Early Signs of Separation Anxiety in Maltese Dogs Most Owners Miss

January 21, 2026

Separation anxiety rarely appears suddenly.
In most Maltese dogs, it develops quietly — through small, easily overlooked signals.

Because these signs often look like affection or loyalty, many owners don’t recognize them until anxiety becomes more intense.

Learning to notice the early signs can make a huge difference.

Maltese dogs enjoy closeness, but constant following can signal emotional insecurity.

Early warning signs include:

When a dog cannot relax unless you are nearby, it often means they haven’t learned that separation is safe.

Many Maltese dogs begin feeling stressed long before the owner actually leaves.

Common triggers include:

Signs of anticipatory anxiety:

If these behaviors stop when you sit back down, they are easy to dismiss — but they matter.

Early separation anxiety doesn’t depend on how long you’re gone.

Some dogs struggle even during:

Owners often think:

“It’s only a minute — that’s normal.”

But separation anxiety is about the act of separation, not time.

Extreme excitement when you return may feel flattering — but it can signal emotional overload.

Warning signs include:

Healthy dogs recover quickly after reunion.
Dogs with anxiety often struggle to regulate themselves.

Not all anxious dogs bark or destroy things.

Some Maltese dogs:

These early signals are overlooked because they:

But early anxiety is much easier to address than advanced panic.

Recognizing early signs allows you to:

Early awareness isn’t about worry.
It’s about prevention.

Your Maltese doesn’t show early anxiety because they’re difficult.

They show it because they’re sensitive, bonded, and emotionally aware.

When these signs are noticed early, calm independence becomes much easier to build.