Professional perspectives on recurrent characteristics of dogs with separation-related problems: a qualitative study in three nordic countries

Separation related problems (SRPs) are common in companion dogs and give rise to serious problems for both dog welfare and owner quality of life. However, they are not well understood, making them difficult to prevent and treat. A so far underutilised source of knowledge is experience from professional behaviour practice. In this qualitative study, we explored professionally situated knowledge to identify factors that may contribute to the development of SRPs in dogs. The study is based on 15 semi-structured interviews with a diverse group of dog professionals (veterinarians, animal behaviourists, dog trainers) involved in the treatment of SRPs in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. The transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Six central themes emerged from this analysis, which were labelled "co-occurring behavioural difficulties", "a body in flux", "dog training gone wrong", "breed type", "changes to routine and environment", and "psychological interplay between dogs and their owners". These themes reflect professional observations of recurring contexts in SRP cases, rather than empirically established risk factors. While some align with existing scientific findings (e.g. comorbidity with noise sensitivity), others highlight underexplored areas, such as effects of adolescence and owner stress. The findings serve to underpin a broad, context-aware view of SRPs.