Separation anxiety in dogs is one of the most difficult behaviour issues to deal with. It’s a very important problem to solve, because separation anxiety is one of the main reasons why dogs end up in shelters. Separation anxiety has many causes. It is believed that an early history of abandonment and/or genetics can contribute to the problem. Separation anxiety can quickly develop into a deeply rooted problem which is difficult to change. Before treatment can be started, it’s important to make sure your dog is suffering from anxiety rather than boredom. Successful separation anxiety modification relies on people being present at all times during the training process. Dogs are pack animals and have a need to form social attachments. While any dog may suffer from a little separation distress at times, some dogs become very anxious when left alone. Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety can be even destructive when left alone. Anxious dogs like to chew things because it releases pleasurable endorphins into the body, making them feel calm.