Separation anxiety is a serious welfare concern causing intense distress in dogs left alone. Modern evidence-based treatments can dramatically improve outcomes for affected dogs.
Separation anxiety causes genuine psychological suffering. Dogs experiencing it show physiological stress responses equivalent to extreme fear situations. The chronic nature of the condition - occurring every time the dog is left alone - means some dogs spend enormous proportions of their lives in acute distress. Beyond the immediate suffering, chronic stress compromises immune function and contributes to other health problems. Effective treatment dramatically improves quality of life.