aww its tough. We've all been there. I read that dogs, like children, go through separation issues around this age. Does he have the run of the house? Maybe this is too overwhelming for him... Make sure you have a ritual when you leave the house. Layla hangs out on the stairs when i leave. So i put down a blanket on the stairs for her to sit on. I tell her to come give mommy a kiss.. which puts her on the stairs and then i say.. mommy will be RIGHT back. But you could maybe give him a special toy or his Kong... I also leave the TV on.. just so she can hear voices- the cooking channel is our fav
Also make sure when you come in you are very low key.. give him a good boy.. if he wants to be picked up - ignore him for a while... and when he has settled give him a special treat and a lot of loving. RIght now he doens't understand that when you leave you ARE coming back.. so if you start the ritual he will undrestand that when A B and C happen that means you will go away and then come back... he'll start to make the connection. and 4 hours is not bad.. a lot of little ones get left for the whole day.. their moms must be very heartbroken!!! Keep it up.. it's like crate training.. they cry and CRY for a few nights until they get it