Mikey T's responses are worth looking at, he always seems to have good advice- most of the advice seems to support what everyone has already said in this thread: the Citronella collar is much more effective than other methods- there is also some discussion about separtaion anxiety -
Hope this helps-[/b]
I doubt the collar will work because it is more likely seperation anxiety there are a myriad of possible solutions but most involve behaviormodification w/ or without medication
Separation Anxiety
Home Alone
"However, dogs that do exhibit separation anxiety behaviors -- excessive barking, household destruction, and inappropriate elimination -- are not acting out of spite or anger. They are simply distressed by separation from "their people." Most dogs live to please -- an important fact to remember as you try to help your dog overcome separation anxiety.
...Separation anxiety most often occurs in dogs that become very attached to their owners. While genetics may play a role, most experts believe certain early experiences lead dogs to form intense bonds with people and therefore become vulnerable to separation anxiety.
...Successful treatment requires patience, consistency, and praise. "Praise is an important part of treatment, because dogs inherently want to please," says Dr. Dodman. "Positive reinforcement gives your dog the confidence to tolerate longer periods alone. Conversely, punishing a dog for separation anxiety behaviors that occurred earlier makes the dog more anxious because it doesn't connect the punishment with the undesirable behavior."
Rather than reversing the specific "bad" behaviors, treatment for separation anxiety focuses on reducing the dog's panic level just before and after the owner's departure. Because dog behavior is relatively complex, treatment usually entails a combination of methods: behavior-modifying desensitization (gradually increasing the dog's exposure to situations that produce anxiety) and counter-conditioning (training the dog to expect pleasure, not panic, when left alone). In difficult cases, anti-anxiety medications, "pharmacological shoehorns" as Dr. Dodman calls them, may facilitate behavioral treatment. "
While not reccommended some have found another companion for the dog eliminates the problem the problem is often instead of just one dog displaying the unwanted behavior now you have two and they can feed off of each other making things worse not better.
pet sitters, dog walkers, doggie day care are all way to minimize the time the dog is left alone. Giving the dog something to do while you are gone can also help. I know of one person that will scatter the dogs breakfeast over the yard so it must spen a time hunting for it, a
bustercube.com or stuffed kong can help.
The degree of anxiety varies, the treatment is generally faster and more effective the sooner it is implementent as with many behaviors this anxiety is typically self rewarding because 1 the owner eventually aways comes back and rarely anything bad occurs when the dog is in midst of it
