Separation anxiety is one of the most common and distressing behavioural problems in dogs, causing genuine suffering and often leading to surrender and euthanasia.
Dogs with separation anxiety experience genuine panic responses including elevated heart rate, panting and catastrophic fear. The condition is not disobedience but a phobia. Punishment for anxiety-related behaviour worsens the underlying fear. Unmanaged cases involve daily suffering for the dog and often result in rehoming or euthanasia.