Separation anxiety in dogs (also known as SAD) is a behavioural disorder related to the animal’s inability to cope with the absence of their attachment figure.

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It is not a matter of “bad behaviour”, disobedience or manipulation, but rather an intense emotional response associated with fear and distress when the dog is left alone or perceives cues that signal separation.

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From a clinical perspective, it can manifest through persistent vocalisations, focused destruction (doors, windows, furniture or objects associated with the guardian’s departure), inappropriate elimination, excessive salivation, escape attempts or physiological signs of stress. In many cases, symptoms appear within the first few minutes after the guardian leaves and may continue throughout the absence.

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Separation anxiety is an animal welfare issue. It can cause a high level of emotional distress and, if not addressed appropriately, may become chronic or intensify over time. Treatment requires an individualised assessment and a structured behaviour modification plan. In some cases, coordinated intervention with a veterinary behaviourist may also be necessary to assess whether pharmacological support could be appropriate.

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It is important to distinguish separation anxiety from other situations such as boredom, lack of stimulation or medical conditions, as the appropriate approach will be different. For this reason, before starting any intervention programme, it is essential to carry out a detailed pre-assessment.

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Pre-assessment and personalised report

The pre-assessment is the first step in understanding what is happening and determining the most appropriate intervention strategy for each individual case.

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The process includes a detailed analysis of the information provided and, when necessary, additional questions, videos or other information that may help us complete the assessment.

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Once we have all the information we need, we prepare a personalised report, which will be sent to the guardian within the following days.

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The cost of the pre-assessment and personalised report is €90.

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If an intervention programme with Social Dogs is subsequently started, €50 of the pre-assessment fee will be deducted from the cost of the programme booked.

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The pre-assessment and report are an independent service and are payable even if an intervention programme is ultimately not started.

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When appropriate, the intervention is carried out online, with supervision and ongoing support from our educators, and is adapted to the pace of each family. The programme is available in both Spanish and English.

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We are here to support you throughout the process.