Cavoodle Separation Anxiety: Signs, Prevention & Solutions

Your Cavoodle follows you from room to room. They whine when you grab your keys. And when you return home, the neighbours mention the barking that started the moment you left. Sound familiar?

Cavoodles are known for their loving, loyal nature – but that same devotion can become separation anxiety if not managed properly. The good news? With the right approach, most Cavoodles learn to stay calm and confident when home alone.

At WoofSpark, we’ve groomed over 3,000 doodles and heard countless stories from owners dealing with this challenge. This guide covers everything you need to know about Cavoodle separation anxiety – from early warning signs to proven prevention strategies.

Why Cavoodles Are Prone to Separation Anxiety

Cavoodles inherit traits from both parent breeds that make them particularly attached to their humans:

From the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Originally bred as companion dogs for royalty, Cavaliers were selected specifically to stay close to their owners. They’re often called “velcro dogs” for good reason – they were literally bred to be by your side.

From the Poodle: Poodles are highly intelligent and form strong bonds with their families. This intelligence means they’re acutely aware when something changes in their routine – including when you leave.

Combine these traits and you get a dog that’s exceptionally people-focused. While this makes Cavoodles wonderful companions, it also means they need help learning to cope with alone time.

Signs of Separation Anxiety in Cavoodles

Not sure if your Cavoodle has separation anxiety or is just a bit clingy? Here are the key signs to watch for:

Behaviours That Happen When You’re Away

• Excessive barking or howling – Often starting within minutes of you leaving and continuing for extended periods
• Destructive behaviour – Chewing door frames, scratching at exits, destroying furniture (especially near doors and windows)
• Toileting accidents – Even in house-trained dogs, anxiety can cause accidents
• Escape attempts – Trying to dig under fences, squeeze through gaps, or break out of crates
• Pacing – Walking the same path repeatedly (you might see wear patterns)

Behaviours Before You Leave

• Following you constantly – Room to room, never letting you out of sight
• Anxiety when you pick up keys or bag – Whining, panting, pacing when they see departure cues
• Refusing to eat – Won’t take treats or eat breakfast when they sense you’re leaving
• Trembling or excessive drooling – Physical signs of stress

Behaviours When You Return

• Extremely frantic greetings – Beyond normal excitement, more like desperate relief
• Taking a long time to calm down – 15-20+ minutes of intense excitement
• Not wanting to let you out of sight afterward – Increased clinginess after reunion

Important distinction: Mild clinginess or preferring your company isn’t the same as separation anxiety. True separation anxiety causes genuine distress and often results in destructive or self-harming behaviour. If you’re unsure, set up a camera to record your Cavoodle while you’re away – the footage will tell you a lot.

Can Cavoodles Be Left Alone?

Yes, Cavoodles can absolutely learn to be left alone – but they need proper training to get there. Here’s what to expect at different ages:

Age	Maximum Alone Time	Notes
8-10 weeks	1 hour	Bladder control limited, frequent attention needed
10-12 weeks	2 hours	Still building confidence and bladder control
3-6 months	3-4 hours	Can start gradual alone time training
6-12 months	4-6 hours	Building independence, still young
Adult (1+ years)	6-8 hours	With proper training and enrichment

Key point: These are maximum times, not targets. Just because your adult Cavoodle can be left for 8 hours doesn’t mean they should be regularly. Cavoodles thrive on companionship – if you work full-time, consider doggy daycare, a dog walker, or working from home arrangements.

Preventing Separation Anxiety: Start Early

Prevention is far easier than treatment. If you’re bringing home a Cavoodle puppy, these strategies will help build their confidence from day one.

1. Practice Alone Time From the Start

Many new puppy owners make the mistake of spending every moment with their new Cavoodle – then wonder why the puppy panics when they finally have to leave.

What to do:

• From day one, practice short separations around the house
• Step into another room for 30 seconds, then return calmly
• Gradually increase duration – 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes
• Keep departures and arrivals low-key (no dramatic goodbyes)
• Don’t wait until you have to leave – practice before real absences begin

2. Create Positive Associations With Being Alone

Your Cavoodle should learn that alone time means good things happen.

What to do:

• Give a special treat or toy ONLY when you leave (a Kong stuffed with peanut butter works well)
• Create a comfortable space – their crate or bed with a familiar blanket
• Leave an item with your scent (worn t-shirt) for comfort
• Use calming music or leave the TV on for background noise

3. Desensitise Departure Cues

Cavoodles quickly learn that keys jangling + shoes going on = owner leaving. This can trigger anxiety before you’ve even gone.

What to do:

• Pick up your keys randomly throughout the day, then put them down again
• Put on your shoes but don’t leave – sit on the couch
• Open and close the front door without going through it
• Break the predictable pattern so these cues lose their scary association

4. Build Independence Generally

A confident, independent Cavoodle is less likely to panic when alone.

What to do:

• Encourage solo play with puzzle toys and chews
• Don’t always respond immediately when they seek attention
• Reward calm, relaxed behaviour when they’re not right next to you
• Teach a “place” or “bed” command where they settle away from you
• Socialise with other dogs and people so you’re not their only source of comfort

Treating Existing Separation Anxiety

If your Cavoodle already shows signs of separation anxiety, don’t despair. With patience and consistency, most dogs improve significantly. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

Step 1: Rule Out Medical Issues

Before assuming it’s behavioural, see your vet. Some signs of separation anxiety (toileting accidents, excessive vocalisation) can also indicate medical problems. A health check ensures you’re treating the right issue.

Step 2: Start With Very Short Absences

The key to treating separation anxiety is graduating slowly. You need to work at a level where your Cavoodle remains calm.

Week 1-2:

• Practice going to another room for 10-30 seconds
• Return before they show distress
• Repeat 5-10 times per day
• Keep greetings calm – no big fuss when you return

Week 3-4:

• Extend to 1-2 minutes behind a closed door
• Start stepping outside briefly (30 seconds to 1 minute)
• Always return before panic sets in

Week 5+:

• Gradually increase outdoor absences (5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes)
• Vary the duration so they don’t learn to predict when you’ll return
• If you see regression, go back a step and progress more slowly

Step 3: Create a Safe Space

Your Cavoodle needs a comfortable, secure area where they feel safe when alone.

Options include:

• Crate: If properly crate trained, a crate provides security (never use it as punishment)
• Playpen: Gives more space while containing them to a safe area
• Single room: A laundry or small room with their bed and water
• Baby gates: Allow them access to a few rooms while blocking off areas where they might get into trouble

Make the space inviting:

• Comfortable bedding
• Fresh water
• Safe toys and chews
• Item with your scent
• Calming pheromone diffuser (Adaptil works well for many dogs)

Step 4: Manage While Training

Desensitisation takes time. While you’re working on the issue, avoid leaving your Cavoodle alone for longer than they can handle. Each panic episode can set back your progress.

Management options:

• Take them to work if possible
• Arrange for a friend or family member to visit
• Hire a dog walker for midday check-ins
• Use doggy daycare on days you can’t be home
• Ask a neighbour to dog-sit

Step 5: Consider Professional Help

For severe cases, professional help makes a significant difference:

• Certified dog behaviourist: Can create a customised training plan
• Veterinary behaviourist: May recommend medication alongside behaviour modification
• Positive reinforcement trainer: Can help with foundational skills like crate training and “place” commands

Note on medication: For severe separation anxiety, anti-anxiety medication prescribed by a vet can help dogs stay calm enough to learn. This isn’t about sedating your dog – it’s about reducing their panic response so training can actually work. Medication is typically used alongside behaviour modification, not instead of it.

What NOT to Do

Some common approaches can actually make separation anxiety worse:

Don’t Punish Anxious Behaviour

If you come home to destruction or accidents, don’t punish your Cavoodle. They’re not being “naughty” – they’re panicking. Punishment increases anxiety and can make the problem worse.

Don’t Make Departures Dramatic

“Mummy’s going now, be a good boy, I love you so much, I’ll be back soon, don’t worry…” Sound familiar? Long, emotional goodbyes signal to your dog that something significant is happening. Keep departures matter-of-fact.

Don’t Get Another Dog as a Solution

A second dog rarely fixes separation anxiety because the anxiety is about being separated from YOU specifically, not about being alone. You might end up with two anxious dogs.

Don’t Crate a Panicking Dog

If your Cavoodle panics in a crate, forcing them to stay crated can lead to injury as they try to escape. A crate should be a safe space, not a prison. If they’re not crate-trained, work on that separately before using it for alone time.

Don’t Rush the Process

Separation anxiety treatment is slow. Pushing too fast – leaving for 30 minutes when your dog can only handle 5 – causes setbacks. Progress measured in minutes per week is normal and expected.

Products That Can Help

While no product replaces proper training, these tools can support your efforts:

Comfort Items

• Snuggle puppy: A plush toy with a heartbeat simulator – particularly good for puppies missing their littermates
• Your scent: A worn t-shirt or blanket that smells like you
• Calming bed: Donut-style beds can help anxious dogs feel secure

Calming Aids

• Adaptil diffuser or collar: Releases calming pheromones (works for many but not all dogs)
• Calming treats: Contain ingredients like chamomile, L-theanine, or hemp
• Thundershirt: Applies gentle pressure that can reduce anxiety

Mental Stimulation

• Kong or similar: Stuffed with treats, keeps them busy and creates positive associations with alone time
• Puzzle feeders: Mental work is tiring – a tired dog is a calmer dog
• Lick mats: Licking is naturally calming for dogs

Background Noise

• TV or radio: Provides familiar background noise and human voices
• Calming music: “Through a Dog’s Ear” and similar playlists are designed for dogs
• White noise machine: Masks outside sounds that might trigger barking

Monitoring

• Pet camera: Lets you see how they’re coping and when distress begins
• Two-way audio: Some owners find talking to their dog helps; others find it makes things worse

Setting Your Cavoodle Up for Success

Beyond specific anxiety training, these general practices help build a calm, confident Cavoodle:

Exercise Before You Leave

A tired dog is a calmer dog. Before leaving your Cavoodle alone:

• Take them for a walk or play session
• Allow 20-30 minutes to settle afterward before leaving
• Don’t leave immediately after exercise when they’re still wound up

Establish a Calm Routine

Dogs find comfort in predictability. A consistent pre-departure routine helps them know what to expect:

• Morning walk
• Breakfast
• Settle time (15-20 minutes)
• Kong or enrichment toy
• Calm departure

Maintain Training Long-Term

Once your Cavoodle is comfortable being alone, don’t stop practicing. Continue to:

• Vary absence durations so they don’t become pattern-dependent
• Occasionally leave special treats when you go out
• Keep departures and arrivals low-key
• Watch for regression during life changes (moving house, new baby, etc.)

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age do Cavoodles develop separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety can develop at any age but often appears in puppyhood (if not properly trained for alone time), adolescence (6-18 months), or after a significant change like a move, new owner schedule, or loss of a family member. Some rescue Cavoodles come with existing separation anxiety from their previous experiences.

How long does it take to cure separation anxiety?

There’s no quick fix. Mild cases may improve within 4-8 weeks of consistent training. Moderate cases often take 3-6 months. Severe cases can take 6-12 months or longer, and some dogs need ongoing management throughout their lives. The key is gradual progress – don’t rush it.

Is separation anxiety more common in certain Cavoodle colours or sizes?

No, separation anxiety is behavioural and linked to temperament, early experiences, and training – not colour or size. However, individual Cavoodles from anxious parent dogs may be more predisposed, which is why choosing a reputable breeder who selects for stable temperament matters.

Should I get a second dog to help with my Cavoodle’s separation anxiety?

Generally, no. Separation anxiety is specifically about being separated from the owner, not about being alone. A second dog doesn’t replace you. However, if your Cavoodle is simply bored rather than anxious, a companion can help. Know the difference: boredom causes destruction out of under-stimulation; anxiety causes destruction from panic.

My Cavoodle only has separation anxiety when I leave but is fine when my partner leaves. Why?

This is common. Cavoodles often bond more strongly with one person. The dog may see that person as their primary attachment figure. It can help to have the less-preferred person take over more feeding, walking, and training duties to distribute the bond more evenly.

Does crate training help or hurt separation anxiety?

It depends. A properly crate-trained Cavoodle who sees their crate as a safe den may actually feel more secure in it. But if a dog is forced into a crate while anxious, they can injure themselves trying to escape. Crate training and separation anxiety training are separate skills – don’t try to do both at once. Get your Cavoodle comfortable in the crate first, then separately work on alone time.

When to Seek Professional Help

Consider consulting a professional if:

• Your Cavoodle injures themselves trying to escape
• They refuse to eat for extended periods when you’re away
• Neighbours complain about constant barking
• Destructive behaviour is severe or dangerous
• You’ve been working on training for 8+ weeks with no improvement
• You’re feeling overwhelmed or burnt out from managing the issue

A certified animal behaviourist or veterinary behaviourist can assess your specific situation and create a customised treatment plan. In severe cases, medication combined with behaviour modification is often the most effective approach.

The Bottom Line

Cavoodles are companion dogs to their core – they genuinely want to be with you. While this makes them wonderful family pets, it also means they need help learning that being alone is okay.

If you’re bringing home a new Cavoodle puppy, start alone-time training from day one. Prevention is so much easier than treatment.

If your Cavoodle already struggles with separation anxiety, know that improvement is absolutely possible. It takes patience, consistency, and often professional guidance – but most dogs can learn to be calm and comfortable when their favourite humans aren’t home.

Your Cavoodle’s wellbeing matters. With the right approach, you can have a happy, confident companion who greets you enthusiastically when you return – because they’re excited to see you, not because they’ve spent hours in distress.

Related Resources

For more Cavoodle guidance, explore our Cavoodle Learning Centre, including our First Week with Your Cavoodle Puppy guide (which covers early alone-time training) and our Crate Training Guide.

Preparing for a new Cavoodle? Check out our Complete Preparation Guide and our Grooming Guide to set yourself up for success.