone
- Excessive barking, howling or whining that neighbours report starting as you leave
- House soiling despite being fully toilet trained
- Attempting to escape (scratched doors, damaged window sills, broken fencing)
- Pacing, salivating, trembling, or vomiting before or during your absence
- Extreme, frantic greetings when you return
- Refusing to eat when alone
What Causes Separation Anxiety?
Contributing factors include:
- A sudden change in routine (return to office after COVID-19 work-from-home period — a massive trigger for Australian dogs)
- Change in household composition (a family member leaving, new baby)
- A traumatic event experienced while alone
- Insufficient independence training during puppyhood
- Certain breeds are predisposed: Labradors, German Shepherds, Vizslas, and Velcro breeds in general
How to Help a Dog With Separation Anxiety
Prevention: Building Independence Early
For puppies and newly adopted dogs, practice brief absences from day one. Leave the room for 30 seconds, return calmly. Extend the time gradually. Reward calm behaviour rather than anxious greetings. Avoid prolonged, emotional farewells.
Desensitisation and Counter-Conditioning
The gold-standard treatment for true separation anxiety. Work with a veterinary behaviourist to systematically desensitise your dog to the cues that predict your departure (picking up keys, putting on shoes) and gradually extend alone time from seconds to minutes to hours over weeks or months.
Environmental Management
- A stuffed frozen Kong or lick mat given only when alone creates a positive association with your absence
- Calming music or dog-specific audio (Through a Dog’s Ear) can reduce arousal
- A Adaptil diffuser (synthetic dog-appeasing pheromone) can reduce low-level anxiety
- A “safe room” with familiar items, comfortable bedding and a window view
Veterinary Treatment
For moderate to severe cases, medication — typically short-term anxiolytics (situational) or longer-term SSRIs (daily) — combined with behaviour modification produces the best outcomes. Never use medication alone without concurrent behaviour modification. Consult your vet or a veterinary behaviourist.
Frequently Asked Questions — Dog Separation Anxiety
Will getting another dog help separation anxiety?
Sometimes — and sometimes not. If the dog’s anxiety is specifically about being left alone with no company (isolation distress rather than owner-specific attachment), another dog can help. But if the anxiety is attached to a specific person, a second dog typically doesn’t resolve it. Discuss with a vet behaviourist before acquiring a second dog as a solution.
Is separation anxiety treatable in dogs?
Yes — the majority of dogs respond well to a combination of systematic desensitisation and counter-conditioning, sometimes supported by medication. It requires time, patience and consistency. Mild cases can often be resolved by owners working with a qualified trainer. Severe cases benefit from veterinary behaviourist involvement.
Can a dog grow out of separation anxiety?
Rarely without intervention. Separation anxiety typically persists or worsens without treatment. The sooner you address it, the better the outcomes — particularly for young dogs where independence training can be established before anxiety patterns become entrenched.
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