A Vet Answers: What Do I Do For Puppy Separation Anxiety And Puppy Blues?

There were so many things that I couldn’t have imagined would come with puppy parenthood — long nights, unexpected “do we think he actually ate that?” accidents, and lately a big focus on both our puppy’s mental health and our own.

We got Chauncey last spring when we were already a few months into lockdown in New York City. Given his age (he’ll be 1-year-old on March 9th!) the only world he’s really known includes us being home all the time and having very limited contact with other humans or the outside environment. We didn’t realize just how much this small world setup would impact him until he got all his shots and was able to start going on walks in NYC. He hated it. We would have to drag him to make it as far as the corner and we’d both be frustrated and anxious that we would just turn back around and go home.

One of the perks of moving to Portland was supposed to be having more quiet and calm so that we could help Chauncey reset his relationship with the world and hopefully lessen his fear. It’s been a slow slow process and I don’t think the city has impacted him as much as we hoped it would. Turns out though, we’re not alone.

I got to talk with Dr. Zay Satchu, DVM, Chief Veterinary Officer and Co-founder of Bond Vet about how a lot of dogs are struggling with separation anxiety right now.

“Since the start of the pandemic, we have actually heard from pet owners directly that their dogs seem both happier, and more prone to stress, frequently,” shares Dr. Satchu. “A lot of this can absolutely be attributed to dogs who love their human beings, feeling a void when that special person is no longer within barking distance. Once life returns back to a pre-covid state, my guess is that we’ll start to see a lot more cases of dogs and people finding it hard to be apart.”

On a personal level, we’re seeing how hard it is to live with puppy blues and puppy separation anxiety on a day to day. I’ve written before about some of the things we’re turning to — daycare, prescribed medication, and a lot of patience most of all — but I found Dr. Satchu’s advice so helpful.

Navigating puppy anxiety doesn’t come with a one-size-fits-all solution because our dogs are all so different so having some expert guidance definitely helps. It also is important to note that their anxiety can most definitely trigger our own and self-care is essential through this process.

Here’s what Dr. Satchu had to say:

VN: How do you know it’s separation anxiety and not something else?

Dr. Satchu: Separation anxiety is exactly as described, anxiety that arises for dogs when separated from their owner(s). If your dog is displaying anxious behaviors when you are at home, and not getting ready to head out, it’s likely not separation anxiety. It is possible for dogs to have anxiety unrelated to being left alone.

VN: What are some signs/symptoms of separation anxiety?

Dr. Satchu: Dogs with separation anxiety may pant excessively, pace back and forth, vocalize or even become destructive by chewing or digging things they shouldn’t. In very mild cases, it looks like a dog that is waiting at the door (a good pet camera can show you what they do when you leave), or a dog that gets too excited at your return and urinates a little while bouncing up and down. Separation anxiety at its core is a fear based stress, so anything that makes your dog look a little overly suspicious of you departing, could be the start of this anxiety. 

VN: What’s a good first step if your pup is struggling with separation anxiety?

Dr. Satchu: I encourage everyone to give their pup some alone time daily, or at least weekly. Whether that means everyone leaves to go grocery shopping without fido, or enjoying a walk without your pup. Get something in your calendar at a regular interval where you dog experiences the independency they need to, to help keep them sane.

This approach will help keep him/her used to being alone in the house, and prevent separation anxiety from developing. If your dog is already struggling with separation anxiety, the resolve takes a lot longer than the time it took to create the issue. You may even want to pick up your coat and keys and walk around the house without leaving a few times a day. Then, start by giving your pup a high reward treat (like a Kong with peanut butter, or a Kong with frozen kibble & water) and leaving for no more than five minutes, then return. Slowly work your way to increased time away-- 5, 15, 30, 45 minutes then eventually an hour or longer. It’s also important to make coming and going as nonchalant as possible. This means you are neither greeting nor saying goodbye to your dog when you come and go. This decreases the heightened sense of stress around you leaving and coming and keeps their energy more stable. If you’re calm for these events, Fido is more likely to be also.

VN: What resources may be helpful for puppy parents who are trying to understand separation anxiety?

Dr. Satchu: The ASPCA has a great site with info for pet owners on separation anxiety. Also, pet parents can always reach out to their vets to discuss their concerns. Telehealth is a great way to have some one-on-one time with a vet to discuss Fido’s anxiety and reaching out to veterinary behaviorists is never wrong.  

VN: What should a puppy parent not do if they’re trying to help their puppy with separation anxiety?

Dr. Satchu: The best thing you can do is work on training and redirecting their anxiety, and remain calm when you’re leaving and working hard to distract them while you’re gone. Making your departures and arrivals as uneventful as possible will help in itself. Use treats and something of high value to keep their mind off of you and more on the yummy food you’ve just given them. Give Fido a safe space (a crate or bed) and a treat that will keep him busy for the few minutes you are slipping away. If your pup is not crated, you can also try hiding some treats around the house so they can spend time and mental energy hunting for them.

VN: Is it true that being affectionate with our pups/letting them sleep in bed and on the couch is something we need to stop altogether if our puppy is struggling with separation anxiety? (This is something TikTok puppy trainers have been known to say, so I know it’s top of mind for many)

Dr. Satchu: This is a tough question to answer because in theory, yes. Helping a dog feel more confident and independent when alone will aide in your efforts to push them in a better head space when you aren’t around.

 The hard part, is that often times, these are the moments that allow us to bond with our dogs and removing this may create a less strong relationship between pet and pet parent. My advice here, is if you have a dog that is struggling at a 10/10 level, and urinates, defecates, destroys the house when your aren’t home, and it is very hard for you and your family to change, creating a little independence for them is likely a good thing. With mild cases, there are probably many things you can do before starting here.

VN: What are some helpful tips for puppy parents who are struggling with their own mental health/keeping their calm when faced with puppy separation anxiety?

Dr. Satchu: Keeping calm and helping train your pup will create a stronger bond between the two of you. If you can be at ease that your pup is ok at home, that will help keep your anxiety at bay too. Explore your neighborhood together, try not to get caught up in too much of a routine, and use the outdoors as an excuse to get your pup and yourself some exercise. A tired dog is a happy dog, the same likely applied to people!