Free separation anxiety graphics for rescues, trainers and writers
Ten free, sourced graphics on dog separation anxiety: the threshold test, calm vs worried, common signs, red flags, the training rules, puppies, rescue dogs and crates. Print, share or embed them with a credit link.
These graphics are free for anyone who helps dog owners: rescues and shelters for adoption packs, trainers and walkers for clients, vet practices for the waiting room, and writers who need a clear, sourced visual for an article.
Each one lists its sources at the bottom, the same studies and veterinary guidance our free guides cite. Print them, share them, put them in an email or embed them on your site.
The only condition: credit SureFoot Pets with a link to surefootpets.com. They are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0). The embed code under each graphic already includes the credit.
The graphics
The threshold test in 6 steps
How to time the first sign of worry when your dog is left alone. The number every good plan starts from.
<a href="https://www.surefootpets.com/tools/threshold-timer/">
<img src="https://www.surefootpets.com/assets/resources/dog-separation-anxiety-threshold-test-surefootpets.jpg"
alt="Infographic: find your dog’s number in 6 steps, the separation anxiety threshold test" width="1000" height="1500">
</a>
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.surefootpets.com/">SureFoot Pets</a> · CC BY 4.0</p>
Calm or worried? Reading your dog on camera
Side by side: what a settled dog looks like on video, and the early signs that worry has started.
<a href="https://www.surefootpets.com/learn/does-my-dog-have-separation-anxiety/">
<img src="https://www.surefootpets.com/assets/resources/dog-calm-or-worried-on-camera-surefootpets.jpg"
alt="Infographic: calm versus worried, what a dog left alone looks like on camera" width="1000" height="1500">
</a>
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.surefootpets.com/">SureFoot Pets</a> · CC BY 4.0</p>
Common signs of separation anxiety
The signs welfare organizations list, and the key question: does it happen only when your dog is alone?
<a href="https://www.surefootpets.com/learn/does-my-dog-have-separation-anxiety/">
<img src="https://www.surefootpets.com/assets/resources/common-signs-of-dog-separation-anxiety-surefootpets.jpg"
alt="Infographic: common signs of separation anxiety while you are away, from barking to ignoring food" width="1000" height="1500">
</a>
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.surefootpets.com/">SureFoot Pets</a> · CC BY 4.0</p>
Red flags: don’t start training alone
Injury, panic before you leave, vomiting, aggression or a sudden change in an older dog. These dogs need an expert from day one.
<a href="https://www.surefootpets.com/learn/who-to-call-for-dog-separation-anxiety/">
<img src="https://www.surefootpets.com/assets/resources/separation-anxiety-red-flags-see-a-vet-surefootpets.jpg"
alt="Infographic: red flags that mean a dog with separation anxiety should see a vet or behaviorist before home training" width="1000" height="1500">
</a>
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.surefootpets.com/">SureFoot Pets</a> · CC BY 4.0</p>
The five rules of the plan
Vet first, know your number, go slower than feels necessary, protect the progress, never punish.
<a href="https://www.surefootpets.com/learn/separation-anxiety-training-plan/">
<img src="https://www.surefootpets.com/assets/resources/separation-anxiety-training-five-rules-surefootpets.jpg"
alt="Infographic: the five rules of separation anxiety training, from vet first to never punish" width="1000" height="1500">
</a>
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.surefootpets.com/">SureFoot Pets</a> · CC BY 4.0</p>
Go up, stay, or step back?
A four-question check to run after each practice session, putting expert advice into a simple decision.
<a href="https://www.surefootpets.com/tools/next-step/">
<img src="https://www.surefootpets.com/assets/resources/separation-anxiety-go-up-stay-step-back-surefootpets.jpg"
alt="Infographic: after every separation anxiety training session, decide whether to stop, step back, stay or go up" width="1000" height="1500">
</a>
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.surefootpets.com/">SureFoot Pets</a> · CC BY 4.0</p>
How common is it? 9.3%, not 85.9%
A widely shared 85.9% figure came from methods that exaggerate. Re-analyzed properly: 9.3% moderate to severe. Still very common.
<a href="https://www.surefootpets.com/learn/separation-anxiety-myths/">
<img src="https://www.surefootpets.com/assets/resources/how-common-is-dog-separation-anxiety-9-3-percent-surefootpets.jpg"
alt="Infographic: 9.3% of US dogs show moderate to severe separation-related behavior, not the widely shared 85.9%" width="1000" height="1500">
</a>
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.surefootpets.com/">SureFoot Pets</a> · CC BY 4.0</p>
New rescue dog: the first weeks
Four things that help while a new dog settles. Made for adoption packs and adopter follow-up emails.
<a href="https://www.surefootpets.com/learn/rescue-dog-separation-anxiety/">
<img src="https://www.surefootpets.com/assets/resources/new-rescue-dog-first-weeks-separation-surefootpets.jpg"
alt="Infographic: four things that help a newly adopted rescue dog cope with being left alone in the first weeks" width="1000" height="1500">
</a>
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.surefootpets.com/">SureFoot Pets</a> · CC BY 4.0</p>
Teach a puppy that alone is safe
Start tiny, build gradually, keep it short and never punish. Puppyhood is the easiest time to teach it.
<a href="https://www.surefootpets.com/learn/puppy-separation-anxiety/">
<img src="https://www.surefootpets.com/assets/resources/teach-a-puppy-to-be-alone-surefootpets.jpg"
alt="Infographic: four steps to teach a puppy that being alone is safe" width="1000" height="1500">
</a>
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.surefootpets.com/">SureFoot Pets</a> · CC BY 4.0</p>
Is the crate right for your dog?
Heavy panting, frantic escape attempts or howling that keeps going mean a crate isn’t right for this dog.
<a href="https://www.surefootpets.com/learn/crate-training-dog-with-separation-anxiety/">
<img src="https://www.surefootpets.com/assets/resources/is-the-crate-right-for-your-dog-surefootpets.jpg"
alt="Infographic: crate check, three signs a crate is not right for a dog with separation anxiety" width="1000" height="1500">
</a>
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.surefootpets.com/">SureFoot Pets</a> · CC BY 4.0</p>How to credit us
On a website, use the embed code, or add this line under the image: Source: SureFoot Pets · CC BY 4.0, with “SureFoot Pets” linking to surefootpets.com. In print, “Source: SureFoot Pets, surefootpets.com” is enough.
Resizing or cropping to fit your page is fine. Please don’t change what a graphic says or cut off the source line at the bottom, so readers can still check the evidence. If you do adapt one, the license asks you to say so in the credit.
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