How to Prevent and Treat Puppy Separation Anxiety | Chewtorials
Puppy separation anxiety—it’s a phrase that can be as stressful for dog parents as the condition is for their pups. But there’s plenty you can do to soothe and avoid separation anxiety in your puppy. Follow these top tips from vet experts on soothing an anxious puppy.
What Are the Signs of Puppy Separation Anxiety and Discomfort?
Signs that your puppy may be nervous about being alone include:
Barking
Whining
Destructive chewing
Pawing at their crate
How to Help a Puppy With Separation Anxiety or Discomfort
Here’s the good news: There’s plenty you can do to soothe your anxious puppy. Follow these tips to give your dog the confidence they need.
1. Make Sure You’re Using the Right Size Crate
Hey, if you want your dog to feel comfortable in their den, you’ve gotta provide one that fits them! Remember: Your dog’s crate should be big enough that your puppy can stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably inside. But it shouldn’t be too much bigger than that—the goal is for it to feel like a cozy little den just for them.
For puppies, experts suggest using a larger crate that comes with a divider. That way, you can use the divider to create a smaller space when your puppy’s young, and move it or remove it entirely when they’ve grown older (and larger).
Follow these tips for measuring your dog for a dog crate: https://be.chewy.com/what-size-crate-does-my-dog-need-how-to-measure/
2. Make the Crate a Positive Space
Your puppy’s crate should be their absolute favorite spot (next to your lap, of course). And there are plenty of ways to inspire your dog to love their den. First, make sure it’s a comfortable place for them to be, with a crate-sized pad to lie on. Blankets or clothing that smells like you can help them feel secure in there, too.
Another sure-fire method: Reward your puppy for going inside the crate. When you catch them hanging out in there, shower them with tasty treats or their favorite toys.
Treat-dispensing toys and safe chew toys are ideal for distracting puppies from the fact that they’re alone. (Just make sure to supervise your puppy playing with any new toy, to ensure they can’t chew or break it into pieces that could become safety hazards.) Schade recommends using small, soft, high-value treats or a stuffable toy.
With proper training, some puppies will even race to their crate when they get home, because they know they’re going to get a busy toy inside. Now that’s a sign you’re pet parenting right!
3. Play With Your Puppy—a Lot
You know what they say: A tired puppy is a happy puppy. A tired puppy is also more likely to sleep than to worry about where you’ve gone. So before crating your dog and leaving the room, you’ll also want to give them lots of attention. Take them for a walk or a vigorous play session—or both!—and of course, make sure they get one final chance to potty before settling into their crate with those yummy toys and treats. Get more tips for calming a high-energy puppy: https://be.chewy.com/how-to-calm-a-high-energy-puppy/
4. Practice Short Departures
Once you’ve established the crate as a fun puppy haven, don’t leave them for a few hours right away. Puppy separation anxiety training starts by gradually leaving them alone for short increments, monitoring their behavior using a pet cam. The first time you leave, it may be just for a few seconds. When you return, keep your energy low-key to convey to your pup that coming and going is all a normal part of daily life.
5. Progress to Longer Stays
When your puppy is able to stay calm for those few seconds, work up to one minute, then 5, then 10 and beyond. Progress slowly and let your puppy set the pace. And remember to respect your puppy’s potty limit: They should never be crated longer than one hour for each month of age, up to a maximum of four hours in a row.
My Puppy Is Still Anxious—Now What?
If you’ve followed all of these steps and your puppy remains anxious—not settling down soon after you leave home or injuring themselves trying to escape their crate—it’s time to talk to your veterinarian. They can suggest other tactics, like anti-anxiety medications or a behavior modification plan, to help soothe your puppy’s separation anxiety.
Learning how to be apart from their parents is an essential part of growing up for any puppy—and for some pups, that’s a difficult transition. But don’t stress. Over time, your pup should learn that a little alone time is nothing to be afraid of—and that the minute you come back through the door is the best time of the day.
#chewtorials #chewy #howto #separationanxiety #puppyseparationanxiety
📊 Video Statistics
🎧 About This Track
This 2 minutes audio journey has been thoughtfully composed to provide an authentic experience featuring rain sounds that have been carefully recorded and mastered for optimal relaxation. The overall atmosphere is distinctly calm and cozy, creating an ideal environment for rest and rejuvenation. Every element has been balanced to ensure a consistent experience throughout, without jarring transitions or sudden changes that might disrupt your relaxation. The audio quality maintains professional standards, making it suitable for high-quality speakers, headphones, or sleep systems.
The rain sounds in this track range from gentle drizzles to steady rainfall, creating a natural rhythm that the human brain finds deeply soothing. Research has shown that rain sounds activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress hormones and promoting relaxation. The audio captures the full spectrum of rainfall, from the soft patter on leaves to the deeper tones of rain on various surfaces.
Listening to this audio can provide numerous benefits for both mental and physical well-being. Rain sounds have been scientifically shown to reduce cortisol levels, the primary stress hormone. The consistent, natural rhythm helps regulate heart rate and breathing, promoting a state of deep relaxation. Many listeners report improved sleep quality and reduced anxiety after incorporating rain sounds into their routines. For sleep specifically, this audio helps quiet an overactive mind and create consistent conditions for rest. Those dealing with anxiety have reported significant relief when using this audio as part of their coping toolkit.
Research in environmental psychology has demonstrated that rain sounds belong to a category called 'pink noise' - sounds that have equal energy per octave. Unlike white noise, pink noise more closely mimics natural sound patterns, which the human brain finds inherently calming. Studies published in the Journal of Theoretical Biology found that pink noise can enhance deep sleep by synchronizing brain waves with the sound patterns. The rhythmic, predictable nature of rainfall activates the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering a relaxation response that reduces heart rate and blood pressure.
The community response to this audio has been genuinely appreciative, with 3,960 likes reflecting the genuine impact it has had on listeners worldwide. In the comments section, listeners share personal stories of how this audio has helped them through difficult times, aided their sleep, or provided a reliable source of calm during stressful periods. Common emotional responses include feeling calm, happy, demonstrating the profound effect well-crafted audio can have on our mental state. Many listeners return to this track regularly, considering it an essential part of their self-care routine. The consistent quality and reliable results have built a dedicated community of listeners who trust this audio for their relaxation needs.
To get the most from this audio experience, consider your listening environment and equipment. For sleep use, start the audio about 15-30 minutes before your intended sleep time, allowing your mind to gradually unwind. Keep the volume low enough to be comforting without being stimulating. Consider using a sleep timer if your device supports it, or embrace the extended length for uninterrupted rest through the night. Consistency in your listening routine can amplify benefits over time, as your mind learns to associate these sounds with relaxation.
This audio is particularly effective during: Evening wind-down routines and bedtime; Overnight for continuous sleep support; Nap time for quick restoration. The versatility of this track means it adapts well to various situations and times of day. Listen when you feel the need for calm, or make it part of your regular routine for cumulative benefits.
Published by Chewy, this audio has been mastered for optimal streaming quality across all devices. At 2:54, this track works excellently with the built-in loop feature for extended listening sessions. The consistent audio levels throughout ensure no sudden volume changes that might disrupt your experience.
✨ Highlights
- ⭐ Reached 1 million+ views milestone
- 🌧️ Authentic rain sounds for natural relaxation
- 🎧 High-quality nature recordings
🎯 Best For
💡 Listening Tips
- 🔁 Enable looping for continuous relaxation
- 🔊 Keep volume moderate - rain works best not too loud
- 🎛️ Try the Ambient Sound Mixer to customize your experience
- 📱 Works great through phone speakers or Bluetooth
💬 What Listeners Say
"Great tutorial and what a cute puppy."
— @CyrissaWood 👍 1
"HES SO CUTE 😍😍😍😍😍🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰😘😘😘😘😘"
— @b3trayed1x4_SMC 👍 7
"Thank you for the tips."
— @valerie9762
📖 How to Get the Most Out of This Audio
To fully enjoy "How to Prevent and Treat Puppy Separation Anxiety | Chewtorials", we recommend the following approach:
- Set the Scene: Find a comfortable position, dim the lights if possible, and minimize distractions.
- Use Quality Audio: Headphones or quality speakers will enhance the experience significantly.
- Adjust Volume: Keep the volume at a comfortable background level - loud enough to hear, quiet enough to relax.
- Enable Loop: Click the Loop button above for continuous play during your session.
- Try the Mixer: Use our Ambient Sound Mixer below to customize the audio with additional sound layers.
This 2:54 track is ideal for relaxation, focus, sleep. With 1.4M views, it has become a trusted choice for thousands of listeners worldwide.