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Vets Warn Dogs’ Wild Homecomings Can Signal Separation Anxiety

Calmer comings and goings reduce canine anxiety.

Overview

  • Veterinary outlets, which published Sunday and Monday, say over-the-top greetings often reflect stress from time spent alone rather than simple joy.
  • Experts describe signs that cluster with the excited welcome, including nonstop barking, nervous pacing, destruction, trembling, loss of appetite, and accidents from excitement.
  • Repeated spikes in arousal can strain the heart, posing added risk for older dogs or pets with cardiac problems, according to veterinarians.
  • Long, emotional goodbyes and exuberant returns teach dogs to see departures as threats, which builds anticipation and heightens the rebound frenzy.
  • Specialists recommend brief exits, low-key returns, steady routines, and daily mental and physical enrichment, with many dogs improving over weeks when owners stay consistent.