Separation anxiety doesn’t show up overnight. It creeps in—quietly, gradually—until the moment you realize your dog can’t be alone without panic setting in. But here’s the good news: you can start preventing it from day one. And if you’re already seeing the signs? There’s still a clear path forward.
This guide breaks down what causes separation anxiety in puppies, how to prevent it, how to fix it, and how to avoid the most common traps new owners fall into. We’ll also cover those high-traffic search topics: second dogs, self-settling, and introducing new dogs to your household.
Most puppies aren’t born anxious. We build it—without meaning to—through our routines, our guilt, and our well-meaning affection.
Here are the core drivers:
I experienced this firsthand with our pup, Ranger. He was a COVID puppy and that meant we were all home with him, all the time. Crate training fell by the wayside. Alone time? Nonexistent. Ranger was thrilled—until the pandemic ended and we had to go back to work and we wanted to have a social life again. That’s when howling in the apartment started, along with call from our neighbors. It took time to correct, but the good news is with an intentional plan we got through it and he's now able to chill by himself, if not happily, then comfortably at least.
The first 48 hours with a new puppy aren’t just about cuddles and cleanup—they’re when your dog starts forming their understanding of the world. This includes how they experience being alone.
“The first 48 hours set the stage for everything that follows.”
— Help! I Got a Puppy
Here’s how to lay the groundwork:
Think of it this way: you’re not teaching them to tolerate solitude—you’re teaching them to feel safe when they'e along.
A crate isn’t just for potty training. It’s a foundational tool for emotional security. When introduced the right way, the crate becomes your dog’s room. It’s where they go to nap, decompress, or just watch the world from a safe spot.
Toronto, my first dog as an adult, loved his crate. He’d put himself in there all the time—sometimes to chew a bone, sometimes just to catch a nap. It was his space.
One day, I figured he was old enough to have free roam of the apartment while I was at work. I felt pretty confident he was ready, so I left the crate door open and headed out.
When I got home, there he was—sitting inside the crate, door wide open, just waiting. He hadn’t touched the rest of the place. He didn’t know what to do with all that freedom.
That’s what a crate can do when it’s introduced the right way. It becomes a place of comfort. A fallback. Even when the door’s open.
“Even with the door open, Toronto would choose to curl up inside. It was his room.”
— Help! I Got a Puppy
To make the crate a win:
Your goal is to create a space that feels like a retreat, not a timeout.
You can absolutely course-correct, but it takes time and consistency. The key is to disrupt the anxiety loop early—and often.
No goodbyes. No “Mommy loves you.” Just pick up your keys and go.
Leave for one minute. Come back like it’s nothing. Slowly build up time without ever turning your return into a party.
Give your puppy a job while you’re gone:
These tools not only distract—they redirect mental energy away from panic and toward problem-solving.
Only if we let them. And most of us… don’t.
Puppies need unstructured time to self-regulate. If we’re always entertaining them, they never learn how to rest on their own.
“Most puppy problems aren’t ‘bad behavior.’ They’re unmet needs, unclear communication, or unrealistic expectations.”
— Help! I Got a Puppy
Here’s how to encourage self-settling:
Sometimes—but not always.
A second dog can provide company. But if your puppy is overly attached to you, they might just transfer the dependency.
Before adding a second dog, ask:
A second dog should be a carefully considered addition—not a therapy tool for the first one.
If you are bringing a second dog into the mix, do it with intention.
“Fall in love, yes. But choose wisely. Use your head and your heart.”
— Help! I Got a Puppy
Step-by-step intro plan:
If either dog shows persistent stress or resource guarding, bring in a trainer early.
Q: How long can I leave my puppy alone?
A: A loose rule: their age in months = hours alone (up to 5). But emotional tolerance varies. Start with minutes, not hours.
Q: Should I say goodbye before I leave?
A: Nope. Keep it casual. The less emotional weight you attach to leaving, the easier it is for them.
Q: What if they cry in the crate?
A: Wait for a pause in the crying, even a few seconds, before returning. Otherwise, they learn that crying brings you back .
Q: Do all puppies get separation anxiety?
A: No. But every dog benefits from independence training. Think of it as emotional insurance.
You can have a dog that knows a dozen commands—but if they panic every time you leave the room, you’re both going to struggle.
Preventing separation anxiety is easier than fixing it. But fixing it is possible. You just need a plan, a routine, and a willingness to start small.
So whether your puppy just came home or you’re deep in the anxiety weeds, don’t panic. Start with one quiet departure. One calm return. One crate session with a frozen Kong.
Then do it again. And again.
Because this isn’t about training perfection. It’s about building trust—and trust takes time.
Set yourself (and your pup) up for success with these next steps:
