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My dog barks, howls, and destroys. How to stop separation anxiety?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Beagle | Male | unneutered

My husband bought Ronaldo a few years ago as a puppy. He was the last one of his siblings to go. He has really bad separation anxiety, when we leave the house he barks, howls, whines, scratches the door, tears up our carpet and I'm afraid he might hurt himself. What can we do to help his anxiety?

6 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on November 12th, 2016

It definitely sounds like Ronaldo is experiencing some separation anxiety when you leave the house. I would recommend crating him when you are gone. The crate will provide him a small space where he can feel safe in it when you are gone. You will have to slowly train him to get used to a crate. Start putting him in it when you are home and sitting nearby so he doesn't think you are abandoning him, and slowly increase the time he is in it. He can have toys in the crate, and puzzle toys with treats in it that he has to figure out how to get the treats out. You can also fill a Kong toy with peanut butter and freeze it in the freezer overnight, then give it to him in the crate. That will keep him occupied for a while. Finally, you can get a pheromone diffuser called DAP that helps dogs with anxiety. If these methods do not work with him, then I would discuss with your vet the possibility of putting him on anti-anxiety methods, but make sure you give it time first with the methods for doing that.

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1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

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    Answered By Bette Isacoff

    Dog Trainer

    Published on

    This training has to occur in small increments over a bit of time. First, go out the door and immediately come back inside (you don't even have to close the door all the way. If he has been quiet, praise him. Gradually increase the amount of time your are outdoors and the distance from the house you go. If he starts to bark, go back to the point at which he was quiet while you were out and work forward from that point again. You can also leave a Kong toy filled with peanut butter (that does not contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs) when you go out, so he will associate your leaving with a treat. You can freeze the Kong with the peanut butter so it will take him longer to finish.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Bette Isacoff

    Dog Trainer

    Published on

    This training has to occur in small increments over a bit of time. First, go out the door and immediately come back inside (you don't even have to close the door all the way. If he has been quiet, praise him. Gradually increase the amount of time your are outdoors and the distance from the house you go. If he starts to bark, go back to the point at which he was quiet while you were out and work forward from that point again. You can also leave a Kong toy filled with peanut butter (that does not contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs) when you go out, so he will associate your leaving with a treat. You can freeze the Kong with the peanut butter so it will take him longer to finish.

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    0Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 20th, 2017

    It sounds like Plex is experiencing some separation anxiety when you leave the house. I would recommend crating him when you are gone. The crate will provide him a small space where he can feel safe in it when you are gone. You will have to slowly train him to get used to a crate. Start putting him in it when you are home and sitting nearby so he doesn't think you are abandoning him, and slowly increase the time he is in it. He can have toys in the crate, and puzzle toys with treats in it that he has to figure out how to get the treats out. You can put a tablespoon of peanut butter in a Kong toy and freeze it in the freezer overnight, then give it to him in the crate. That will keep him occupied for a while. Finally, you can get a pheromone diffuser called DAP that helps dogs with anxiety.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 18th, 2019

    Poor Wilbur and poor you! I recommend crating him when you are gone. The crate will provide him a small space where he can feel safe in it when you are gone. You will have to slowly train him to get used to a crate. Start putting him in it when you are home and sitting nearby so he doesn't think you are abandoning him, and slowly increase the time he is in it. He can have toys in the crate, and puzzle toys with treats in it that he has to figure out how to get the treats out. You can put a tablespoon of peanut butter in a Kong toy and freeze it in the freezer overnight, then give it to him in the crate. That will keep him occupied for a while. Finally, you can get a pheromone diffuser called DAP that helps dogs with anxiety and pair that with a DAP pheromone collar that releases pheromones when in contact with his skin. If these methods do not help him, then I recommend having him seen by a vet to discuss the use of anti-anxiety medications.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 11th, 2019

    Poor Lily! She can have toys in the crate, and puzzle toys with treats in it that he has to figure out how to get the treats out. You can put a tablespoon of peanut butter in a Kong toy and freeze it in the freezer overnight, then give it to her in the crate. That will keep her occupied for a while. Finally, you can get a pheromone diffuser called DAP that helps dogs with anxiety and pair that with a DAP pheromone collar that releases pheromones when in contact with her skin. If these methods do not help him, then I recommend having her seen by a vet to discuss the use of anti-anxiety medications. I hope this helps!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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