Leaving your dog alone
Will getting a second dog fix my dog's separation anxiety?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Usually not, since most separation anxiety centers on attachment to a specific person rather than a general need for company, so a second dog often does not resolve the underlying issue and can sometimes create a new set of challenges, including two dogs to manage during training and potential resource guarding.
Why the logic does not hold up in practice
If a dog's distress is about missing you specifically, another dog in the room does not address that trigger any more than a stranger would, and many dogs with genuine separation anxiety show identical distress signs whether alone or with a canine companion present.
When a second dog occasionally does help
A dog whose distress is more about general isolation than a specific person, sometimes closer to isolation distress than true separation anxiety, may genuinely benefit from a compatible companion, though this is more the exception than the reliable rule.
The risk of adding a dog for the wrong reason
Bringing in a second dog specifically to solve a behavior problem, rather than because the household genuinely wants and can support two dogs, often leads to disappointment when the original issue persists, plus the added responsibility of a second animal that may develop its own needs.
What to try instead before considering a second dog
A structured desensitization plan, ideally with guidance from a qualified behaviorist, addresses the actual root cause far more directly than hoping a companion will help, and it avoids the risk of taking on a second dog's lifetime of care needs based on an assumption that later turns out to be wrong. If genuine separation anxiety is confirmed and treated first, a second dog can then be considered later on its own merits, without the pressure of expecting it to fix anything. This sequencing also means any future second dog is introduced to a calmer, more settled resident dog rather than one still working through significant distress.
Key takeaways
- A second dog rarely fixes separation anxiety tied to a specific attached person.
- Dogs with true isolation distress, rather than attachment specific anxiety, may occasionally benefit more.
- Adding a dog purely to solve a behavior problem often leads to disappointment plus new responsibilities.