Lockdown and separation anxiety

[EllenJay]

Before lockdown my dogs were used to me being away for 8/9 hours a day with a break with the dog walker. They were happy in each others company, dog flap so they could go out into the garden whenever they choose.
However, since lockdown they have been with me 24/7 which is fab. But today I went out and left them behind for about 3 hours. My goodness, they went berserk when I got back.
Ruby wouldn't leave my side, she even tried to get in the bath with me! I think I need to plan now for when lockdown is over and start leaving them at home alone. The biggest problem is that during lockdown you really shouldn't be out of your home for extended periods.
I'm not sure what the answer is - so if anyone has any ideas on how to get them back to being happy being left for up to 4 hours a day, while being around all the time, ideas would be gratefully accepted

 

[Cinnamontoast]

This will be hard, but can you enforce them being in a different room? As long as they aren’t being destructive, I wouldn’t worry too much. Mine greet me like they’ve been starved of human affection for about a thousand years, despite the OH being home with them while I do the horse! Equally, when they hear his car, it’s like I don’t exist and he’s the only interesting person in the world. They don’t have much time home alone, but they’re fine when left.

Have you got a camera you could set up to monitor them if you do go out?

 

[CorvusCorax]

This is why I have tried to keep everything the same, hard though it has been.
IE...I'm not with them for X amount of hours, walk at normal time etc.
Especially with the younger one, he normally goes into a depression/suffers a stress induced ailment if he's with me for ages (holidays) then away from me (back to work).
It's slightly easier as I have kennels.

Is there any way you can crate/put them in another room/pop them in car and make that a positive experience. Basically create some distance in the interim and build it up?