What this means
A sudden or new change in behaviour is a reason to have a vet rule out pain and illness first. A dog that stayed calmly alone for years and now becomes distressed may be ill, in pain, or hearing and seeing less well and so feeling unsafe.
An owner can write down when exactly the distress starts (while you are getting ready to leave or only after you have gone), what the dog does (howls, paces, pants, chews furniture, urinates or passes a stool indoors), how long it lasts, and whether it happens only when the dog is alone or also when other people are at home. Filming what your dog does when left alone is useful.
Distress at being apart is a real and serious state, not stubbornness or spite. This page gives no behaviour advice: once health causes have been ruled out, talk to your vet about the next steps.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your dog.
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Distress at being apart
The dog goes through strong stress when left alone, showing as howling, pacing, panting, destruction or mess in the home.
About the condition: Anxiety -
Pain or illness
Pain or feeling unwell can make a dog insecure and more dependent on its owner, especially if it never worried before.
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Age-related brain changes
In an ageing dog, confusion and anxiety can show when it is left alone, especially in the evening and at night.
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Bladder or bowel problems
If a dog urinates or passes stool indoors, it may not be anxiety but a health problem that stops it holding on.
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Loss of sight or hearing
As the senses fade a dog may feel unsafe when its owner is not near and go looking for them.
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A change of routine or surroundings
A move, a new work schedule or changes in the family can bring on distress when the dog is left alone.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- When the distress starts: as you get ready to leave or only once you have gone
- What your dog does when alone, which a video can show
- Whether it is also distressed when other people are at home
- Whether it urinates or passes stool indoors although it did not before
- Whether appetite, sleep, thirst or movement have changed
- Whether sight or hearing are fading
When to book a routine visit
Book a visit if your dog newly cannot be left alone, if the distress began in later life, or if it also urinates indoors, drinks more or moves with more difficulty. Bring a video.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
Body systems: General health