Pet Separation Anxiety

[livingwith]

I really need some help with my dog. He will be 2 in 12/2007. He is a brindle mix of Boxer & Mastiff who is around 70-75 lbs. I adopted him from a shelter back in 2006. His mother had the litter there so their has been no previous owners than myself.
When I leave my home I do crate him. What I can’t get him to stop is “messing” in his crate. He also barks incessantly till arrive back home. I have tried everything imaginable to try & help the situation out. I may need to...Read the full article

[mmallon]

I have an 8 yr old Rhodisian Ridgeback who has had separation anxiety her whole life. It's a lot better now but in the beginning, I can't tell you how many pairs of shoes I lost while being away from home. I think they just get scared that you are leaving and not coming back. After several months of this, I made sure that when I left, I left her something that "smelled" like me (an old t-shirt or a towel) I also cupped her face in my hands, looked right into her eyes and assured her that "mom" would be back in a little while. I think that gaining the confidence of your pet will help the situation very much. I hope that you gave your pet the chance to prove that he could do without you for a while without having to give him up. Now I leave Saddie with treats and toys and she's a happy girl because she knows that mom is coming back and will never leave her alone.

Good luck to everyone.