Separation stress

Separation stress is the milder, short-lived distress a dog shows when parted from its owner, falling short of the full clinical picture of separation anxiety.

A dog with separation stress may whine briefly, watch the door, pace for a few minutes or be slow to settle, then relax as the absence continues. The response is common, especially in puppies, newly adopted dogs and dogs whose owners have recently returned to working outside the home. It shades into separation anxiety when distress is intense, persistent throughout the absence, and accompanied by destruction, self-injury or house-soiling.

Veterinarians and trainers assess it through the owner's description and, ideally, video of the dog alone, which shows whether the dog settles or escalates. Gradual practice with short absences and predictable routines is the usual management. Cannabinoids have been examined in small studies of canine stress responses, and findings are preliminary; a veterinarian is the right person to consult if the behavior worsens.