If your dog has spent the last few years getting used to you being home most of the time, a return to the office can hit them harder than you'd expect. Destroyed furniture, non-stop barking, accidents despite being fully house-trained — these are some of the most common signs of separation anxiety, and they've become one of pet owners' top behavioral concerns as more people head back to in-person work. The good news is that separation anxiety is very manageable with the right approach.
Is It Separation Anxiety, or Just Boredom?
The two are often confused but call for different solutions. Boredom-related destruction tends to be scattered and situational — chewed shoes here, dug-up plants there. True separation anxiety usually centers around exit points (doors, windows), starts within minutes of you leaving, and often comes with vocalizing, pacing, or house-training accidents specifically tied to your absence, not a general lack of activity.
Start With Short, Deliberate Departures
If your dog has rarely been left alone, don't jump straight into an 8-hour workday. Practice short absences first — a few minutes, then gradually longer — so your dog learns that you leaving reliably means you'll come back. Keep departures and returns low-key and unemotional; a big excited hello or a long, dramatic goodbye actually reinforces the idea that your leaving is a big deal.
Make Alone Time Something to Look Forward To
Pairing your departure with something genuinely engaging helps your dog build a positive association with being alone, rather than just tolerating it. A puzzle feeder or a toy that only comes out when you leave works well here, since it gives your dog something to focus on right at the moment anxiety would normally spike.
Support Their Nervous System, Not Just Their Boredom
For dogs with more significant anxiety, gentle, consistent pressure can help calm their nervous system during the specific window when anxiety peaks — usually the first 20-30 minutes after you leave. A snug, breathable calming vest is worth trying before you head out the door on workdays. Our Dog Anxiety Calming Vest is designed for exactly this kind of situational stress, and many owners put it on a few minutes before leaving so it's already working by the time they're out the door.
Give Them a Comfortable Home Base
A consistent, cozy resting spot — away from windows and doors where they might fixate on watching for you — gives your dog somewhere to settle rather than pace. Our Fluffy Donut Dog Bed works well as a designated "safe zone" bed that's only ever positive — never used for time-outs or corrections.
Tire Them Out the Right Way Before You Go
A dog with pent-up physical and mental energy is far more likely to spiral into anxious behavior when left alone. A walk, a short training session, or active play before you leave for work helps take the edge off, making it easier for your dog to settle into rest mode once you're gone.
When to Get Professional Help
Mild separation-related stress often improves with consistency and the strategies above. But if your dog is injuring themselves trying to escape, having accidents despite being reliably house-trained, or showing signs of panic (heavy drooling, destroyed doors or window frames), it's time to talk to your vet or a certified dog behaviorist. Severe separation anxiety sometimes requires a structured desensitization plan or, in some cases, medication alongside behavioral work — and there's no shame in needing that extra support.
A Simple Before-You-Leave Routine
- 30-60 minutes before: a walk or active play session
- 10 minutes before: calming vest on, if your dog uses one
- At departure: a puzzle toy or long-lasting chew, calm and low-key goodbye
- On return: a calm greeting, not an overly excited one, once your dog settles
The Takeaway
Separation anxiety is common, especially right now as more owners transition back to in-person work, and it's rarely something dogs "just get over" without a little structure. A consistent pre-departure routine, the right calming support, and patience during the adjustment period make a real difference for most dogs within a few weeks.
Shop calming and comfort essentials to support your dog through this transition in our full store.
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