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Helping a puppy who is upset when alone

Ask your vet about your own pet. This page is general information from the sources below.

The ASPCA says a dog with separation anxiety may bark, howl, chew, dig, or have accidents only when left alone, often within minutes. It suggests building up alone time very slowly, low-key goodbyes, and daily exercise. Never scold the dog, and see a vet and a behavior professional for serious cases.

Checked October 29, 2026.

By Peabody editors. How we write and check.

What it can look like

The ASPCA says signs happen when the dog is alone or apart from its person, but not when the person is there. They include barking or howling, chewing or digging, accidents, pacing, and trying to escape. They often start within minutes.

Some dogs show worry before you leave, like pacing, panting, or whining. A change in people, schedule, home, or household can trigger it.

Teach that alone is okay

AVSAB says to schedule time for puppies to play alone with favorite toys, such as stuffed food toys, or to nap in safe places such as crates or pens. This helps them learn to amuse themselves.

The ASPCA suggests a food puzzle toy only when the dog is alone, put away when you come home, so alone time means something good.

Calm habits

The ASPCA says to keep greetings and goodbyes low-key, give daily exercise (especially before you leave), and practice leaving cues like picking up keys without leaving.

Humane World also says to give a stuffed treat toy or puzzle bowl when you leave.

Go slowly, never scold

For harder cases, the ASPCA describes starting with very short absences and adding time slowly over weeks. Go back to shorter times if you see stress, such as panting, trembling, or pacing.

Scolding or punishing makes it worse because anxiety is a stress reaction, not disobedience. Only use a crate if the dog sees it as a safe place.

When to call the vet

The ASPCA says to ask a vet first to rule out medical causes of house soiling and to check whether any medicine could play a part. For moderate or serious cases, it suggests a certified animal behaviorist, a veterinary behaviorist, or a trainer with fear-based training skills. Medication choices belong to a vet.

For the children

Ages 4-6: Keep hellos and goodbyes quiet and boring, and hand the puppy a toy with a grown-up. Ages 7-10: Help take the puppy for a walk or play session before a grown-up leaves, and set up the food puzzle toy with a grown-up.

"When we leave or come back, we stay calm and quiet, so the puppy learns that being alone is okay."

This is general information from the sources below, not veterinary advice, and it doesn’t replace a trainer or a behaviorist who can see your puppy.

Sources