What Is Separation Anxiety in Dogs?
Separation anxiety is one of the most common behavioral issues in dogs. It happens when a dog becomes extremely stressed every time their owner leaves — or even just prepares to leave. If your dog seems distressed when you are away, you are not alone. Studies suggest that up to 17% of dogs suffer from some form of separation anxiety.
The good news is that there are practical things you can do to help. This guide walks you through the 5 most common signs to look for — and what you can do about each one.
Sign #1: Excessive Barking or Howling When Left Alone
Does your neighbor ever mention that your dog barks nonstop when you leave? This is one of the clearest signs of separation anxiety. Unlike normal barking triggered by something outside (a passing dog, a noise), anxiety-related barking happens almost immediately after you walk out the door and continues until you return.
What helps: Practice short departures. Leave for just 5 minutes, return calmly, and gradually extend the time. This teaches your dog that you always come back.
Sign #2: Destructive Behavior
Chewing furniture, scratching doors, destroying pillows — if your dog is only destructive when you are away, separation anxiety is likely the cause. This is not bad behavior; it is your dog trying to cope with overwhelming stress.
What helps: Give your dog a designated comfort object before you leave. A soft plush toy — like a comfort companion they can carry and cuddle — can significantly reduce destructive behavior by giving them something safe to focus on. Our Duck Plush Comfort Toy was designed exactly for this purpose.
Sign #3: Pacing and Restlessness
Some dogs pace in repetitive patterns — back and forth, in circles — when their owner is gone. If you have ever set up a camera and watched your dog's behavior, this is one of the most heartbreaking things to see. It is a sign of pure anxiety with nowhere to go.
What helps: Exercise before you leave is one of the most effective remedies. A 20-minute walk before work can reduce anxiety symptoms significantly. Also consider leaving an item of clothing with your scent near their bed.
Sign #4: Accidents Indoors (Even in Trained Dogs)
If your fully house-trained dog has accidents only when left alone, do not assume it is a training failure. Anxiety can override a dog's physical control. The stress response activates their body in ways they cannot always control.
What helps: Consult your vet if this is frequent — there may be both behavioral and medical factors at play. In the meantime, reduce the time your dog spends completely alone if possible.
Sign #5: Escaping or Attempting to Escape
Dogs with severe separation anxiety may try to escape the home — scratching through doors, jumping fences, or breaking through windows. This is dangerous and a sign that the anxiety needs to be addressed seriously.
What helps: A combination of behavioral training, comfort objects, and in severe cases, consultation with a veterinary behaviorist. Do not punish escape attempts — your dog is not misbehaving, they are in distress.
How Comfort Toys Help Dogs with Separation Anxiety
One of the simplest and most effective tools is a soft comfort toy. Dogs, like young children, often bond with a specific object that helps them feel safe. Having something familiar to hold, carry, or cuddle can lower their stress response when you are away.
At PawBliss, we created our 50cm Duck Plush Comfort Toy specifically with this in mind. It is large enough for dogs to curl up with, soft enough to be soothing, and durable enough to last. Many of our customers report a visible difference in their dog's behavior within the first week.
Final Thoughts
Separation anxiety is real, it is common, and it is treatable. The key is patience, consistency, and making sure your dog does not feel truly alone even when you are not physically there. Start with the small steps — short departures, a comfort object, plenty of exercise — and build from there.
Your dog loves you. They just need a little help learning that you always come back.