Why Some Dogs Struggle With Being Alone

Dogs aren’t born knowing how to cope with being alone. It’s a skill that develops gradually, shaped by genetics, early experiences, and their environment.

Some dogs are more vulnerable than others. Puppies who didn’t experience gentle, gradual separation early in life may struggle later on. Rescue dogs may have experienced repeated loss, unpredictability, or confinement that makes absence feel unsafe. Genetics also play a role. Some dogs are simply more sensitive by nature.

Importantly, separation anxiety is not caused by loving your dog too much. Affection does not create anxiety. Emotional insecurity does.

For many dogs, being alone triggers a fear that something bad will happen, or that the person they rely on won’t return. From the dog’s perspective, this fear is very real.

Understanding why your dog struggles helps shift the conversation away from blame and toward compassion. Your dog isn’t being dramatic. They’re responding to the world as they understand it.

And with the right support, that understanding can change.

All the best,

Victoria