Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

Why does my dog have separation anxiety? Is it my fault or a cause?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Female | unspayed | 2 years and 5 months old | 32 lbs

I believe my dog has separation anxiety. Is it my fault? The past 4/5 years have not been the best. I've had health ups and downs. She has kept me grounded bc I'm the one who takes care of her and the one the counts on. Plus a few months ago she was pinned down by two dogs. They we're pit bulls. We were out in our yard and they chased her down. She had no cuts or anything. I got them off her and took her inside. I had my eyes off her two seconds and she was pinned. Going to get when they open

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 12th, 2020

No, it's not necessarily your fault! Some dogs are just prone to separation anxiety due to their personality. There are things in their life that can happen causing them to develop it. Don't blame yourself!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My little pug has sever seperation anxiety, from only me. She follows me everywhere and freaks out when I'm not in sight. (Also the chewing my stuff when I'm gone and crying- the whole nine yards). Is this my fault? I got her at 8 weeks old and she h
No, this likely isn't your fault. It's not very well understood why some dogs develop separation anxiety, but it's thought it could be due to a sudden change in schedule, moving to a new home, losing a family member, or being adopted from a shelter. To help with Rosie's separation anxiety when you are gone, I will give you my suggestion to try to treat it. I would recommend crating her when you are gone. The crate will provide her a small space where she can feel safe in it when you are gone. You will have to slowly train her to get used to a crate. Start putting her in it when you are home and sitting nearby so she doesn't think you are abandoning her, and slowly increase the time she is in it. She can have toys in the crate, and puzzle toys with treats in it that she 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 her in the crate. That will keep her occupied for a while. Fi
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Why is it that a dog can have separation anxiety? What can be the cause of it?
No one knows the exact cause of separation anxiety in dogs. It can occur at any in any breed or gender. Dogs with a history of abuse or a traumatic separation from their owner are at increased risk of developing SA. Thankfully, there are medications and behavioral modification techniques that may lessen the degree of anxiety and decrease the chances of destructive behavior or self harm. You can find additional information in the Boop by Petco educational Center. I have included a few links below for your convenience. https://www.petcoach.co/article/separation-anxiety/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/top-5-ways-to-reduce-separation-anxiety-in-dogs/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/treatment-options-for-separation-anxiety-in-dogs/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Does my dog have sever separation anxiety?
Separation anxiety can occur in dogs but it takes a thorough exam, medical and behavioral history and potentially other tests to truly diagnose. Once it is diagnosed there are both medications and training to help manage the disease. I recommend seeing your veterinarian and discussing your concerns. It may be helpful to bring a behavior diary documenting what you are observing as possible separation anxiety.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Our pup is 5 months old and has severe separation anxiety. Whenever we leave the room, she finds a way to follow us. (She's become a bit of an escape artist but usually only to get to us.) I've also noticed even if I'm in the room but my fiance leave
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! It does sound like separation anxiety. It can happen in any breed. But some are more prone: German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, Huskies, Labs, Border Collies, Pointers, etc. https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-common-signs-of-separation-anxiety-in-dogs/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/top-5-ways-to-reduce-separation-anxiety-in-dogs/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
How do you know if your dog has separation anxiety?
Great question! When a dog has separation anxiety, typically you will see destructive behaviors from them when you leave the house, such as tearing up objects. They can also excessively salivate, whine, howl, bark, chew on things, defecate and/or urinate in the home, dig, or try to escape the house. If you are concerned that Fox may have separation anxiety, there are a few things you can do for it. 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. Tha
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My labradoodle is 9 yrs old and she just developed separation anxiety. Never had problems before. She is destoying our doors and screen doors to get outside. The was never a problem before. Why
If separation anxiety is suspected, the first step is to discuss the situation with a veterinarian and have the dog undergo a complete physical examination. It is important to make sure that a dog's behavior is truly due to separation anxiety and not from something else. For instance,a dog may bark when alone because he feels he is protecting his property or because he can hear another dog. A veterinarian may recommend some testing to determine if a dog has an underlying medical problem, which could contribute to behavior problems or make them worse. This is important considering he is suspected to have developed anxiety recently and quite suddenly. Tests may include a complete blood count (CBC), a chemistry panel, urinalysis, thyroid testing, a blood pressure check, and an electrocardiogram (ECG). These tests will also be important to evaluate the health status of a dog prior to being placed on any medication.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Is there a form of separation anxiety from another dog? She will have symptoms if away from our three year old Male Siberian husky. We got her to cure his SA which worked btw so anyone reading this later on GET ANOTHER DOG :) anyways she will yell if
Hi and thank you for using Boop by Petco. Yes, dogs can have seperation anxiety if away from their companion dog(s). Since Sienna is still young, some of it may be a bit of jealousy or fear of missing out. I would recommend trying to make sure that she is ok without him, just in case there is a time when they would need to be seperated for a bit (illness or veterinary visit) that she is ok on her own. As she is fairly young, it would be much easier to prevent full blown seperation anxiety by working with her now. But I'm so glad that Sienna has had such a positve impact on your male dog's anxiety.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Why is my dog anxious?Could I cause his anxiety problems beacuse I have bad anxiety? I have heard dogs pick up on their owners moods. How can I help him?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! While dogs definitely pick up on their owners behavior and moods, it’s probably not the sole cause of Oscar’s anxiety. Talk to to your vet about when Oscar seems to show anxiety and what that looks like (whining, destruction, aggression, etc.). Based on what kind of anxiety Oscar has and how severe it is, your vet will recommend reconditioning training and supplements or medications to help lower his anxiety threshold. Best wishes to you and Oscar!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Help!! I think my dogs have a form of separation anxiety, but it's causing a rift in my marriage. I am currently away from home to scatter my father's ashes and during the time i've been away the dogs will not let my husband alone or let him sleep,
This is a complex problem with many factors. For example: how are the dogs if you go out for a short while in the evening and your husband is at home? How does he respond to them when they start their nuisance behavior? There are times to correct it, and times to ignore it (because they may be looking for attention, and they know exactly what to do to get it--even if they are negative resposes, it is beter than nothing). Is their usual routine disrupted because you are gone? Do you and your husband enforce the same house rules all the time? I would suggest that you click on the prompt to start a consult, where we can discuss this at length and figure out what is going on. I am very sorry about the loss of your father.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, my 3 yr old Lab mix has severe separation anxiety, he follows us all around the house and never leave our side, he's very good when we leave him alone in the house when we go out, when I try to leave him alone in the back yard he starts whinin
Max may just be a dog who likes to be near you, or may be dealing with a medical issue or anxiety. 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 your pup feel better. I would advise seeing your veterinarian to rule out any medical causes for Max’s behaviour first, and also make sure his 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 his nervous energy and build his confidence. In some cases dietary changes, supplements and/or medication may be recommended by your vet to help get Max feeling more confident and independent. Also look into Adaptil, a synthetic pheromone
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Supplies Dog Food Dog Toys Dog Anxiety Medication Dog Health & Wellness Dog Anxiety Vests Dog Calming Aids and Supplements Calming Sprays & Diffusers for Dogs Prescription Horse Behavior & Anxiety Medication Cat Anxiety Medication Trazodone Dog Anxiety Medication Reconcile Dog Anxiety Medication Fluoxetine Dog Anxiety Medication Amitriptyline Dog Anxiety Medication Fluoxetine Dog Health & Wellness Fluoxetine Dog Calming Aids and Supplements Cerenia Dog Anxiety Medication PetAlive Dog Calming Aids and Supplements Clomicalm Dog Anxiety Medication Vet Worthy Dog Calming Aids and Supplements
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored