Dog lovers experience an unexplainable comfort when beside their dogs. It’s like the world is a better place, and all worries easily cease. Canines can also distinguish if a person feels negative or positive emotions. Our beloved fur of sunshine can empathize and respond to what humans feel.

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However, even the jolliest and most sociable dogs feel sad when separated from their human. Separation anxiety is common for dogs. Signs of separation anxiety are:

• Howling
• Destruction
• House soiling
• Follows the owner wherever they go
• Restlessness
• Shaking
• Shivering
• Salivating
• Refusing to eat
• Silence

These distressed behaviors are often expressed before or after the owner leaves the house. Oftentimes, they show these signs even when separated for just a little time. These actions are due to being overly attached to the owner. Thankfully, you can ease the stressful situation and cure your dog’s separation anxiety. Owners can change their everyday routine and break separation anxiety bit by bit.

10 Adorable Dog Breeds with Separation Anxiety

If you are planning to adopt a certain dog breed, you have to prepare yourself by researching. See if the dog you are planning to adopt is on the list — to prepare for this situation. It’s best to be aware of the dog's triggers and how you can help them grow well.

Bichon Frise

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The Bichon Frise cloud of fluff tends to show signs of separation anxiety, as it is naturally born to be a companion dog. Their ideal owners should have a lifestyle where they rarely leave home. Through desensitization, Bichon Frise parents can still cure the dog's separation anxiety.

Border Collie

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Yes, even a sociable dog like the Border Collie gets to experience separation anxiety. Border Collies are intelligent dog breeds, and they enjoy brain-stimulating activities. Due to their love for social interaction and mental activities, they tend to get sad if left alone. Aside from that, they are physically active — without a playmate, the Border Collie will eventually display distressed behaviors out of separation anxiety.

Cocker Spaniels

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Fear, age, and traumatic events are the reasons why cocker spaniels experience separation distress. They are also born to be lap dogs, breeds of dogs that get highly attached to their owners. Cocker spaniels are excellent companion dogs — veterinary medication and desensitization can help in alleviating your dog's anxieties.

Labrador Retriever

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One of the most devoted dogs out there is the Labrador retriever. Due to this quality, although a great one, this dog breed easily feels stressed when away from its owner. Exercising with your lab before leaving home is the best way to break anxiety. A good run or walk in the morning can help — if not, it’s best to share this issue with your trusted vet to acquire medications or advice.

Italian Greyhound

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The Italian Greyhound loves to cuddle and stay near their beloved humans. They are known to be clingy, so this dog breed is not recommended for people who stay out until late at night. Training and lots of exercises can help the Italian Greyhound overcome stress and be less clingy.

King Charles Spaniel

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This dog breed will love you unconditionally — but they fear being left alone for more than two hours. It's easy to break separation anxiety during the puppy stage, and you can start from there and remember not to bring the puppy everywhere you go. A King Charles Spaniel will get used to being carried around — making them more prone to emotional stress if left behind.

German Shepherd

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Boredom is the worst enemy of a German Shepherd. Known as the dog with many occupations on their resume, they quickly get bored when left alone. They seek physical activities that also stimulate their mental abilities. You can train your GSD to calm themselves through counterconditioning and desensitization.

Chihuahua

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Leaving your chihuahua alone at home is not a good idea. Once alone, they will turn your house upside down. Chihuahuas wouldn't likely show these kinds of negative behaviors if you leave them with someone else or with family, however. Being alone is not normal for them, but you can cure this with medications and changing your daily routine.

Havanese

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As members of the lap dog society and family-loving creatures, a Havanese detests having no companion. They are intelligent toy dogs that you can surely train to overcome separation distress. If the Havanese puppy grows with you, it's best to teach them to slowly get accustomed to such a lifestyle from puppyhood.

German Shorthaired Pointer

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Being an active dog, a German Shorthaired Pointer is always on the go. They love to play and socialize, making this dog breed prone to separation anxiety. Owners shouldn't confine a German Shorthaired Pointer for long periods, and it may cause neurotic barking, hyperactivity, and destructive chewing.

Help Dogs Overcome Separation Anxiety

If your dog is still in its puppy phase, you are in luck — training them will be a lot easier. But that does not mean that your older dogs don't have a chance to overcome separation anxiety. Of course, they still can, and you just have to strengthen your patience and guide them with love.

Being a pet parent means you are responsible for nurturing your dog's mental, physical, and emotional health. Dogs are like children that need to be understood and require guidance from time to time, and your duty as their fur parent is to help them grow and change for the better.