Separation anxiety advice

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Flight

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Hi, I am taking on a dog at weekend (as long as it gets on with 2 already got) which has separation anxiety. It currently lives on its own and was fine for a couple of years but something has upset it and it started scratching at floor and ripping up carpet when left. Current owners have tried a dog behaviour specialist but it doesn't seem to have made any improvement. Owners don't want to give up as they love dog but realise it not happy at mo. My 2 are very settled and in a good routine. Does anyone have any advice for trying to prevent the dog from continuing this behaviour or minimising it? I am hoping my 2 will show it there is nothing to be upset about? Any advice welcome, thanks.
 
Lots of distractions.

We were suffering with this with our new dog.

Lots of stuffed kongs, pigs ears, chew toys, soft toys ect.

Make sure before you leave him he has a good long walk so he is tired.

Good luck
 
Creating a routine asap, and most importantly creating a smaller secure area where the dog spends time in the area when u are in aswell as out.
The main reason for dogs to suffer seperation issues once trained and relapsed is that someone spend and awful lot of time with it, then proceeds to leave it again(dog becomes very confused and seeks that person/company), so a routine when in aswell as out is vital.
As Katie suggests exercise is key, a dog drained of energy is less likely to exuberate that energy pacing, barking and creating destruction, stimulating treats is also good but these will usually only be taken by a settled dog not one in the midst of anxiety.
So choose said small secure area and leave the dog in when doing household chores and cooking e,t,c and walk in and out of the area, this way the dog does not assosiate the area as a place it goes hwne left alone and deserted, leave a radio on and try to choose an area that does not give full view of the exit and entrance, so when u do eventually build up time and leave the dog it cannot see u leave and re enter, no fuss upon return, leave the dog a few minutes then sinply let it out to the toilet, this way the dog does not anticipate your return as the huge deal u make of it.
Alternitivly introduce a crate and start from scratch.
 
Everything Cayla said - we've been following a similar regime with our six month old rehomed dog who has never been left alone before. The kitchen is her 'safe zone'; she can open doors so we've installed a stair gate and a latch on the kitchen door to keep her in there and she can't see us coming and going from the front door that way. She has her bed in there, a stuffed kong, various toys and treats to make it a fun place to be. The kong only appears when we leave so it's a big treat to look forward to.

We only leave her when she's been out for a good walk and toileted immediately beforehand, otherwise she has far too much spare energy and will have accidents which upset her as she knows not to go in the house. She's kind of been conditioned to understand that when we come back from walks it's quiet time and she tends to settle down and nap then anyway.

When leaving we don't make a show of putting on shoes, getting coats etc. - just drop the kong and go, and then when we return we just ignore any excited behaviour and only acknowledge her when she's finally calm and sitting.

You will be helped immensely by having other calm dogs around, I am very jealous and suspect your neighbours will have to put up with less howling than ours have.
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Best of luck, it's a tough nut to crack but every extra minute the dog can stay alone for is a small victory.
 
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