Pet Separation Anxiety

[meritas]

My husband and I have a 10 year old border collie/lab mix dog named Gridley, who has suffered from separation anxiety since we rescued him at age six months. Generally, we've been able to cope with his anxiety by leaving him in rooms where he couldn't see out (basement or upstairs office area). However, yesterday he attacked a second floor window (broke it) and shredded the window framing. (It's likely that the UPS truck came down our street -- something that really agitates him off.) Needless to say, this is a wake-up call for me; I've got to find a way to ease his anxiety and keep him safe.

My questions are many... and any/all suggestions and guidance would be appreciated. Gridley is a large dog -- and my husband and I both fear that he would hurt himself if left in a kennel/cage. If this is what we end up having to do, would it be appropriate to give him Benedryl to help him sleep while enclosed? Have any of you successfully dealt with destructive behavior while keeping your dog in a kennel?

I've begun researching what products I could use to calm him when we are away from home and have run across a product called Rescue Remedy. Has anyone had success using this product? Does separation anxiety get worse with age?

Many thanks for listening... Karen