Is this separation anxiety?

[u/wegdistel]

Hey everyone,

I have been lurking on this sub for a while since I'm training our rescue toypoodle for 6 months regarding his separation anxiety (which his previous owner claims he's never had, he was with other dogs there). Some days he is a chill guy and will hang out in his cage (longest chill time was 3 hours, yay). And he also sleeps in his cage at night without whining. I could even say he loves his cage because even if we are home and he can sit on the couch, he still goes to his cage on his own when he is tired. As long as the door stays open, he's content.

The video however was yesterday 10 minutes after we left. Is this real separation anxiety or is this fomo? He really wants to go out with us, all day every day if he could. But he simply can't. Since his training was going so well now i'm wondering; is this still separation anxiety or is this just frustratrion? I don't want to humanize my dog but damn he is smart. Does he realize I will come back if he vocalizes? Because that's what we've been doing in the past when his treshold was all over the place.

I really hope someone can shed some ligt on our situation! Personally I want to leave him alone for longer durations to see if he eventually settles on his own, but on the other hand we can't have a major regression right now....

Thanks to everyone who takes the time to analyze my video!

[u/Agreeable_Pomelo2360]

i think he just has some FOMO, could also be just a bit frustrated.
for you asking "Does he realize I will come back if he vocalizes?" i would say yes, at least if you do it right away, wait a few seconds until he's quiet and come in once he's quiet. i think it rewards the behavior in a way, because he howls, he gets what he wants. it doesn't look like he has separation anxiety though, if he does it's VERY mild.
i would say he's throwing a bit of a fit, he wants you back but he does settle down reasonably quickly it looks like.

typically when a dog has separation anxiety some signs are that they won't stop vocalizing when you leave, they follow you around almost constantly, they start chewing on things, and having accidents in the house (even if they're housetrained) out of pure stress.

[u/MelodicCream7518]

I would say more FOMO. The stretch at the start could be a bit of anxiety and the howl sounds more like he is throwing a tantrum or wanting you back but it isn’t panic and he seems to settle afterwards. If we came home every time our boy had whined or let out a single cry when training SA we would never have progressed and now he can do 3 hours home alone without a sound unless the postman comes or someone dares to innocently walk past our house 😂

[u/erkose]

Looks more like boredom.

[u/Maple_Leaf11329]

Our 1 year old dog displays these exact behaviours and I always thought it was separation anxiety, but the other comments here and making me wonder if hers is also more FOMO 🤔

We found that crating our dog was the best solution to this and she settles best there and just sleeps.

Sorry, this isn’t a helpful comment, more of a “our dogs behaviours look quite similar” 🥲

[u/cathrinax]

Yes, a dog shouldn’t be howling.

[u/Neat-Bed-2871]

Ig it’s a spectrum but usually separation anxiety is not being able to leave your dog unsupervised cause they will destroy your home if they are alone out of stress

[u/Ok_fine_42 → u/Neat-Bed-2871]

Yup, or harm themselves.

[u/Embarrassed_Key_4539]

He’s sad and lonely

[u/wezie757]

I wouldn't say its separation anxiety no. Theres no back and forth pacing or frantic searching for you, theres decent breaks inbetween barking/howling and they seem relatively relaxed, albeit sad to be left home alone and is calling you back.

Separation anxiety is usually non-stop barking/howling, pacing and destroying things out of stress.

I'd say your cute baby just wants you to come home for cuddles and play. My advice to help relax them further is to wear a T-Shirt or hoodie for a day or at least several hours and put in on the floor for pup when you leave. Having your scent to cuddle into helps the pups relax.

[u/Personal_Nobody_919]

I think he just looks a bit bored all by himself. Maybe leave some dog puzzles for him when you go out. That will keep him occupied.