Separation anxiety is panic, not disobedience. Dogs may salivate, pace, howl, chew doors, or soil the house within minutes of being left.
Start with ultra-short departures: step out for ten seconds, return before panic, and reward calm. Gradually lengthen the time across many sessions.
Build independence with mat training and alone-time in another room while you are home, so being apart is normal rather than a crisis.
Reduce triggers: leave a worn shirt with your scent, use calming music, and avoid dramatic hellos and goodbyes that spike arousal.
Severe cases need a veterinarian or certified behaviorist — medication can lower the panic enough that training works. Never punish the damage; the dog was terrified, not defiant.
