Do Maltipoos Get Separation Anxiety?

Do Maltipoos get separation anxiety? Yes, they can. Many of these little shadows bond hard with their people, so time apart can feel like a surprise plot twist to your dog’s day.

Key takeaways

• Some dogs are more prone to distress because they were bred to be close to humans.

• The first sign is often noise, pacing, or mess, usually soon after you leave.

• The fix is not punishment. It’s gentle training and better routines.

• Rule out pain or tummy troubles first, then work on behaviour.

• For tougher situations, a qualified professional can speed things up.

The “clingy” factor (and why it’s not your fault)

A Maltipoo is typically a mix of a Maltese and a toy Poodle, and both parent breeds are known for loving human company. That’s lovely… until you need to pop out for milk.

In plain English, these dogs can act like velcro dogs. If you stand up, they stand up. If you go upstairs, they are suddenly an upstairs dog too.

Tip: If you’re still getting to know the breed’s general traits, this Maltipoo breed guide can help you spot what’s normal “cute attachment” versus a real problem.

When “being close” turns into a problem

There’s normal affection, and then there’s separation distress.

You’ll often see it when your dog starts to understand that they are about to be left alone. This can be more frequent, especially after a routine change (new job, new home, new baby, school holidays ending, that sort of thing).

Some Maltipoo owners notice it starts after a period of constant company, like working from home, then suddenly going out again.

A Maltipoo may cope fine with short absences, but struggle with longer ones or unpredictable patterns.

Sickness, urination, and shaking can be signs that it is starting to become a problem. But with love and care, we can make things a little easier.

A lot of people only notice once a neighbour mentions the howls and barks. But the signs can be quieter or weirder than you’d expect. Your dog might:

• Howl or whine soon after you go

• Scratch doors, pace, or drool

• Have potty accidents despite being housetrained

• Show destructive behavior like chewing skirting boards or ripping cushions
  

If you suspect Maltipoo separation anxiety, recording a short video when you leave can be eye-opening (and mildly heartbreaking). Or a webcam can be your eyes and ears if you're worried about leaving them.

Here’s a quick guide:

For a broader explainer of what’s going on and why it happens, read this guide about dogs struggling when left alone.

When it might be something else

Before you label your dog a dog with separation anxiety, it’s smart to rule out medical issues.

Pain, gut upset, urinary problems, or age-related changes can all affect behaviour. This matters even more with an old Maltipoo, because discomfort can make being alone feel worse.

A veterinarian can help you separate behaviour from health, and your clinic may be able to start a health and behaviour plan.

Step 1: Set up the space so your dog can succeed

Your goal is calm, boring, safe. Think “cosy studio flat” rather than “party house”.

Some dogs settle best with a crate, but only if it’s introduced kindly. Others do better with a playpen or a puppy-proofed room.

If you decide to use a crate, build it up slowly. Never use it as punishment. You’re aiming for providing a safe base your dog chooses.

Practical tools that often help:

• Chew toys that last

• Puzzle toys that are easy enough your dog won’t rage-quit

• A familiar blanket that smells like home (yes, a bit furry)

Step 2: Teach “alone time” like a skill

This is where managing separation anxiety becomes a training plan, not a guessing game.

A good start is one calm training session a day where you practise tiny separations your dog can handle. Think seconds, not hours.

Reward calm behaviour with positive reinforcement. The secret is timing. You’re rewarding the “I’m okay” moment, not the meltdown.

Also make sure your dog’s socialisation continues. Confident dogs cope better with change.

Step 3: Meet needs before you leave (so your dog can switch off)

Most dogs settle better when their dog needs are sorted first. That means:

• Toilet break

• Water

• Comfort

• Something to do

• Enough activity that their needs are met

A long walk can help, but it doesn’t need to be a marathon. The aim is the right mix of sniffing, moving, and calm routine.

Too little activity can leave pent-up energy, but too much can create a super-fit dog who expects constant entertainment. It’s a balance of enough exercise and calm downtime.

Adding environmental enrichment (sniff games, scatter feeding, safe chews) can lower stress. Pair that with environmental management (close curtains if they react to outside movement, reduce loud noises, keep exits low-drama).

Tip: Want more ideas for day-to-day wellbeing? This guide on how to make your dog happy is full of simple wins.

If your dog is very young

For a young pup, alone-time training must be extra gentle and very short. They’re still learning that the world is safe.

If your dog is an adult

A 1 year old or 5 year old dog can still develop distress after a change in routine, a house move, or a big shift in how often you’re around.

The good news is adult dogs can learn new patterns fast when the plan is consistent and fair.

Start with the right kind of help

If you’re stuck, it’s not a character flaw. It’s just a sign you need a clearer plan.

A good first step is your vet practice, then a referral. For more complex behaviour cases, an animal behaviorist or a vetted behaviour professional is often the quickest route.

Waggel members have access to free behavioural advice from the experts at Companion Animal Wellness. Log into your account today for more info.

In the United Kingdom, you can also look for practitioners on the ABTC practitioner register. That helps you find an expert who specialises in behaviour, not someone guessing on social media.

A professional trainer can also help with the training mechanics, especially if they work alongside your vet team and stay within modern, welfare-first methods.

The key is professional support that focuses on changing how your dog feels about being alone, not just “stopping the noise”.

In severe cases, vets may suggest medication to support training, not replace it.

One commonly discussed option is fluoxetine, but only your vet can decide if it’s suitable based on health history, other meds, and risk factors.

Another vet-used option for separation-related issues is clomipramine. Virbac has a professional overview of this approach on their UK site: Clomicalm.

If you want a deeper, evidence-based overview of behaviour treatment strategies (including desensitisation and counterconditioning), this review article is a solid read: Canine separation anxiety: strategies for treatment and management.

Do supplements like CBD help?

You’ll see plenty of products claiming calming effects, including CBD.

The honest answer is: evidence is mixed, products vary a lot, and it can interact with other medications. Always check with your vet before trying anything new, especially if your dog has other health conditions.

If you work outside the home

Your goal is to help your dog stay alone safely and comfortably, not to “toughen them up”.

If your dog is home alone because of work, plan support like a dog walker, sitter, neighbour check-in, or day care while you train.

This guide on leaving your dog home alone while you work has practical scheduling ideas that fit real routines.

Does getting a second dog fix it?

Sometimes people hope two dogs will solve the problem. It can be tempting as Maltipoos are cute, canine companions, but it’s not guaranteed to help. Some dogs still panic when their person is gone, even with a friend nearby.

If you do already have two dogs, watch whether the anxious one settles with the other, or whether they wind each other up like siblings on a road trip.

Behaviour support can take time, and vet checks can add up. If you’re looking at cover designed for this breed, you can explore Maltipoo pet insurance to see what’s included.