Is It Stress or Just Bad Manners?
Coming home to shredded furniture or endless complaints about barking is exhausting. When your dog acts out while alone, the challenge is figuring out if they're acting from genuine distress (Separation Anxiety) or if they're simply bored. Treating one problem as the other won't work and often makes the situation worse.
This guide provides a crucial tool: a simple, evidence-based checklist. By understanding when the behaviour starts and where the destruction is focused, you can accurately diagnose your dog’s stress. Stop guessing, stop punishing, and start applying the right solution to give your dog the peace and security they need.
The Critical Difference: Why Diagnosis Matters
When your dog is destructive or noisy while you're out, it's easy to assume they're just being naughty or bored. However, treating a problem incorrectly is not only ineffective, but it can make genuine anxiety much worse.
If your dog has Separation Anxiety (SA), their destruction is a frantic panic response. Punishment or leaving them puzzle toys will not stop the panic; it may even exacerbate their fear. SA requires a specialized, slow training and management plan led by a professional.
If your dog is merely bored, the destruction is an attempt to create their own entertainment or release pent-up energy. Treating this as SA (by constantly practicing short departures) is overkill and ignores the true solution: more exercise and engaging mental enrichment.
The key to success is understanding the root cause. Do you have a panicked dog who desperately needs connection and security, or an under-stimulated dog who needs a job and a better energy outlet? The checklists that follow will provide the clarity you need.
Separation Anxiety Checklist: Is Your Dog Struggling?
Separation Anxiety (SA) is a true panic disorder—the dog is in a state of terror because they believe they have been abandoned. The behaviours are not deliberate "revenge" or misbehaviour; they are frantic attempts to cope or escape. If you answer Yes to two or more of the following, your dog likely suffers from SA:
| Symptom | Description |
| Pre-Departure Cues | Does your dog become stressed, clingy, or start pacing the moment you pick up your keys, put on your coat, or walk towards the door? |
| Immediate Onset | Does the barking, howling, or destruction begin within minutes (often 10–20) of your departure, or while you're still pulling out of the driveway? |
| Exit-Focused Destruction | Is the damage focused only on the boundaries? Look for chewing, digging, or scratching at door frames, window sills, or crate bars. |
| Inappropriate Toileting | Does your house-trained dog urinate or defecate inside only when you are absent? This is a physical stress response, not a lack of training. |
| Excessive Salivation/Pacing | When you return, is the floor wet with excessive drool, or has the dog worn a frantic track into the carpet from constant pacing or circling? |
| No Food/Toy Interest | Did the dog ignore or leave untouched the high-value, tempting chew (like a stuffed Kong or treat) you specifically left out for them? |
| Core Element | Do these behaviors only occur when the owner or primary attachment figure is absent? |
The Core Element: Absence of Owner
Use the timeline as your guide: Destruction that begins hours into your absence (after a nap) and is absent when you are merely busy at home suggests simple boredom. Conversely, a frantic attempt to escape, which starts the moment the door closes, is the hallmark sign of separation anxiety and signals the need for professional behavioral therapy.
Boredom/Lack of Stimulation Checklist: Just a Naughty Dog?
A bored dog is often an enterprising dog—they start destructive projects simply to occupy their time and expend unused energy. These behaviors are generally less panicked and more focused on fun or curiosity. If you answer Yes to two or more of the following, your solution likely lies in increased exercise and mental enrichment:
| Symptom | Description |
| Delayed Onset | Does the unwanted behaviour (e.g., chewing a cushion, going through the bin) start hours after you've left, often after a long nap? |
| Non-Focused Destruction | Is the damage scattered and unrelated to exits? Look for chewed remote controls, shredded pillows, or stolen items from low tables. |
| Destruction When You're Home | Does your dog also engage in unwanted chewing or seeking trouble when you are home but too busy to play or supervise them? |
| Easily Distracted | Can your dog be redirected from the unwanted item to a toy or treat with a simple noise or command, especially if you are present? |
| Accepts Treats | Did the dog happily and immediately consume the high-value chew, puzzle toy, or food reward you left for them before destroying other things? |
| Energy Level | Does your dog typically receive less than one hour of active physical and mental exercise per day? |
| Core Element | Do these behaviors feel like mischievous, exploratory actions rather than frantic panic or distress? |
The Core Element: Under-Stimulation
If your dog is happily eating the Kong you left but then goes on to chew the leg of a chair, that is not panic; that is a sign they ran out of ways to entertain their brain. Their environment and routine need an enrichment upgrade, not behavioural therapy.
What Your Diagnosis Means: First Steps to Help
Your diagnosis from the checklist is not the end—it's the beginning of a tailored solution. Based on your results, here are the crucial first steps you should take immediately:
If the Diagnosis is Separation Anxiety (SA)
SA is a panic disorder, meaning the solutions must focus on desensitization and management, not punishment.
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Consult a Professional: Your first step must be to contact a Certified Veterinary Behaviourist (CVB) or a certified, positive-reinforcement trainer with experience in SA. They will create a slow, structured desensitization plan (practicing short, non-stressful departures) that you cannot safely do alone.
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Avoid Dramatic Departures and Arrivals: Do not make a fuss when leaving or returning. Wait until your dog is calm before greeting them. This reduces the emotional gravity of your absence.
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Consider Calming Aids: Consult your vet about products that can help manage stress, such as diffusers (releasing calming pheromones), thunder shirts, or vet-recommended calming supplements before engaging in specialized training.
If the Diagnosis is Boredom / Lack of Stimulation
If the issue is boredom, the solution lies in upgrading your dog's daily routine to exhaust both their body and their brain.
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Increase Mental and Physical Exercise: Ensure your dog gets a minimum of one structured walk and one structured mental exercise session (like puzzle toys, scent work, or a training drill) daily. A dog that is truly tired is less likely to destroy things out of boredom.
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Enrichment is Key: Only leave your dog with high-value, long-lasting enrichment toys when you depart. This means frozen Kongs, snuffle mats, or tough edible chews that take a minimum of 20 minutes to consume. Rotate these toys daily so they stay novel and exciting. Treats from our chew range contain several longlasting chews which may meet your needs.
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Consider Daycare or a Walker: If your dog has high energy (e.g., a working breed), investing in doggy daycare or a professional dog walker on days you are away can bridge the energy gap, ensuring they are truly too tired to cause trouble when home alone.
Conclusion: A Clear Path to a Calmer Dog
Ending the cycle of destructive behaviour starts with accurate diagnosis. By using this simple checklist, you now have a better understanding of whether your dog is struggling with a panic disorder (Separation Anxiety) or simply has an unmet need for mental and physical stimulation (Boredom). This will be invaluable if you need to seek professional assistance, as you will already have answers to the preliminary questions. Stop wasting time and effort on the wrong solutions. Commit to the specific plan for your dog's diagnosis—whether that means professional behavioural help or upgrading their daily enrichment routine—and pave a clear path to a calmer, happier life for both of you.
