You shut the front door, and within minutes your dog is barking, pacing, or scratching at the doorframe. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Separation anxiety is one of the most common behaviour problems Aussie vets and trainers see — and with many of us heading back to the office after years of working from home, it’s on the rise. The good news? With patience and the right routine, most dogs learn to feel safe while you’re away.
What Does Separation Anxiety Look Like?
Separation anxiety isn’t just “missing you”. It’s genuine panic that sets in when your dog realises they’re alone. Common signs include:
- Barking, howling, or whining shortly after you leave — often within the first 15 minutes
- Chewing, digging, or scratching around doors, windows, and crates
- Toileting inside, even in a fully house-trained dog
- Pacing, drooling, or trembling
- Refusing treats or food until you return
- Frantic greeting when you get home, as if you’ve been gone for weeks
One important distinction: a dog who chews a shoe while you’re at work isn’t necessarily anxious — they may just be bored. Separation anxiety is diagnosed when the behaviour happens specifically when they’re alone and stops when you’re there.
Why Do Dogs Develop It?
Dogs are social animals, and being alone doesn’t come naturally to them. Separation anxiety often develops after a change in routine or environment. Common triggers include moving house, a new baby or pet arriving, losing a companion animal, being rehomed, or a sudden shift back to the office after months of working from home. Even a scary event — like a storm or a tradie banging on the roof — can start the pattern.
How to Help Your Dog When You Leave
Helping an anxious dog takes time, but small steps add up. Here’s a practical plan:
1. Make goodbyes boring
Don’t make a fuss when you leave or arrive. No long pats, no “Mummy will be back soon!” speeches. Keep it calm and matter-of-fact. Your dog learns that departures are no big deal — not a dramatic event to worry about.
2. Practise leaving in tiny doses
Start with micro-departures: pick up your keys, step outside, and come straight back in. Gradually stretch the time from 30 seconds to a minute, then five, then fifteen. Repeat daily, and don’t rush the timeline — this is the single most effective exercise.
3. Desensitise the “leaving cues”
Dogs are clever. If putting on your shoes or grabbing your bag always ends with you gone, those cues alone can trigger panic. Practise the cues without actually leaving — put your shoes on, sit back down on the couch. Over time, they lose their power.
4. Exercise before you go
A good morning walk or a game of fetch in the backyard burns energy and leaves your dog ready for a snooze. A tired dog is a relaxed dog. In spring, the milder mornings are perfect for an earlier walk before work.
5. Leave something amazing behind
Give your dog a special treat they only get when you’re out — a Kong stuffed with peanut butter (check the label: no xylitol!), a food puzzle, or a safe chew toy. This builds a positive association with you leaving and keeps their mind busy for the first half hour, which is the hardest part.
6. Consider company or daycare
For dogs with severe anxiety, a trusted pet sitter, a dog walker, or a good doggy daycare can break the cycle of panic. Ask your vet or local council for recommendations — many suburbs have reputable options, and it’s worth visiting a few before you commit.
When to Get Professional Help
If your dog is destroying doors, hurting themselves trying to escape, or the anxiety isn’t improving after a few weeks of practice, it’s time to call in the experts. Start with your vet to rule out medical causes — pain or illness can look a lot like anxiety. From there, a qualified positive-reinforcement trainer or veterinary behaviourist can build a tailored plan, and in some cases, medication helps take the edge off while training does its work. There’s no shame in asking for help; it’s the responsible thing to do.
The Takeaway
Separation anxiety isn’t a sign that you’re a bad owner or that your dog is “naughty”. It’s a panic response, and like any fear, it fades with patience, routine, and plenty of small wins. Start with boring goodbyes and micro-departures, set your dog up with exercise and enrichment, and seek professional support if you need it. With time, your dog will learn that you always come back — and that home alone is okay after all.
