[yorkieusa]

I don't know if it will work or not, but a book I have speaks about separation anxiety. It says:

If your dog is barking inside the house when he is alone, he might be suffering from separation anxiety. A dog who has separation anxiety is inconsolable when you leave the house and will whine, bark, and perhaps scratch at the door. He may also destroy things while you're gone.

In order to help control this problem, don't make a big fuss about saying hello and goodbye when you enter or leave the house. In fact don't greet your barking dog at all until he has calmed down. Ignore him. When you pet him, you're just rewarding the behavior. Only pet him when he has stopped barking and after you've asked him to sit.

Be sure to crate him or confine him to a safe room when you are gone so that he doesn't get a chance to destroy anything. Turn on the television or radio so that he feels like he has company. Make sure he gets plenty of exercise, and provide him with a chance to eliminate before you leave. Don't forget to give him plenty of chew toys to keep him occupied.

If your dogs often barks his head off while in the crate, try this: About 30 minutes before you leave, give him his Nylabone or a Rhino stuffed with peanut butter or cheese and then ignore him just as if you were already gone. Don't talk to him, and don't say good-bye; just leave. (This also works if you don't leave your dog in a crate.) When you return, don't say hello or make a big deal about coming home; just walk right past the crate and ignore him for about five minutes. When he quiets down, take him directly outside to relieve himself. Don't take him out of the crate when he's barking. The rationale behind this is that if you acknowledge your dog the minute you get home, he'll anticipate your return and bark the entire time you're gone.

Another solution for barking due to separation anxiety is to pretend you're leaving as an exercise to get your dog used to your comings and goings. Place your dog in the crate, put on your coat, take your car keys, and walk around the house for a few minutes. Then, let him out if he's quiet and praise him. Next, dress up again and walk out the door for 30 seconds. Do it again for 2 minutes, then for 5 minutes, then for 10 minutes, then for 20 minutes, and so on. If he's quiet when you return, praise him verbally. If he's barking, just ignore him until he calms down, even if it's only for a moment. Repeat this exercise over a period of several days to several weeks, and your dog should get used to your leaving him.

This is what the book says to do. I know how inconsolable they really can be. I've been through it in the past. I wish you luck. Let us know if anything works. I wanted to welcome you, too...