Velcro Dog vs. Separation Anxiety
A crucial distinction in dog behavior lies between a pet that prefers your company and a pet that panics in your absence. A Velcro dog wants to be with you when you are home, but they generally settle down and sleep when you leave for work.
Separation anxiety is a diagnosed distress condition. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), dogs with true separation anxiety experience a severe panic response when separated from their owners.
A dog experiencing a panic disorder frequently tears up door frames, shreds window blinds, or chews through drywall in desperate attempts to escape and find you. They may bark or howl continuously, annoying neighbors and exhausting themselves. Inappropriate elimination is another hallmark symptom; the sheer terror of being alone causes an otherwise perfectly house-trained dog to lose control of their bladder or bowels.
