My 3-year-old lab has started destroying stuff when I leave for work, even just for an hour. She'll trash the couch, scratch at doors, and my neighbor says she barks constantly the whole time I'm gone. Is this separation anxiety or just bad behavior, and what can I actually do about it?
Start by ruling out boredom or lack of exercise - a 3-year-old lab needs serious daily activity, so make sure she's getting a solid walk or run before you leave, not just a quick bathroom break. That said, what you're describing (destructiveness + constant barking + it happening even for short absences) does sound like separation anxiety rather than just restlessness. The key difference is that anxious dogs often target exits or scratch at doors/windows, and they go into a panic pretty quickly after you leave, which matches what your neighbor's hearing. Beyond exercise, you could try leaving calming music or a Kong stuffed with treats to redirect her, but if it keeps happening, working with a trainer who specializes in anxiety might be worth it - sometimes desensitization (leaving for tiny increments and building up) combined with something like a anxiety wrap can actually help, though obviously that depends on how severe it is for her.
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