dogpursemaker

I would definitely go with teaching your dog to crate. It's also a very handy and safe way to transport your dog in your vehicle. My dog gets worried when I take her crate out of my van. She will go in and hope that I remember to reload!

hazeljane

As a rescuer of a breed that frequently has separation anxiety- I second the thundershirts. I would also go to the health food store and look for a product (for humans) called Rescue Remedy. It is a Bach Flower Essence. It really helps the nervous dogs. Put a few drops in his water, or just soak a treat with a couple of drops.

CloverPatch

Yes, I agree No magic cure.
Mine would get terrible anxiety if I had to leave town, by the time I got home the anxiety turned to bad depression. One trick I found that helps is leaving the TV on. Bedroom lights on, leaving the house as if I didn't leave at all. There was a lot less mess to clean up when I did it that way. I ended up just getting another dog. Oh, how he hated that dog when I brought him in. Dirty looks, beg hogging, competion on who could sit in my lap more. Just crazyness, but in the end they were the best of buds. And know I know, when they tore up my kitchen it was a team effort!
That was some time ago, my old dog is now 15 (still gets in te trash) but no more panic attacks when the door shuts.

janedee

there is a technique that really helps them get over this but it is time consuming - you have to get ready to go out as normal - don't talk to the dog - go out and come back about 10 mins later - next time extend the time by about 5 mins - obviously this has to be done over a period of time not all in one day!! when you get back each time ignore the dog for a few minutes - get your shoes off hang your coat and then make a fuss of the dog it does work but as I said it is a lengthy process but no crates involved and you end up with a happy dog cos even if you crate them they are still in distress!!

QBeth

This is the method used by that British woman dog trainer > Victoria?? on her tv show "It's me or the Dog"?? Good luck to both you and your puppy!

teacherbailey

I ditto the Rescue Remedy and the crate training. My Australian Shepherd mix has terrible fear of thunderstorms and being in his crate (with a blanket thrown over for coziness) works better than anything else.... Crates should never be used as punishment; my guys get treats to get in them when it's a weird time----like anytime but bedtime. They grow to love them. Remember that dogs come from wolves, who lived in dark caves.

BarbaraSue

Our Red Bone Coon hound had separation anxiety. We were the 5th family to adopt him from the local pound. His origianl owner had left there-twice!
He ran all over the house as we left, tore down gates, blinds, etc.
Funny thing was that when we walked him out to the dog house outside and put him on a 15 ft chain in the shade with water and food, he would walk over to it lie down and look at me like he was saying. "don't you have a place to go?"
He didn't like being left alone, but worse was not being out. He didn't want to "feel" confined. He's gone now. I miss him still. He was a character otherwise.
Good Luck! They still make good pets, sometimes need the extra time you have to spend to help them.

2manyprojects

I did 2 things which seem to help, he still loves it when I come home but is not as bad as he was...1. leave a radio on low and 2. I now have 3 cats and one of them is his best friend, sleep, play together etc and he is a 120 lb Rot/Pit mix!

Nolee

A product called "Rescue Remedy". You can get it at a health food store although more grocery stores with health food departments have it now than ever before. It calms. I use it for people trauma, when you are anxious for anything, we used it on our dog when we had her and whenever transplanting seedlings or full grown plants, I put a dropper full in the water. I have NEVER and I mean NEVER lost a plant yet. It is for all living things.

Normabeth

You can also try giving a few drops of Rescue Remedy
(buy this at health food stores) this was used during WWII in England, it calmed down the kids during bombings
It's all nature made from flowers. I used it on my dog and it worked.
NormaBeth