Sepanx in Dogs: Handling my Pet’s Separation Anxiety

January 04, 2025

Sepanx in Dogs: Handling my Pet’s Separation Anxiety

For pet parents that spend time away from home, one thought often crosses their mind: “I miss my pet.” Even if you’re taking a vacation or going off somewhere exciting, it’s always hard to leave a pet behind.  


But did you know that pets feel your absence too? Do you notice that your dog starts barking when you leave them alone? Or do they start pacing a lot once they see you packing? This could be signs that your dog is experiencing separation anxiety. 


While separation anxiety in dogs is very common, there’s still confusion surrounding this type of behavior. For this month’s article, we’re debunking some commonly held myths about separation anxiety! 


Myth # 1: If my dog acts out when I leave the house, it means my pet wasn’t trained properly. 

False

Even a housebroken dog can have accidents once they’re left alone. This reaction is caused by stress, rather than disobedience. 


***Thing to note: If your pet still pees or poos in the wrong places even when you’re around, then that’s unlikely to be from separation anxiety. 


Myth # 2: To make my dog less anxious, I should make sure I should exaggerate my goodbye 

False! 

Prolonging your goodbye can actually make your pet even more anxious. To not trigger their anxiety, it’s best to say bye in a very calm manner. We also suggest acting calm during your return too. If you make a big deal of coming back home to your pet, your dog would learn the big difference between the times you’re home and the times you’re gone. 


Myth # 3: If my dog panics when they see my suitcase, I should hide any signs of leaving as much as possible 

False! 

Some actually recommend exposing your dog to your “travel cues.” You can teach your dog that when you bring out your suitcase, that doesn’t always mean you’re leaving. Try taking out your suitcase then staying at home. 


Myth # 4: Since so many dogs go through it, I should ignore my pet’s separation anxiety 

False! 

While you shouldn’t be alarmed, you should still monitor how your dog handles their anxiety. Some dogs might try to escape when left alone, potentially harming themselves or your home. 


For more questions or advice about handling your pet’s separation anxiety, we strongly suggest consulting your vet!

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