My dog barks and scratches when I leave. Is it separation anxiety?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Shar Pei | Male | neutered | 5 years and 7 months old | 38.14 lbs
How can I stop my shar pei from barking constantly and scratching when I go out and leave him.
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 19th, 2016
This behavior in Buster could actually be due to separation anxiety. 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.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on November 12th, 2019
Rio may have separation anxiety when you leave the house. 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.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on April 7th, 2018
First off, you are doing the right thing by crating Buddy when you leave, but it sounds like the crate alone isn't enough to help with his separation anxiety. I'm not sure if you've tried this, but 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. I'd also try getting a pheromone diffuser called DAP that helps dogs with anxiety and pair that will 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. Given that you have had neighbor complaints about his barking, I would see about getting him into a vet on Monday to discuss if anti-anxiety meds are appropriate for him. Best of luck, I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on January 18th, 2017
It sounds like Astro is suffering from separation anxiety. You can get a pheromone diffuser called DAP that helps dogs with anxiety, and pair that with a Sentry calming collar or DAP collar. The collar will release pheromones when in contact with his skin, helping with his anxiety when you leave the room. 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.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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