Why “No Alone Time” Is Essential for Separation Anxiety Training

If your dog struggles with being left alone, you’ve probably already heard the phrase “suspend absences.” It means that during training, your dog isn’t left by themselves at all, except during carefully planned, short practice sessions.

At first, this can sound impossible. After all, most people have work, errands, or family commitments. But when it comes to helping a dog overcome separation anxiety, it’s not an optional step. It’s the foundation that makes all the other work possible.

Think of it this way: if a dog was nervous around children, no responsible trainer would keep letting that dog meet children while trying to build confidence. It would only keep the fear alive. The same is true here. Each time a dog with separation anxiety is left alone and becomes distressed, their anxiety is reinforced and learning slows down.

Training works best when the dog feels safe. Anxiety and panic shut down the part of the brain that allows learning to happen, so preventing those stressful moments is just as important as the training itself.

Of course, this level of management takes effort. It might mean rearranging routines, leaning on friends or family, or using daycare or pet sitters. But it’s a temporary measure that protects your progress and helps your dog build real confidence for the long term.

When starting a programme, it helps to be direct with yourself and anyone supporting you about what’s needed. Rather than saying, “I’ll try not to leave my dog alone,” it’s more powerful to commit to, “I’m going to make sure my dog isn’t left alone while we work on this.” That shift in mindset sets the stage for success.

If you’re worried about how to make it work, you’re not alone. Almost every guardian in this situation feels the same way at first. But there are usually more options than you might think:

Dog walkers or daycare for breaks during the day.

Friends, family, or neighbours who can pop in or host your dog for a few hours.

Work-from-home arrangements or flexible hours when possible.

Community swaps with other local dog guardians who understand and can lend a hand.

Even with the best planning, there will be moments of frustration. That’s completely normal. But remember, this stage doesn’t last forever. Once your dog starts to feel safe being left for short periods in training, you’ll gradually reintroduce alone time in a structured way, and those small steps will eventually lead to lasting change.

Suspending absences isn’t about being strict or unrealistic. It’s about giving your dog the best chance to learn that being alone doesn’t have to be scary. Every moment your dog feels safe is a step towards that goal, and that’s what truly makes the difference.

All the best, Victoria