Glasgow Pain Score Calculator
Assess your dog's pain level using the Glasgow Composite Pain Scale. Score behavioral indicators to determine severity and know when to seek vet care.
Start AssessmentSeparation anxiety is one of the most common and most misunderstood behavioral conditions in dogs, affecting an estimated 14-17% of the canine population. True separation anxiety is a panic disorder - not disobedience, spite, or boredom - in which dogs experience genuine distress when separated from their attachment figure. Understanding whether your dog has true separation anxiety (panic-based), simulated separation anxiety (behavior maintained by learning), or isolation distress (fear of being alone regardless of who is present) is essential for choosing the correct treatment approach. The Separation Anxiety Screening Tool evaluates your dog's specific presentation to distinguish between these categories.
Diagnosis: True Separation Anxiety vs. Other Causes
Use the table below to compare Diagnosis: True Separation Anxiety vs. Other Causes.
| Feature | True Separation Anxiety | Simulated Separation Anxiety | Isolation Distress | Boredom/Under-Exercise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triggers distress when | Specific attachment person leaves | Only when not getting desired attention | Any human leaves | Not specific to departure |
| Behavior when specific person present | Normal, calm | May misbehave to get attention | Normal | Normal if needs met |
| Onset of problem behaviors | Within minutes of departure; often immediately | Variable - may be opportunistic | Any absence | After extended period alone |
| Video evidence during absence | Persistent frantic distress | Calm periods; purposeful behaviors | Persistent distress | Chewing, exploration, activity |
| Response to second person staying | Still distressed (if attachment person is gone) | Calms if any attention source is present | Calms if any person is present | Calms with any engagement |
| Response to exercise before departure | Marginal improvement | Some improvement | Marginal improvement | Significant improvement |
| History | Often develops after change; shelter dogs; velcro breeds | Inadvertent reinforcement of demand behaviors | Under-socialized to solitude | High-energy breed, insufficient exercise |
The DISHAA-SA Assessment for Separation Anxiety Severity
Use the table below to compare The DISHAA-SA Assessment for Separation Anxiety Severity.
| Severity | Absent Duration Triggering Distress | Behavior During Absence | Recovery on Return | Treatment Approach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild | Only with full departures; brief settling period | Moderate vocalization or pacing; settles within 20-30 min | Quick recovery | Behavior modification alone; graduated departures |
| Moderate | Departure cue alone triggers distress | Persistent vocalization, pacing, destruction | Prolonged frantic greeting; slow recovery | Behavior modification + possible medication support |
| Severe | Pre-departure cues trigger panic | Continuous severe distress; self-harm possible; cannot settle | Extreme; cannot calm for 30+ minutes | Medication essential; behaviorist referral |
Evidence-Based Treatment for Separation Anxiety
Behavior Modification (Required in All Cases)
Graduated departure desensitization: systematically teaching the dog that departures are safe through sub-threshold exposures. This requires starting below the threshold that triggers anxiety (sometimes just picking up keys) and building tolerance very gradually. The protocol, developed by experts including Malena DeMartini-Price, can take weeks to months but produces lasting results when followed correctly.
Medication (Essential in Moderate-Severe Cases)
Use the table below to compare Medication (Essential in Moderate-Severe Cases).
| Medication | Type | Role in SA Treatment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fluoxetine (Prozac) | Daily SSRI | Lowers baseline anxiety; enables behavior modification to work | FDA-approved (Reconcile brand) for canine SA; 4-6 weeks to full effect |
| Clomipramine (Clomicalm) | Daily TCA | Similar to fluoxetine; FDA-approved for canine SA | Tricyclic antidepressant; cardiac screening recommended |
| Trazodone | Situational or daily adjunct | Added for departure events or until SSRIs take effect | Sedating; useful for acute anxiolytic support |
| Alprazolam | Situational only | Emergency anxiolytic for extreme departures while building protocol | Short-acting benzodiazepine; controlled substance |
What Does NOT Work for Separation Anxiety
- Getting a second dog - may help isolation distress but not true SA; often adds a second anxious dog to the household
- Punishing departure behaviors - the dog cannot control panic responses; punishment increases anxiety
- Dominant or pack-leader training approaches - separation anxiety is not about dominance; irrelevant and counterproductive
- Simply crating the dog - a panicking dog in a crate will injure themselves; a crate can worsen SA if used incorrectly
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does separation anxiety treatment take?
Mild cases: 4-12 weeks of consistent behavior modification. Moderate cases: 3-6 months of behavior modification plus medication. Severe cases: 6-18 months; some dogs require lifelong medication management. Consistency is the single most important factor - skipping steps in the protocol to speed things up routinely causes regression.
Can my dog be left alone while going through treatment?
Ideally, no. Every departure that triggers a full panic response reinforces the anxiety. During active treatment, use a dog sitter, daycare, or bring the dog to work while building absences very gradually. This is often the most challenging logistical aspect of treatment.
Note: Separation-related behaviour can come from anxiety, boredom, routine changes, or health issues, so track patterns before making major changes.
Helpful related calculators
Continue with Glasgow Pain Score Calculator, C-BARQ: Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire, Canine Stress Calculator for the next practical step.
