Research-Based Assessment

Does My Dog Have Separation Anxiety?

A comprehensive, science-backed quiz designed by professional trainers to help you understand your dog's behavior when you're away.

14-20%

of dogs experience separation anxiety

behavioral issue in dogs

5 min

to complete assessment

Getting Started 0%

👋 First, tell us about your pup

Dog's Name

Age

Where did you get your dog?

How long have you had them?

Section 1: Before You Leave

Research shows that dogs with separation anxiety often begin showing distress even before their owner leaves—triggered by "departure cues" like picking up keys or putting on shoes.

When you pick up your keys, put on shoes, or grab your bag, how does your dog react?

These "departure cues" often trigger anxiety in sensitive dogs.

Doesn't seem to notice or react

Stays relaxed, continues what they were doing

Shows mild interest

Watches you, maybe follows briefly

Becomes noticeably restless

Starts pacing, following closely, whining softly

Shows significant distress

Panting, trembling, barking, trying to block the door

Does your dog follow you from room to room when you're home?

Excessive "shadowing" can indicate hyper-attachment, a risk factor for separation anxiety.

No, they're independent

They're comfortable staying in different rooms

Sometimes

They'll check on me occasionally

Usually

They like to be in the same room as me

Always, like a shadow

They follow me everywhere, even to the bathroom

Does your dog show physical signs of stress as you prepare to leave?

Look for: panting (when not hot), lip licking, yawning, drooling, trembling.

No physical stress signs

Occasional mild signs (yawning, lip licking)

Regular signs (panting, drooling when not hot)

Intense signs (trembling, excessive drooling, freezing)

What the Research Says

According to veterinary behavioral research, dogs with separation anxiety often begin showing signs of distress before the owner actually leaves. The peak intensity of separation-related behaviors occurs within the first 15-40 minutes of being alone.

— Sherman & Mills, Veterinary Clinics of North America

Section 2: While You're Away

The core symptoms of separation anxiety appear when your dog is actually alone. These behaviors are distress responses—not "bad behavior" or spite.

Does your dog vocalize (bark, howl, whine) when left alone?

If you're not sure, ask neighbors or set up a camera/audio recorder.

Quiet or minimal sounds

May bark briefly at noises, then settles

Some whining or barking

For the first 10-15 minutes, then stops

Frequent or prolonged vocalization

Barking, whining, or howling for extended periods

Constant distress vocalizations

Intense barking/howling that continues until I return

Has your dog caused destruction while you were away?

Separation anxiety destruction typically focuses on exits (doors, windows) or owner-scented items.

No destruction

Minor chewing on toys or occasional items

Could be normal dog behavior or boredom

Chewing on furniture, shoes, or my personal items

Especially items that smell like me

Significant damage to doors, windows, or crates

Desperate attempts to escape or reach exits

Does your house-trained dog have accidents inside when left alone?

Elimination from anxiety happens even in fully house-trained dogs.

Never or very rarely

Occasionally, usually after long absences

Frequently, even after short absences

Almost every time I leave

Has your dog attempted to escape when left alone?

This includes scratching at doors/windows, jumping fences, or breaking out of crates.

No escape attempts

Minor scratching at doors occasionally

Regular attempts to get out (scratching, digging)

Intense escape attempts causing damage or self-injury

Does your dog pace, drool excessively, or show other signs of distress when alone?

You may notice wet floors from drooling, worn paths from pacing, or evidence of self-grooming/licking.

No signs of physical distress

Mild signs occasionally

Regular evidence of pacing or drooling

Extreme signs (wet floors from drool, lick sores, pacing paths)

Understanding the Root Cause

Separation anxiety isn't "bad behavior" or spite—it's a panic response. Research from the University of Lincoln shows that affected dogs experience genuine distress similar to panic attacks in humans. The behaviors are involuntary responses to overwhelming anxiety.

— Mills et al., Scientific Reports (Nature)

Section 3: When You Return

Dogs with separation anxiety typically show extreme, prolonged excitement when their owner returns—beyond normal happy greetings.

How does your dog greet you when you come home?

Consider the intensity and how long it takes them to calm down.

Happy but calm greeting

Tail wags, settles down within a minute or two

Excited greeting

Jumping, barking briefly, calms within 5 minutes

Very intense greeting

Extremely excited, takes 10+ minutes to settle

Frantic, overwhelming greeting

Almost panicked excitement, won't stop jumping/crying for a long time

Does the length of your absence affect your dog's distress?

Dogs with separation anxiety often show the same distress whether you're gone 5 minutes or 5 hours.

Fine for short and long absences

Only shows distress after longer absences (3+ hours)

Shows distress after relatively short absences (1-2 hours)

Shows distress even after very brief absences (10-30 minutes)

Section 4: Risk Factors & History

Certain factors can increase a dog's likelihood of developing separation anxiety. Understanding your dog's history helps us provide better recommendations.

Has your dog experienced any major life changes recently?

Moving, new baby, schedule changes, loss of family member/pet, return to office after working from home.

No significant changes

Minor changes (new routine, schedule adjustment)

Moderate changes (moved, new family member, return to office)

Major upheaval (loss of owner/pet, rehoming, traumatic event)

Does your dog show anxiety in other situations?

Fear of storms, fireworks, strangers, or new situations often co-occurs with separation anxiety.

Generally confident and calm

Mild anxiety in some situations

Noticeable anxiety (noise sensitivity, fear of strangers)

Significant general anxiety (multiple triggers, fearful temperament)

Was your dog adopted during or after the COVID-19 pandemic?

"Pandemic puppies" often struggle with separation due to constant owner presence during development.

No, adopted before 2020

Yes, but I maintained regular absences during the pandemic

Yes, and we were home together most of the time

Yes, we were inseparable during lockdowns and now I'm back at work

The Post-Pandemic Surge

Research shows that dog separation anxiety increased over 700% between 2020-2022 as pandemic puppies and newly-adopted dogs struggled to adapt when owners returned to work. Approximately 23 million American households adopted a pet during the pandemic—many of these dogs have never experienced regular absences from their owners.

— Green Element Pet Anxiety Study 2022; ASPCA Survey

📧 Get Your Personalized Results Report

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Your results are calculated instantly based on research-backed criteria. This assessment is for educational purposes and doesn't replace professional veterinary or behavioral consultation.

Calculating...

📊 Your Dog's Assessment Breakdown

Pre-Departure Anxiety --

During Separation --

Return & Recovery --

Risk Factors --

✨ Personalized Recommendations for Your Dog

Ready to Help Your Dog Feel Calm & Confident?

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Expert guidance

This assessment is based on the C-BARQ (Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire) framework developed at the University of Pennsylvania, peer-reviewed research on canine separation anxiety, and clinical guidelines from veterinary behaviorists.

Sources: Sherman & Mills 2008, Sargisson 2014 (PMC), Salonen et al. 2020, ASPCA, American Veterinary Medical Association