Helping your dog feel comfortable alone means practising absences they can handle, then gradually building up. This is desensitization. The aim is not to see how long your dog can endure being alone—it is to help them feel safe. [1, 2]

Here are seven common mistakes and what to do instead.

1. Making every absence longer

One comfortable attempt does not mean your dog is ready for a much longer absence. Adding time every day can push practice beyond what they currently handle.

Instead: repeat manageable steps and increase gradually, based on your dog’s behavior. If they become distressed, make the next attempt easier. There is no fixed number of seconds to add that suits every dog. [2, 3]

2. Watching the timer instead of your dog

A quiet dog may still be tense, pacing or watching the exit without settling. Completing the planned time does not automatically make an attempt successful.

Instead: watch through a camera or live video call. Compare posture, breathing and movement with your dog’s normal relaxed behavior. Record what happened alongside the duration: “rested on the bed” is more useful than “made it to two minutes.” [2, 4]

3. Waiting for barking to stop before returning

If your dog is distressed, waiting outside for silence can prolong a situation they cannot handle. Stopping the noise is not the same as reducing the fear.

Instead: aim to return before distress starts. If you miss that point, return calmly, let your dog settle and simplify the next attempt. Do not leave them to “cry it out” or punish barking, accidents or damage. [3, 5]

4. Using food to cover a difficult absence

A food toy may keep your dog occupied at first. But if they panic as soon as it is empty, the absence is still too difficult.

Instead: use familiar food toys only as an optional part of an absence your dog can handle. Watch the whole response, including what happens after eating. Treats can help create a pleasant association; they do not replace gradual practice. [2, 3]

5. Planning practice but not everyday departures

Short training attempts are only part of the picture. Work, shopping and appointments may require absences your dog is not ready for yet.

Instead: where possible, arrange help from someone your dog feels comfortable with. If longer absences are unavoidable, discuss a realistic plan with your veterinarian or a qualified reward-based behavior professional. One difficult departure does not mean you have ruined all progress. [2, 3]

6. Treating a setback as failure

Repeating yesterday’s duration at any cost can mean overlooking how your dog feels today. A harder session is information, not a reason to force another attempt.

Instead: return to an easier step. Note anything different, such as noise, a change in routine or signs of discomfort. Let your dog settle before considering more practice. If the change is sudden or keeps happening, ask your veterinarian for advice. [3, 4]

7. Waiting too long to ask for help

Barking or damage does not prove separation anxiety, and a generic training plan will not address every cause. Health problems, outside noises and distress about confinement may need a different response. [4]

Instead: seek an assessment if your dog repeatedly struggles alone. Get help promptly for self-injury, frantic escape attempts, severe distress or sudden behavior changes. A veterinarian can check health and discuss treatment, including medication when appropriate. It is not a sign that you have failed. [2, 4]

What to do in your next session

Choose one manageable step, watch your dog and record the result. In Galvani, you can time attempts, note signs of discomfort and review previous sessions. Use those observations to guide the next step, rather than chasing a longer time.

The rule to remember: comfort first, duration second.

Need a starting point? Read how to start home-alone training. Unsure what you are seeing? Check the signs of separation anxiety.

Sources

Research supports gradual desensitization, but does not establish one schedule that works for every dog. These sources cover behavioral approaches and veterinary guidance, not clinical testing of Galvani.

  1. Butler, Sargisson & Elliffe (2011). The efficacy of systematic desensitization for treating the separation-related problem behaviour of domestic dogs. A study of eight dogs.
  2. Sargisson (2014). Canine separation anxiety: strategies for treatment and management. Research review.
  3. ASPCA. Separation Anxiety. Guidance on gradual absences and managing everyday departures.
  4. VCA Animal Hospitals. Separation Anxiety in Dogs. Veterinary guidance on observation, alternative causes and treatment.
  5. RSPCA. Separation Anxiety in Dogs; AVSAB, Humane Dog Training Position Statement. Guidance on avoiding “cry it out” and punishment.