Disclaimer
This guide is educational and is not veterinary advice. If your dog is injuring himself, refusing food, or in acute distress, contact your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (dacvb.org).
Educational content only
Everything on this site, in our free guide and in our emails is a plain-English summary of what veterinary and animal-behavior organizations publish. It does not replace an examination or advice from your veterinarian, who can rule out medical causes and, where appropriate, discuss medication.
No promised results
Every dog is an individual. We don't promise that any exercise, product or plan will resolve your dog's separation anxiety, or how long it will take. Some dogs need professional help, and that is not a failure on your part.
Stop and get help now if your dog:
- Injures himself trying to escape (broken teeth, damaged nails, cut paw pads)
- Refuses all food or won't settle at all when alone
- Shows a sudden, unexplained change in behavior
- Stays distressed after weeks of correct gradual training
Your veterinarian is the first call. You can find a board-certified veterinary behaviorist at dacvb.org.
Sources and third-party sites
We cite our sources so you can check them. We are not responsible for the content of external sites, which may change after we link to them.