Many puppies come home while their owners are working from home, on leave, or simply around more than usual. The puppy gets used to company every hour of the day.

Then one Monday, everyone heads back to the office. And the puppy, who has never really been alone, panics.

In a condo, that often means howling, a complaint from the neighbours and a letter from the building admin. But the puppy isn’t being naughty or spiteful. Something much simpler is going on.

Why Being Alone Feels So Hard

Dogs are social animals. For a young puppy, being with their people means safety. Being suddenly alone, in a quiet unit with strange lift noises and footsteps in the corridor, can feel genuinely frightening.

Being alone is something a puppy has to learn, just like walking on a leash. Nobody is born knowing it. A puppy who has never practised it has no way of knowing you are coming back.

Why Condo Puppies Struggle More

City life adds its own pressures. Units are small, walls are thin and there is always noise: doorbells, deliveries, construction, the neighbour’s dog. A puppy who is already uneasy hears every sound, and every sound can set off another round of barking.

Many condo puppies also get less time outdoors than they need, especially in the heat or the rainy season. A puppy with lots of energy and nothing to do is far more likely to fret when left.

Common Mistakes Owners Make Without Realising

Most separation struggles start with good intentions:

• Never leaving the puppy at all in the first weeks, then suddenly leaving for a full day.
• Long, emotional goodbyes and big, excited greetings, which make comings and goings feel like a huge event.
• Leaving a young puppy far longer than they can cope with.
• Assuming the puppy will just “get used to it”.

Signs Your Puppy Is Struggling

Watch out for:

• Constant barking, whining or howling after you leave.
• Chewing or scratching at doors and windows.
• Toilet accidents that only happen when you’re out.
• Drooling, panting or pacing.
• Frantic greetings when you return, or following you from room to room.

One or two of these now and then is normal for a young puppy. If they happen every time you leave, your puppy is finding it genuinely hard.

Preventing Separation Anxiety in Puppies

The good news is that most separation stress can be prevented. A few simple principles go a long way:

• Start small and build up gradually. Short, regular absences from the very first weeks teach your puppy that being alone is normal and that you always come back.
• Keep departures and returns calm. Low-key goodbyes and relaxed hellos make your comings and goings a non-event rather than a big emotional moment.
• Give them something to do. A safe chew, a food puzzle or a stuffed toy gives your puppy something pleasant to focus on while you’re out.
• Meet their needs before alone time. A walk, a sniff around and some play beforehand mean your puppy is more likely to settle and rest.
• Don’t make every moment a together moment. Even when you’re home all day, let your puppy spend some time resting on their own in another room or their own space.
• Build independence. Reward calm, settled behaviour using positive reinforcement, and let your puppy learn that quiet time on their own is relaxing, not scary.

Every puppy and every household is different, so go at your puppy’s pace. Caught early, separation stress is very manageable, and the effort you put in now pays off for the rest of your dog’s life.

If Your Older Dog Already Has Separation Anxiety

True separation anxiety is different from a puppy who is still learning. It is a real behaviour issue, and it rarely fixes itself. The longer it goes on, the more ingrained it becomes, and well-meant DIY fixes can easily make it worse.

If your adult dog panics every time you leave, the best route is to work with a professional dog trainer who can assess your dog and your home and help you address it correctly. If you notice sudden changes, such as new toilet accidents, changes in appetite or signs of pain, check in with your vet as well, as a health problem can sometimes sit behind behaviour changes.

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