Separation anxiety in dogs is a psychological condition that results in extreme panic and agitation when their owner is gone. Dogs of all ages, sexes, and breeds have been diagnosed with separation anxiety. Dogs that have suffered from abuse and neglect are more likely to develop separation anxiety.
The primary complaints made by owners of dogs with separation anxiety are destructive behavior (chewing couches, carpet, walls, etc.), barking and/or inappropriate elimination in the house. Often, dogs suffering from separation anxiety have had unexplained bouts of diarrhea.
Separation anxiety is something that dogs experience when they become excessively distressed by being separated from the person to whom they are most attached. There are a number of ways to address separation anxiety, both medical and non-medical. The goal of treatment is to change the dog’s behavior so that it no longer responds to being left alone with such extreme signs of anxiety.