Raising Happy Dogs with Sarah Hodgson Separation Anxiety vs Early Separation Stress: How to Reassure Your Puppy
Oct 17, 2025
Discover the fascinating distinctions between early separation stress and clinical separation anxiety in puppies. Learn why these young canines biologically crave closeness, rooted in their evolutionary past. Explore practical tips to create a safe den-like space and understand the grieving process when they leave their litter. Uncover effective ways to respond to puppy whining without reinforcing anxiety, and how low-key departures can ease the transition. This insightful discussion ensures puppies grow confident and secure, ready to thrive in their new homes.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Separation Anxiety vs Developmental Stress
- Separation anxiety is a physiological condition akin to a human anxiety attack with chronic consequences.
- Early Separation Stress (ESS) is a different, developmental response rooted in evolutionary safety needs.
Puppies Are Evolutionary Prey
- Puppies under ~8 months are prey‑stage: they seek safety in numbers and lack adult defenses.
- This makes being alone inherently frightening rather than a sign of pathology.
Make Home Feel Like A Den
- Create a den‑like safe space: cozy, dark, buffered from outside sounds and optionally covered crate.
- Use that space to help puppies hunker down when adults leave so they feel secure.