What Is Separation Anxiety (And What It Isn’t)

Separation anxiety is one of the most misunderstood challenges dog guardians face. It’s often talked about casually, labelled incorrectly, or brushed off as “bad behaviour”, but for the dogs experiencing it, it’s anything but casual.

True separation anxiety is an emotional panic response triggered when a dog is left alone or separated from a specific person. It’s not stubbornness. It’s not manipulation. And it’s certainly not your dog trying to “get back at you”.

Many behaviours commonly blamed on separation anxiety, such as chewing, barking, or toileting indoors, can actually stem from boredom, frustration, lack of enrichment, or insufficient routine. The key difference lies in emotional state. A bored dog is still capable of resting. A dog with separation anxiety is not.

Dogs experiencing separation anxiety are often unable to settle at all. They may pace, vocalise, drool, scratch at doors, or attempt to escape. Some won’t eat, even when left with their favourite food. These are not choices. They are stress responses.

Understanding what separation anxiety truly is, and what it isn’t, is the first step toward helping your dog feel safe. Labels matter, because the wrong label often leads to the wrong solution.

And if you’re already feeling overwhelmed, please know this. Struggling with separation anxiety does not mean you’ve failed your dog. It means your dog needs support.

All the best,

Victoria