Separation Anxiety: What It Looks Like and What Helps

True separation anxiety vs. boredom\n\nAnxiety: starts within 15–30 minutes of departure, signs are panic-driven (drooling, pacing, self-injury), occurs every time you leave.\n\nBoredom: random mischief, occurs sometimes, happy on your return rather than overwhelmed.\n\n## What helps (in order)\n\n1. Tire them out before you leave — long walk + 10 min mental work\n2. Do not make a big deal of departure or return — calm energy both ways\n3. Departure cue training — pick up keys/jacket without leaving, repeatedly. Decouple the trigger.\n4. Frozen kong or puzzle feeder — keeps them occupied first 30 min\n5. Background sound — talk radio, calm music, or recorded household noise\n6. Crate or safe space — only if positively trained as a den\n\n## Severe cases\n\nVeterinary anti-anxiety medication + behaviour modification. Effective for ~70% of severe cases. Not lifelong for most.\n\n## What does not help\n\n- Punishment\n- Getting "another dog for company" — often doubles the problem\n- Webcam without intervention plan\n\nBook a behavioural consult: +91 98711 55162.