Any Help and advice appreciated...

[GulfCoast]

It sounds to me, without knowing more, that a good heaping dose of excercise in the AM to get the dog good and exhausted (try swimming) would help out a lot. Oftentimes, in my experience, seperation anxiety goes hand in hand with "too much anxious energy." Just a thought.

[momofalab]

What about small does of the cage when they are home. Maybe start out short period of time, Reward, let him out. Build up the time see if that helps. If he acts out then at least they can talk him through it. What kind of cage are they using? Is it an open wired one, or Vari Kennel? I know my first dog had an issue if he was enclosed in the vari kennel, but was fine when he could see out from all angles.

[lisa]

Happy to report they are going to give him more time and work on it. They have spoke with their vet about meds and some other solutions. He is a wonderful dog...I pray things work out so he can stay with this family, this gentle boy has been through enough. Please keep Buddy in your good thoughts and prayers.

[amazongold]

I would also suggest try making the crate a positive experience, by giving him treats in it and even feeding him in it. That may help him see it more as a haven and not a place to escape.

[kassabella]

Rescue Remedy didn't work for Ernie.

When I first left him he went nuts in the crate and would move it until he finally destroyed it. I got a sollid one that I wedged between the furniture so he couldn't move, and it helped support it so he couldn't destroy it.
He never had treats as rewards so took ages with me sitting in the crate feeding and treating. I would leave him a couple of mins then get back in until I was able to close the door and leave him. He broke out twice before settling. I can't get him out of it now.

Tell them; hang in there. It does get better.

[Samson]

I have heard one good report of this

What is D.A.P.®? / All about DAP® / DAP - The secret to happy dogs - DAP

It's not cheap but worth a try !

[rayluckgoo]

I've been there...twice. The first time is when we got Caleb at 8 mos. He had never been crate trained and our first attempts ended with a plastic vari-kennel chewed to threads. Our next wire crate made him bloody...and destroy the house he did! He turned over aquariums, pulled plants down into the kitchen sink and turned the water on...twice! There was water running out the back door when I got home. So...we did the craziest thing possible and got him a puppy (even though we had a dog...a 15 year old lab that had Alzheimers. That stopped it...he turned out to be the best dog EVER!
We currently have a Shih Tzu that we inherited when my husband's mother died that has separation anxiety. He's okay when the other two are home but he doesn't have the stamina to go on the long hikes the labs do so he gets left behind sometimes. He doesn't destroy...he tries to break windows and get out. We put him on separation anxiety drugs. He's doing much better and we're weaning him off them now (been on them for a year). I think trying medications is a reasonable step for awhile. It takes the edge off so the dog can actually get more comfortable in his situation. Good Luck.