If your beloved fluffball howls the moment you step out of the house each the morning, or you come home to him amidst torn pillows, uprooted plants, or gnawed shoes, then you may have a puppy with major separation anxiety.

Dogs can exhibit behavioral problems when left alone at home, states this HumaneSociety.org article. “Digging and scratching at doors or windows, destructive chewing, howling, barking and whining, and urination or defecation (even with otherwise housetrained dogs)” are all listed as possible signs.

Pets who are used to being around people suffer from separation anxiety when they are left alone either for the first time or for extended periods of the day. Pups can start acting up when there’s a change in the household and they are having a hard time adapting to it (i.e., you just moved in, you lost a family member, etc.).

If your little fur buddy is having a hard time dealing with your absence, here are some things that you can do to help him cope (because, much as you might like to, you can't place yourself under house arrest just because your pooch misses you when you're gone).