Dog Home Alone

If your dog has separation anxiety, leaving them alone can feel impossible. You might worry about what will happen when you close the door — will they bark, cry, destroy things, or even hurt themselves? For dogs with separation anxiety, being left alone is deeply distressing.

Why Leaving a Dog With Separation Anxiety Alone Can Be Harmful
When a dog panics because they’re alone, their stress levels rise quickly. This isn’t just about a little whining. Many dogs will pace, scratch at doors, howl for hours, or refuse to eat. In extreme cases, they may injure themselves trying to escape. Every time this happens, it confirms to the dog that being alone is scary, making the anxiety worse.

What Happens When You Keep Leaving Them Alone
Some people hope that the dog will “get used to it.” Unfortunately, separation anxiety doesn’t fade with repeated absences. In fact, leaving a dog alone before they are ready often makes the problem harder to solve. Your dog learns to expect fear every time you leave, which can slow down or completely block training progress.

The Right Way to Help
The most effective approach is gradual, controlled training. This means starting with absences so short that your dog stays completely calm — sometimes just a few seconds — and then slowly increasing the time as they succeed. During this process, it’s important to avoid leaving them alone beyond what they can handle. This might mean arranging pet sitters, taking them to daycare, or asking friends and family for help.

Getting Support
Separation anxiety can be frustrating, but you don’t have to handle it alone. A qualified trainer can guide you through the steps, watch your training videos, and help adjust the plan when needed. With the right support, your dog can learn that being alone is safe, and you can get your freedom back without guilt or worry.

Photo by Joshua Chun on Unsplash