Separation anxiety is genuine distress about being left — not naughtiness, and not always boredom. The guidance from RSPCA Australia, Dogs Trust and Cornell's veterinary college lines up: rule out health causes with your vet, then work gradually and kindly on how your Oodle feels about being alone, ideally with a qualified behaviour professional. Toys and food puzzles can play a small part in mild cases. They can't treat it.
You come home to a chewed door frame, a note about barking from next door, or an Oodle who has clearly been waiting at the door for hours. It's tempting to file all of it under "naughty" or "bored" — and just as easy to fear the worst. The useful middle ground is working out what's actually going on, and getting the right kind of help early.
Key Takeaways
- Separation anxiety, boredom and other problems can look alike. Cornell's Dr. Katherine Houpt says "anxiety" is often used as a blanket description for anything an owner doesn't like — so working out what's really happening comes first.
- A simple clue from Dogs Trust: an Oodle who won't eat or play with toys when alone, but does when you're with them, is likely to be anxious.
- See your vet first, because a change in behaviour can have a health cause. Ask whether a referral to a behaviour specialist makes sense.
- The best-supported approach is gradual desensitisation and counterconditioning. A 2014 peer-reviewed review described it as possibly the most successful treatment, sometimes supplemented with medication.
- Don't punish, and don't assume a crate is the answer — Dogs Trust warns that crating an anxious Oodle can backfire.
- RSPCA Australia says food toys usually only help in mild cases, because highly anxious Oodles often won't eat when their owners aren't home.
Anxious, bored or something else? Why the label matters
Barking, chewing doors, toileting inside, pacing — these are the classic signs owners describe, and Dogs Trust adds trembling, panting, drooling and a lack of interest in food or chews left behind. The trouble is that many of them also show up in Oodles who are simply under-occupied, or who are struggling with something else entirely.
That's not a small distinction. Cornell's Dr. Katherine Houpt, James Law Professor Emeritus of Behavior Medicine, puts it bluntly: "In my experience, anxiety is used as a blanket description for anything that the dog does that the owner doesn't like." She says she almost never diagnoses anxiety by itself — there is usually something else behind it. (Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine)
The research backs up the idea that "separation problems" aren't one single thing. A 2020 peer-reviewed study surveyed owners of more than 2,700 dogs showing at least one separation-related sign, and its analysis of a subset of them grouped the dogs into four broad patterns — one of which the researchers labelled "boredom". (de Assis et al., Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2020) It's an owner survey, so it maps patterns rather than proving causes — but it's a good reason not to assume.
So how do you tell? Dogs Trust offers one practical clue: "If your dog doesn't eat food or play with toys when alone, but does when you're with them, they're likely to be anxious." (Dogs Trust) Their other tip is simple and worth doing: film your Oodle while you're out — a phone propped up or a remote camera — so you can see what really happens, and so your vet has something concrete to look at.
It's also worth checking the set-up. Dogs Trust notes that an Oodle shut in a crate, single room or small area may be struggling with the lack of choice rather than with being alone.
Start with your vet (and possibly a specialist)
Dogs Trust suggests seeking veterinary advice if you're worried your Oodle shows signs of separation anxiety, if their behaviour has recently changed, if they've become more fearful generally, or if they're seeking comfort more often — pain or feeling unwell can be behind it, even without other signs. A vet visit could rule out medical causes, and they suggest bringing along any videos or notes. RSPCA Australia's advice is the same starting point: "Owners should consult with their veterinarian for advice." The vet can help directly, or refer you on to a behavioural specialist who uses humane, reward-based training. (RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase)
For more severe cases, RSPCA Australia notes that vets may suggest medication alongside behaviour modification, and says owners should discuss that directly with their vet. Cornell is equally clear on where not to start: rather than picking up an over-the-counter supplement or another remedy from the internet, book a vet visit.
What the evidence supports: gradual, reward-based work
A peer-reviewed review of the treatment literature concluded that the most successful treatment for separation-related problems may be behaviour modification built on systematic desensitisation and counterconditioning, which can be supplemented with medication in the early stages. It also listed avoiding punishment among the protective factors, while noting the research on risk factors is mixed. (Sargisson, Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports, 2014)
In plain language, that means teaching your Oodle, in steps small enough that they stay relaxed, that being alone is safe. The two big ideas:
- Take the sting out of the "leaving" signals. RSPCA Australia describes the goal as disconnecting the pre-departure cues — picking up keys, putting on shoes — from the actual departure.
- Build absence time slowly. Cornell describes the starting point: "Start by first just walking out of the room and immediately coming back; then gradually increase the amount of time that you are out of sight." And they add: don't expect a quick fix.
Until the work has had time to take effect, Dogs Trust suggests avoiding leaving your Oodle alone for longer than they can cope with, and leaning on friends, family, dog sitters or daycare where you can. We know that's hard to organise — but it's the honest answer.
How you train matters as much as what you train. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior's position is that "only reward-based training methods are used for all dog training, including the treatment of behavior problems." (AVSAB) Cornell adds a practical warning: avoid trainers who use harsh, punitive methods, and be wary of anyone promising a quick fix.
The pace has to be tailored to your Oodle's reactions, which can be hard to read on your own. That's exactly where a qualified professional earns their fee.
Common advice that deserves a second look
- "Just crate them." Dogs Trust: "Crate training alone won't stop your dog worrying about being left. In fact, there's a risk that leaving a dog with separation anxiety inside a crate while you go out could make them afraid of the crate." They also flag a serious risk of injury if an Oodle panics in a crate. (Dogs Trust)
- "They know they've been bad." That guilty look when you get home is a common misunderstanding of your Oodle's body language. Dogs Trust is unambiguous: "you should never punish your dog."
- "Just tire them out." A good daily routine, including exercise, is part of looking after any Oodle, and RSPCA Australia includes it in its management tips. But exercise alone doesn't change how your Oodle feels about being left. Dogs Trust: "The only way to stop separation anxiety is to change how your dog feels about being left."
- "There's a product for that." Supplements and gadgets are worth discussing with your vet, not swapping in for a behaviour plan.
Where toys and food puzzles fit — and where they don't
We make Oodle toys, so let's be straight about this. Toys don't treat separation anxiety, and we'd be doing you a disservice if we implied they did.
Here's what the authorities actually say. RSPCA Australia describes one counterconditioning approach: give your Oodle a food-stuffed toy only when you leave, then take it away when you return, so being alone predicts something good. Then comes the caveat that matters most: "this approach usually only helps in mild cases of anxiety because highly anxious dogs often won't eat when their owners aren't home." (RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase)
Put that next to the Dogs Trust clue from earlier and the practical takeaway is clear: if your Oodle walks past the toy or the treats the moment you leave, that's not a toy problem. It's information — and a good reason to book that vet visit rather than trying another toy.
If your Oodle is comfortable alone and you simply want a steadier daily shape — a chew at midday, play when you're back, a wind-down in the evening — predictability does a lot of the work. We wrote about that in Enrichment Isn't Just Toys: Why Predictability and Scheduling Matter Too.
And if your vet or behaviourist does include a food toy in your Oodle's plan:
- Check every spread for xylitol. The FDA warns that it's found in some peanut and nut butters and can be dangerous to Oodles. (FDA)
- Choose a size and style that suits your Oodle's mouth and chewing habits, watch the first few sessions, and inspect toys regularly — replacing any that are damaged.
- Rope toys, including Tug & Tumble, are for supervised play together and are put away afterwards. They aren't a toy to leave with an Oodle who's alone.
Are Oodles more prone to it?
You'll often hear that Poodle crosses are "velcro dogs" and therefore likely to struggle alone. The evidence for a doodle-specific problem is thin. One owner-survey study of more than 5,000 dogs compared Goldendoodles and Labradoodles with their parent breeds across fourteen behavioural traits, including separation-related problems. The differences it reported were in other traits, such as dog rivalry and fear of other dogs or strangers. (Shouldice et al., Animals, 2019) That's one study, of two doodle types, based on owner reports — it can't tell you about your Oodle.
What's worth remembering is Dogs Trust's simple reassurance: it's normal for Oodles to want to be with us, because they're social animals. An Oodle who follows you from room to room isn't automatically anxious. The question is what happens when they can't.
Puppies and new Oodles: building the skill early
The research on prevention is mixed, so treat this as a sensible starting point rather than a guarantee. The 2014 review above listed a wide range of experiences outside the home and with other people between five and ten months, stable household routines, and short, regular absences, and avoiding punishment as protective factors. And in one small UK study of six-month-old puppies, 68 of 145 (about 47%) met the researchers' definition of showing separation-related behaviours, based on owner reports. It was an exploratory study and not a prevalence figure — but it's a reminder that early signs are common, and worth responding to gently. (Dale et al., Animal Welfare, 2024)
Finding the right help in Australia
- Your regular vet. Rule out health causes and talk through what you've seen (bring that video).
- A veterinary behaviourist, if recommended. The Veterinary Behaviour Chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists recognises vets with further study and examination in animal behaviour, and lists behaviour vets on its website. (ANZCVS Veterinary Behaviour Chapter)
- A reward-based trainer, if that's part of the plan. Ask what methods they use, and walk away from harsh or quick-fix promises.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if my Oodle is anxious or just bored?
You often can't tell from the mess alone. A useful clue from Dogs Trust is whether your Oodle eats or plays when you're out. If they only do so when you're there, anxiety is likely. Film them while you're out and take the footage to your vet.
Can a toy fix separation anxiety?
No. RSPCA Australia says food toys usually only help in mild cases, because highly anxious Oodles often won't eat when their owners aren't home. Separation anxiety is treated with gradual behaviour work, sometimes alongside medication, guided by your vet or a behaviour professional.
Should I crate my Oodle if they're destructive when I'm out?
Not as a fix for anxiety. Dogs Trust warns that crating an Oodle with separation anxiety while you're out can make them afraid of the crate and carries a risk of injury if they panic. A behaviour professional can advise whether any safe space suits your Oodle.
Is medication ever used?
For some Oodles, yes. RSPCA Australia, Cornell and a peer-reviewed review all mention medication alongside behaviour modification. It's a decision for your vet — not something to start from a shelf or a website.
Where do I start?
Book a vet visit, film your Oodle while you're out, and ask whether a referral to a veterinary behaviourist makes sense.
This article is general education, not veterinary advice. If your Oodle is distressed when left alone, or is hurting themselves, please speak to your vet.
Building a steadier routine for an Oodle who's settled alone? If you'd like help matching toys to your Oodle's size and play style, browse our Play Packs →
Related reading: Enrichment Isn't Just Toys: Why Predictability and Scheduling Matter Too → · 10 Puppy Training Mistakes Oodle Owners Can Avoid From Day One →
