Home Alone: Helping a Dog Who Hates Being Left

Some dogs are a little bored when you leave. Some are truly distressed. The ASPCA describes separation anxiety as a dog becoming upset because of separation from the people they are attached to. Telling the two apart is the first step.

1. Know the signs

Barking or howling soon after you leave, chewing or digging at doors and windows, accidents from a house-trained dog, pacing, drooling or refusing food while alone.

Do this: set up a phone or camera and watch the first 20 minutes.

2. Rule out other causes

Accidents and destruction can have medical causes or just be boredom.

Do this: mention it to your vet.

3. Make leaving and arriving boring

No long goodbyes. Calm hello when you return.

4. Tire body and brain first

A walk and a short training game before you go.

5. Leave something good

A food-stuffed toy saved for alone time.

Watch out for: a dog who will not touch it until you are back. That is a sign of real anxiety.

6. Practice short absences

Step out for one minute, come back before they worry, and build up slowly.

7. Do not punish

The damage is panic, not spite. Punishment makes it worse.

8. Get help for severe cases

Your vet or a veterinary behaviorist can build a plan, sometimes with medication.

Where to check all of this, free

• Your veterinarian.

• The ASPCA's separation anxiety page at aspca.org.

This article is general information, not veterinary advice. Your veterinarian knows your dog best.