🐶 5 Tips to Alleviate Puppy Separation Anxiety

👉 Personally compiled by the editor・A must-read for Hong Kong dog owners

Many Hong Kong dog owners (including myself 🙋♀️) have experienced this: as soon as you step outside, your puppies start barking, scratching at doors, destroying the house, and even losing control of their bladder and bowel movements. In reality, these behaviors are often a sign of separation anxiety . Dogs are naturally social creatures, and when they're suddenly left alone at home, they can easily become anxious and fearful. Chronic separation anxiety not only affects neighbors and owners, but can also cause significant physical and mental stress for the dog. We've compiled five soothing tips to help you and your pet gradually improve!

🏡 1. Create a safe and comfortable environment for solitude

🛋️ Make your dog feel safe at home

• Leaving a piece of clothing with the owner's scent will make the dog feel more secure.
• Provide comfortable beds and chew toys to create a "private little world".
• Play light music or white noise to cover up outside sounds and reduce tension.

My take: I keep an old T-shirt next to my dog’s bed so he can sleep more peacefully when he smells his owner’s scent.

🐾 2. Gradually train for short-term separation

⏳ Take a gradual approach, not a one-size-fits-all approach

• Start by leaving for only a few minutes, then gradually extend it to half an hour or an hour.
• Stay calm when going out and returning home, and don't make a fuss.
• Make the dog feel that "the owner going out = normal" and it is not the end of the world.

Editor's reminder: Don't disappear suddenly for a long time, as this will scare your dog.

🎾 3. Increase exercise and play time

🏃♂️ He is so tired that he has no energy to worry

• Take your dog for a walk before going out to let it relax, so it will be easier to rest when you get home.
• Use puzzle toys and sniffing mats to distract attention and consume mental energy.
• When both the body and the brain are active, the dog will naturally feel less bored and anxious.

Editor’s experience: Dogs that have been given enough free time usually just want to take a nap when they get home, and their separation anxiety is significantly reduced.

🧘 4. Use positive comfort tools

🍖 Connecting separation with good things

• Give your dog chewable treats before you go out, such as a cowhide bone or a puzzle toy filled with peanut butter.
• It makes the dog feel that "the owner is out = there is good food."
• If necessary, consider using a separation anxiety supplement or pheromone spray under the advice of your veterinarian.

Editor's observation: When dogs are busy chewing snacks, they have no time to care whether their owners have left or not.

🤝 5. Seek professional help

🧑⚕️ When the situation is serious, seek help from an expert

• If your dog's anxious behavior is severe, such as self-mutilation or complete refusal to eat, seek veterinary help as soon as possible.
• Professional dog trainers can also design targeted programs.
• In some cases, medication may be needed. Owners should not feel embarrassed about this, as it is actually helping to relieve the dog's pain.

The editor reminds you: Separation anxiety is not a sign of a "bad dog" but a psychological stress problem that should be taken seriously.

📌 Editor's Summary

Separation anxiety in puppies can be alleviated through environmental management, gradual training, moderate exercise, positive reassurance, and, when necessary, professional assistance . Patience is crucial; don't scold your dog for a moment of loss of control, as this will only exacerbate the anxiety. With dedicated companionship and training, your dog will eventually learn to await your return home with a cheerful, wagging tail.