What is separation anxiety in dogs?

Separation anxiety in dogs describes a condition in which a dog exhibits distress and behavior problems when separated from its handler. It can be triggered by traumatic events such as being bitten by other dogs, being mistreated, changes in routes, and major life changes such as new pets or children being added to the family.

It it is not fully understood why some dogs suffer from separation anxiety. The diagnosis process often leads to a misdiagnosis as it is difficult to differentiate from other medical and behavioral problems. The behavior may be secondary to an underlying medical condition. With chronic stress, impairments to physiological health can manifest. Increased stress in the dog alters hormone levels, thus decreasing natural immunity to various health problems.