15 Dog Breeds Prone to Separation Anxiety

Written By

Mathew Abraham

Updated on

Mathew Abraham

Meet Mathew, Cat Dad and Animal Advocate! Mathew is the editor at PawDown, overseeing content strategy and quality. He's in charge of carefully curating the best pet stories, tips, and advice for you.

Sad looking dog
Claudio Olivares Medina/Pexels

Separation anxiety can be particularly challenging for certain dog breeds that thrive on human companionship. Dogs with strong emotional bonds to their families often struggle when left alone, leading to destructive behaviors like barking, chewing, and pacing. Recognizing breeds that are prone to separation anxiety can help you prepare for their unique needs and provide them with the training, stimulation, and comfort they require to thrive.

Labrador Retriever

Labrador retriever
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Labrador Retrievers are famous for their friendly, loyal nature and their deep affection for their families. However, this strong bond can make them highly susceptible to separation anxiety. When left alone, they might resort to behaviors like chewing furniture, excessive barking, or trying to escape. To help Labradors feel secure, it’s essential to establish a consistent routine, provide stimulating toys, and gradually train them to handle short periods of solitude, ensuring their mental and emotional well-being.

Border Collie

Border collie
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As one of the most intelligent and energetic dog breeds, Border Collies require continuous mental and physical engagement. Prolonged isolation can leave them feeling bored and anxious, often leading to behaviors such as nonstop barking or destructive chewing. Their herding instincts also contribute to their need for a sense of purpose. To prevent separation anxiety in Border Collies, owners should provide plenty of physical exercise, puzzle toys, and structured tasks that keep their sharp minds occupied even when they’re alone.

German Shepherd

German Shepherd indoors calm
Gribouillle/PixaBay

German Shepherds are incredibly loyal and protective dogs that form strong emotional attachments to their owners. This devotion, while endearing, makes them prone to separation anxiety when left alone. They may exhibit whining, howling, destructive behavior, or attempts to escape. To help a German Shepherd adjust, focus on consistent training, introduce them to independence gradually, and provide enrichment activities like interactive feeders or treat puzzles to reduce their stress during separation periods.

Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherd
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Australian Shepherds are energetic, intelligent, and social dogs that thrive on companionship and activity. When left alone for too long, they often develop separation anxiety, which can manifest in excessive barking, digging, or destructive chewing. These behaviors stem from their high need for mental stimulation and physical activity. To keep an Australian Shepherd content, ensure they have a structured daily routine, challenging toys, and frequent opportunities for exercise, which will help alleviate feelings of loneliness and anxiety.

Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise
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The Bichon Frise is a loving and cheerful breed that adores spending time with its family. Their deep attachment to their humans makes them vulnerable to separation anxiety, often resulting in whining, soiling, or destructive behavior when left alone. These small dogs benefit greatly from gradual training that helps them acclimate to alone time. Providing comfort items like a favorite blanket and engaging toys can also reduce their stress, ensuring they feel safe and secure even in your absence.

Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniel
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Cocker Spaniels are affectionate and gentle dogs that form strong emotional connections with their families. However, their deep reliance on companionship makes them prone to separation anxiety. When left alone, they may bark excessively, chew on furniture, or engage in pacing. To manage their anxiety, establish a consistent daily routine and provide them with engaging toys, such as treat-dispensing puzzles. Gradually exposing them to short periods of solitude can also help ease their stress, making them more confident in being alone.

Toy Poodle

Poodle (Toy, Miniature, and Standard)
carah_/Pixabay

Toy Poodles are intelligent, social, and deeply bonded to their owners, which makes them particularly prone to separation anxiety. When left alone for extended periods, they might exhibit behaviors like whining, chewing, or even scratching at doors. To help a Toy Poodle feel secure, provide mental stimulation through puzzle games and interactive toys. Training them to tolerate short absences by starting with brief separations and gradually increasing the time can also help reduce their dependency on constant human presence.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel crouching
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Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are known for their affectionate and loving nature, which makes them exceptional companions. However, their need for constant human interaction often leads to separation anxiety. They may bark, chew on objects, or soil the house when left alone for too long. To help Cavaliers manage their anxiety, ensure they have a predictable routine, offer comforting items like soft blankets, and use positive reinforcement to train them to feel safe and relaxed during their absence.

Havanese

Havanese: The Havana Delight
JackieLou/pixabay

The Havanese is a small, sociable dog that thrives on human companionship, making them highly susceptible to separation anxiety. When left alone, they may exhibit behaviors such as excessive barking, destructive chewing, or digging at doors. To keep a Havanese calm, provide plenty of mental stimulation through interactive toys and rotate activities to prevent boredom. Gradually training them to be comfortable with being alone can help minimize their anxiety and foster a sense of independence.

Italian Greyhound

Italian Greyhound
Alina Skazka/Pexels

Italian Greyhounds are sensitive and affectionate dogs that form close bonds with their owners, often preferring to stay by their side. This clinginess makes them prone to separation anxiety, which can manifest in behaviors like trembling, howling, or destructive chewing. To ease their anxiety, provide a safe and cozy environment where they feel secure. Gradually introduce short periods of alone time and reward calm behavior to help them adapt to being apart from their loved ones.

Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terrier
Ylanite Koppens/Pixabay

Jack Russell Terriers are lively and intelligent dogs that require constant stimulation to keep them content. Their high energy and close bond with their owners make them prone to separation anxiety. When left alone, they may resort to barking, digging, or chewing on furniture to cope with their distress. Regular exercise, interactive toys, and mental challenges, like agility courses or puzzle feeders, can help keep their minds engaged and reduce the likelihood of anxiety-related behaviors.

French Bulldog

French Bulldog
Alexia Bianchini/Pexels

French Bulldogs are affectionate, people-oriented dogs that thrive on being close to their families. Their dependence on companionship makes them particularly vulnerable to separation anxiety, which can show up as whining, howling, or destructive chewing. Providing a consistent daily routine and comfort items, such as a favorite blanket or toy, can help ease their anxiety. Gradual training to increase their tolerance for short periods alone can also foster a sense of security in these lovable companions.

German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointer looking into camera
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Energetic and loving, German Shorthaired Pointers are known for their strong attachment to their families. This bond can lead to separation anxiety when left alone for extended periods, often resulting in behaviors like barking, pacing, or chewing on objects. To prevent these issues, ensure they receive ample daily exercise, such as long walks or runs, and provide mentally stimulating activities like scent games. A predictable routine and gradual alone-time training can help these active dogs feel more comfortable on their own.

Vizsla

Vizsla
Anna-f/Pixabay

Nicknamed “Velcro dogs” for their clingy nature, Vizslas are known for their intense attachment to their owners. This strong bond makes them prone to separation anxiety, which can manifest as whining, destructive chewing, or escape attempts. To help them manage their anxiety, provide plenty of exercise and engaging activities to tire them out both mentally and physically. Gradually introducing alone time with positive reinforcement can help build their confidence and reduce feelings of distress.

Chihuahua

Close up of Chihuahua
Quang Nguyen Vinh/Pexels

Chihuahuas may be small, but their devotion to their owners is immense. This strong attachment often leads to separation anxiety when they’re left alone, resulting in behaviors like trembling, excessive barking, or destructive chewing. To help them feel more secure, create a comforting space with familiar items and gradually increase the time they spend alone. Providing stimulating toys and a predictable schedule can also help ease their anxiety and improve their overall well-being.

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