Quick answer
A camera is the best way to know what your dog does when you leave, because chewed doors and accidents only show the end of the story. The American Kennel Club recommends getting audio or video of your dog while you are away before deciding the problem is separation anxiety.
Point the camera at the door you leave through and your dog's resting spot, record the first 30 to 60 minutes, and watch for when stress starts: whining, pacing, panting, scratching at the door or drooling. In one video study of dogs with separation problems, most showed signs within 10 minutes. A dog who naps after a few minutes is likely coping. A dog who is still upset at the door after several minutes needs shorter, easier practice. Skip the talk back and treat tossing features at first, since hearing you without seeing you can wind some dogs up.
This answer is part of Dog Separation Anxiety: The Complete Guide, written by The Alone & Okay team.
Why does a camera change everything?
Owners usually find out about alone time problems from the evidence: a shredded cushion, a scratched door, a note from a neighbor. The ASPCA points out that damage and accidents can have many causes, from incomplete house training to boredom to real distress. The difference is often in the timing and the pattern, which you can only see on video.
Video also keeps you honest about progress. In a study by Palestrini and colleagues (2010), researchers filmed 23 dogs with separation-related problems for up to an hour after their owners left. Vocalizing, being oriented toward the surroundings, panting and destruction were the main behaviors, and most dogs showed signs within the first 10 minutes. That early window is exactly what a camera lets you catch.
How do you set up the camera?
- Placement. Aim it so you can see the exit door and where your dog usually rests. If your dog uses several rooms, one wide angle view of the main area is better than a close up of the bed.
- Sound on. Many stress signs, like whining and soft howling, are easier to hear than to see.
- Live view plus recording. Live view lets you end a practice absence on time. Recording lets you review it later.
- No camera? A laptop or old phone on a video call with your own phone works for practice sessions.
- Privacy. Check the camera's settings, use a strong password and point it away from places guests would not want filmed.
What should you record?
- Your normal leaving routine, from picking up keys to closing the door.
- The first 30 to 60 minutes after you leave. The ASPCA notes that most anxious reactions happen in the first 40 minutes.
- A few minutes before you come home, to see whether your dog settles or is waiting at the door.
Do this on two or three different days, and write down the time of the first stress sign each day.
What signs should you look for?
| What you see | What it often means |
|---|---|
| A short protest, then lying down, chewing a toy or sleeping | Likely coping |
| Whining, pacing or panting that grows instead of fading | Distress about being alone |
| Scratching or chewing at the exit door or window frames | Escape attempts, a common separation anxiety sign |
| Barking at sounds outside, then settling | Reacting to triggers, often more of a barking issue |
| Playing with or destroying random objects while relaxed | Boredom or a young dog's chewing |
The ASPCA's list of separation anxiety signs includes barking and howling, chewing and digging at exits, escape attempts, pacing, accidents and drooling, all of which typically do not happen when the owner is home. If you hear barking, our dog barking guide helps you separate trigger barking from distress.
Should you use talk back or treat tossing?
Many cameras let you speak to your dog or toss a treat. It feels kind, but be careful early on. For a dog who is upset because you are gone, hearing your voice without you appearing can raise their hopes and then disappoint them. Some dogs run to the door or get more vocal. Treats tossed during a stress episode can also end up timed to whining.
Watch quietly at first. Later, once your dog is calm alone, you can test a treat toss when they are already relaxed and see how they respond.
How do you use the camera during training?
The camera is most useful once you start practicing. The ASPCA's approach is to keep every absence shorter than the time it takes your dog to get upset, then grow it slowly. With a live view you can:
- End the absence before stress starts, not after.
- Spot the early, quiet signs, like standing frozen at the door, that are easy to miss in person.
- Track your dog's calm time week by week.
Our guide on how long a dog with separation anxiety can be left alone explains how to use these times to set the pace, and our calm-exit plan covers the leaving routine.
Should you show the footage to a professional?
Short clips are very helpful for your vet or a behavior consultant, because they show what you cannot easily describe. If you see self-injury, heavy drooling, or panic within seconds of leaving, talk to your vet soon.
What else do owners ask?
Do I need an expensive camera?
No. Any camera with live view and sound works. A spare phone on a video call is fine for practice sessions.
How long should I watch?
For the first check, 30 to 60 minutes. During training, only as long as each practice absence.
My dog is calm on camera but the house is a mess. Why?
Watch longer clips. Some dogs settle at first and get restless later, and some chew from boredom while relaxed, which needs a different plan.