Is it anxiety or boredom?
True separation distress often includes howling or barking soon after you leave, toilet accidents in a house-trained dog, destroyed door frames, or CCTV of frantic pacing. A bored dog may nap then chew a shoe hours later.
Rule out medical pain with a vet — especially in newly adopted dogs and seniors.
First-week plan
- Keep arrivals and departures boring. No big goodbye party.
- Practise tiny absences: pick up keys, stand outside for 10 seconds, return before panic starts.
- Build duration only while the dog stays settled. One panic rehearsal can set you back.
- Give a safe chew after you are already gone from the room, not as a cue that you are leaving if that ramps them up.
- Avoid flooding — leaving them eight hours “to get used to it” usually makes fear worse.
Help on MateLoop
A walker, sitter or trainer can cover the hours you cannot practise yet. If you are rehoming because of destruction, say so honestly on the listing so the next home can prepare.
Severe cases may need a veterinary behaviourist. This guide is not a diagnosis or a medication plan.