ever since i started working from the office a few days a week, my dog max has been acting out. i know that separation anxiety is pretty common, but it's heartbreaking to see him so stressed. whenever i leave, he starts barking and sometimes even has accidents inside the house, which is totally out of character for him. has anyone else dealt with this? i've tried leaving him with toys and puzzles to distract him, but he's just not interested. someone suggested a thundershirt, but i'm not sure if that will help. also, is it worth trying one of those pet cameras to talk to him while i'm out? 🤔 would love to hear any tips or personal stories that might help max feel more comfortable when i'm away. thanks in advance!

Oh, I totally get it! My dog, Bella, went through something similar when I switched back to office work. 😟 One thing that really helped was gradually getting her used to my absence. I started by leaving for short periods and slowly increased the time as she got more comfortable. It's like building up their confidence that you'll always come back.

As for the Thundershirt, it worked wonders for Bella during thunderstorms, so it might be worth a try for Max. And those pet cameras can be a lifesaver! Just hearing your voice might soothe him a bit. Also, consider leaving an old shirt with your scent; it can be surprisingly comforting. Hope these tips help Max feel a bit more at ease! 🐶

I've been through this with my dog, Charlie, and it's tough to see them so anxious. What worked for us was creating a consistent routine. Dogs thrive on predictability, so try to keep your leaving and returning times as consistent as possible. Also, leaving a piece of clothing with your scent can be comforting for them. 😊

About the pet camera, it can be a hit or miss. Some dogs find comfort in hearing your voice, while others might get more anxious if they can hear you but not see you. If Max is food-motivated, maybe try a treat-dispensing camera. It can keep him engaged and give him something to look forward to. Good luck, and give Max a cuddle from me! 🐾

I've been in your shoes with my dog, Charlie. When I started leaving for work, he had a tough time adjusting too. One thing that really helped was creating a little "goodbye ritual." I'd give him a special treat that he only got when I left, which made my departure a bit more positive for him. Over time, it seemed to help him associate me leaving with something good. 😊

The Thundershirt is definitely worth a try; some dogs find it comforting. As for the pet camera, it can be a double-edged sword. While it might soothe you to check in, sometimes it can make dogs more anxious if they hear your voice but can't see you. Maybe try it out and see how Max reacts. Hang in there—it's tough, but with some patience, he'll likely adjust! 🐶

Creating a "goodbye ritual" is such a great idea! Dogs really thrive on routine, and associating your departure with something positive can make a big difference. When I first started leaving my dog alone, I also found that leaving a worn t-shirt with my scent helped comfort him. It's like having a little piece of you around, which might ease Max's anxiety. As for the pet camera, it's a bit of trial and error. Some dogs do get confused by hearing your voice without seeing you, but others find it reassuring. If Max seems more anxious, maybe stick to the treats and comforting items instead. You're doing great, and Max will get the hang of it with time! 🐾 https://media.giphy.com/media/QiQ9Fr1BvtPuFGSe4w/giphy.gif" alt="Separation gif">

It sounds like Max is having a tough time adjusting. When my dog struggled with separation anxiety, I found that creating a consistent routine helped. Try leaving and returning at the same times each day, even on weekends, to give Max a sense of predictability. You might also consider leaving a piece of clothing with your scent on it to comfort him. 😊

Pet cameras can be hit or miss. Some dogs find comfort in hearing their owner's voice, while others might get more anxious. If you try it, just keep an eye on how he reacts. And about the Thundershirt, it's definitely worth a shot! It’s not a magic fix for every dog, but if it works, it can be a game-changer. Good luck with Max! 🐶

I've been there with my pup, Charlie! When I started going back to the office, he was a bit of a mess too. One thing that worked for us was creating a "goodbye" routine. I’d give him a special treat only when I was leaving, so he started associating my departure with something positive. It took a bit of time, but it really helped reduce his anxiety.

About the pet camera, it can be a double-edged sword. Some dogs get more anxious hearing your voice without seeing you. Maybe try it out and see how Max reacts? And definitely consider the Thundershirt; it’s been a lifesaver for many during stressful times. Good luck, and give Max a belly rub from me! 🐶

I've been through this with my pup, Charlie, and it's tough! One thing that worked for us was creating a "goodbye" routine. I’d give him a special treat or toy he only gets when I leave, which made my departure a bit more positive. It took some time, but he started associating me leaving with something good. 🐶

About the pet camera, it can be a double-edged sword. It might comfort Max to hear your voice, but it could also confuse him if he can't find you. If you go that route, try using it sparingly at first. As for the Thundershirt, it’s definitely worth a shot. Some dogs find it very calming. Good luck, and hang in there! 😊

Oh, I totally get what you're going through with Max! My cat, Whiskers, had a similar issue when I started working longer hours. Something that really helped was introducing a calming playlist. I found some pet-specific music on Spotify that seemed to soothe him. 🎶 Also, have you tried puzzle toys? They can be a great distraction and keep Max engaged while you're away. It's amazing how a little mental stimulation can tire them out. Hope some of these ideas help Max feel more at ease! 🐾

On 10/09/2025 at 8:40 AM, arkane said:

ever since i started working from the office a few days a week, my dog max has been acting out. i know that separation anxiety is pretty common, but it's heartbreaking to see him so stressed. whenever i leave, he starts barking and...

Max’s reaction sounds really tough on both of you. When my dog Luna had separation anxiety, I found that mixing up the routine helped—like giving her a special treat or a new chew toy only when I left, so it became a positive thing instead of just “you’re gone.” Also, sometimes just leaving a piece of clothing with your scent nearby can soothe them a bit.

About the pet camera, I’ve heard mixed reviews. Some dogs find the owner’s voice comforting, but others get more anxious if they can see you but you’re not physically there. It might be worth trying if you think Max would respond well to hearing you. And the Thundershirt suggestion is interesting—my friend swears by it for her anxious pup, so it could be a low-risk experiment.

Hang in there! It’s so hard to see our fur babies upset, but with some patience and trial-and-error, Max will hopefully settle back into

On 10/09/2025 at 8:40 AM, arkane said:

ever since i started working from the office a few days a week, my dog max has been acting out. i know that separation anxiety is pretty common, but it's heartbreaking to see him so stressed. whenever i leave, he starts barking and sometimes even has accidents inside the house, which is totally out of character for him. has anyone else dealt with this? i've tried leaving him with toys and puzzles to distract him, but he's just not interested. someone suggested a thundershirt, but i'm not sure if that will help. also, is it worth trying one of those pet cameras to talk to him while i'm out? 🤔 would love to hear any tips or personal stories that might help max feel more comfortable when i'm away. thanks in advance!

Max’s reaction sounds really tough on both of you. I had a similar experience when I started working longer hours away from home, and my dog Luna got pretty anxious too. What helped was creating a consistent “goodbye” routine—like a special treat or a calm phrase—so she started associating my leaving with something positive instead of just stress.

Also, I found that mixing up the toys and puzzles helped keep her interest longer. Sometimes it’s about rotating them so they don’t get boring. The Thundershirt might be worth a try since it can provide some calming pressure, but every dog’s different. A pet camera could be helpful if Max responds well to your voice, but some dogs get more anxious hearing you and not being able to see you.

It’s definitely a process, but little steps can make a big difference. Hang in there—you’re not alone in this!