Helping Dogs Cope with Separation Anxiety

A familiar scent may provide comfort for some dogs left alone. However, one dog trainer suggests that pet owners should emphasize building their dog’s ability to cope with separation, rather than solely depending on a comforting object.

Emily Ryan found reassurance by leaving her worn T-shirt for her Cavalier King Charles spaniel puppy, Lady, during alone time. This method, commonly employed to ease separation anxiety, seemed helpful. Ryan observed through a pet camera that Lady found comfort in cuddling with the shirt.

Chris Edge, founder of K9Edge Dog Training, shared with Newsweek that comfort items alone might not address deeper issues some dogs experience when alone. He stated that simply leaving a shirt with the owner’s scent is not problematic. The emotional connection created around the item defines if it acts as comfort or stress.

Edge elaborated, “The shirt itself is not doing the work. It’s about the associations formed with the shirt.”

Lady’s Initial Struggles

When Ryan welcomed Lady home at eight weeks, the pup grappled with family separation. Ryan recounted via email how Lady cried and scratched at her pen, attempting to escape. This behavior was frequent in the early weeks as Lady adapted to her new surroundings.

Initially, Ryan tried letting Lady fall asleep in her bed, later moving her to the pen, but this upset the pup. Instead, Ryan made the pen a cozy and secure area, adding toys, a dog bed, blankets, and soft items. She continued to leave clothing with her scent, like her T-shirt, an idea she found online.

This helped Lady associate the shirt positively. Ryan noticed her pup played with the shirt briefly, then settled in and fell asleep.

The Role of Association

Dogs don’t automatically find an object comforting because it carries an owner’s scent. Dogs react to the experiences and emotions they associate with an item.

If a shirt repeatedly pairs with calm, positive moments, it can become a reassuring cue. Edge warned that if the shirt appears only before the owner leaves, it may signal upcoming stress and isolation.

The same idea applies to other tools such as crates, playpens, baby gates, calming music, and departure-specific treats. Edge emphasized, “The object itself doesn’t create comfort. It is the association developed with it.”

Building Independence

Edge mentioned that owners often err by focusing only on departure moments. He stated, “We can’t train during crisis moments; we train for them.”

Beyond practicing departures, Edge advised teaching calm behavior as a vital life skill. This involves fostering independent relaxation, building separation gradually, and creating predictable routines.

He remarked, “We can teach calm as a core behavior, teach independence in layers, teach relaxation, and offer predictable routines.” By practicing these skills before lengthy absences, dogs learn that time away is safe and manageable.

When Comfort Items Are Useful

Comfort items like a worn T-shirt can aid when integrated into an approach that fosters security and independence. Edge commented, “If the shirt is aligned with genuine relaxation, not panic, it cues the dog’s nervous system that everything is fine.”

Ryan highlighted Lady’s progress as she grew comfortable with her environment and routine. Lady now sleeps through much of the night, aside from occasional potty breaks, and returns to her pen without difficulty.

Ryan noted that Lady doesn’t spend all day in her pen. She plans to grant Lady more freedom as she matures, eventually allowing her to sleep in the bed. For now, Lady remains penned to prevent chewing incidents.

Every dog’s response varies, but Edge stated that the primary aim is helping dogs build confidence and emotional resilience. “Once we understand how our actions influence their responses, we can support their independence for life,” Edge emphasized.

For Lady, the T-shirt was just one part of a broader routine that aided her adjustment. But Edge noted that the ultimate goal is ensuring dogs feel secure before being left solo.