Signs of Separation Anxiety
- Barking/howling that starts when you leave and continues until return
- Destructive behavior focused near exits (scratching doors, chewing doorframes)
- House soiling in previously reliable dogs
- Pacing, drooling, or panting related to departure
- Escape attempts from crates or rooms
📷 Camera Check Set up a phone camera to see what your puppy actually does after you leave. Many "anxious" behaviors are actually normal self-settling that owners never witness.
Prevention from Day One
- Scheduled alone time even when you're home — crate during naps from day one
- Avoid constant contact — periods of independent rest teach that absence is normal
- Calm departures and arrivals — no emotional goodbye/hello rituals
Step-by-Step Training Plan
- Stage 1: Leave room for 5 seconds, return calmly. Build to 2 minutes.
- Stage 2: Practice departure cues (keys, shoes) without leaving. Stand outside door 10 seconds.
- Stage 3: Actual absences: 1 minute → 5 → 15 → 30. Never let dog reach extreme distress.
- Stage 4: Build to full required absence in 15-minute increments.
The cardinal rule: never proceed to the next level until your dog is calm at the current level. This may take weeks — it is not a sprint.