What can I do about separation anxiety in my dog?

Record your dog for the first thirty minutes after you leave. Panting, drooling, frantic escape attempts and non-stop vocalizing point toward anxiety. A dog who settles after ten minutes and later chews a shoe is bored, not panicked.

Practice departures that are shorter than the point where your dog gets upset — seconds at first. Come back before the panic, not after. Long absences during the training period undo the progress, so arrange coverage where you can.

Skip emotional goodbyes and greetings. Make your departure cues meaningless by picking up your keys twenty times a day and sitting back down. Give the dog a settled place to be and something to chew.

Severe cases benefit from a coordinated plan with your trainer. Day training or structured boarding can also cover the hours you cannot, so the dog isn't practicing panic every workday.