Is it cruel to leave a dog with separation anxiety?

Dogs are social and typically prefer to be with others. Some may always struggle with being alone. When a dog doesn’t know how to self-soothe or cope, they may turn to chewing or clawing stuff around the house, or barking or howling. Destructive behavior is also a symptom of separation anxiety. If you notice a behavior change in your pet due to being alone too long, it could be a sign to take some action. Examples of behavior changes include increased lethargy, depression or disinterest in once-beloved activities, and destructive tendencies. Managing how your dog spends its time alone can help your pup feel more satisfied or fulfilled while you’re away. It also provides you some peace of mind.

Dogs are social animals, and they need to learn that it is alright to be left at home on their own. Dogs are a naturally social species and it’s normal for them to stay close to their social group which is why they can become anxious when left alone. Some dogs feel anxious when they are left alone and may display unwanted and sometimes destructive behaviours as a result. Separation anxiety can develop in dogs for a number of reasons, but the most common is that they have never learned that it is ok to be alone. If you identify signs that your dog may be worried, talk to your vet about a referral to a behaviourist. As separation problems can develop for different reasons, treatment programmes need to be tailored to individual dogs. Programmes usually include a number of different elements, which might include the following aspects: encouraging your dog to not be too reliant on your attention when you are at home, so that they can cope better when you are not there, gradually teaching your dog that it is ok to be alone in the house through a process called ‘desensitisation and counter-conditioning’.