A dog that displays destructive behavior only when the owners are absent is most likely suffering from which condition?

A dog that exhibits destructive behavior specifically when its owners are away is most likely experiencing separation anxiety. This condition is characterized by a pet's extreme distress when separated from its guardians, leading to various behavioral issues such as chewing, digging, or urinating inappropriately. The key factor here is the timing of the behavior, which correlates directly with the owner's absence, indicating that the dog is struggling with being alone.

Separation anxiety arises from a strong emotional attachment to the owners, and it typically manifests as a reaction to isolation rather than a general behavioral issue or responding to environmental stimuli, which differentiates it from other options like generalized anxiety disorder or phobic reactions. Furthermore, attention-seeking behavior doesn’t necessarily result in destructive actions linked to the absence of the owners; it often involves actions meant to elicit a response when the owner is present. Therefore, the presence of destructive behavior solely during the owners' absence strongly supports the diagnosis of separation anxiety.