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How to help dog separation anxiety immediately when I'm at work?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labradoodle | Female | unspayed | 3 years and 3 months old | 25 lbs

My dog seems to be showing signs for mild separation anxiety. There is a daily window of 3 hours where she is alone and cries and barks for most of that time. We are working on making her more independent of us while we are home, but are some more immediate solutions for the time we have to go to work? (Medication, collars, training tips?)

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Karly Macon, DVM, MS, CVA Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Veterinarian

Published on April 4th, 2017

Behavioral modification things to try: downplay your signals when you leave and give her a long-lasting Kong stuffed with treats to focus on. Don't make a big fuss when you return, either--oftentimes owners are unknowingly making things worse by announcing their departures and arrivals. I've had success with anti-anxiety medication like Lorazepam that your veterinarian can prescribe (off-label) for short-term anxiety management. Anti-depressants like Prozac or Clomicalm are also useful for long-term management. Hope that helps!

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    Answered By Shaneez Wallani, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    There are many causes of anxiety, and it can at times be a complex condition to treat. However, there are many things that you can do to help alleviate stress and help Vida feel better. I would advise seeing your veterinarian to rule out any medical causes for Vida’s behaviour first, and also make sure her environmental needs are being met. Consult a reputable dog trainer or veterinary behaviourist about the best way to do this, and visit the link below for tips on how to reduce separation anxiety http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=3144. Attending a training class and working on socialization overall can help redirect some of her nervous energy and build her confidence. In some cases dietary changes, supplements and/or medication may be recommended by your vet to help get Vida feeling calm and happy again. In the meantime, visit the following link to learn more about Adaptil, a synthetic pheromone that is available in a diffuser and spray form that promotes calm feelings in dogs, and can often be useful in cases of separation anxiety http://www.adaptil.com .

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