OP back again. Thanks everyone for the helpful responses. I was at a really low point when I wrote this. I would NEVER get rid of my dog, and i (oddly) think that’s where some of my concern stems from. If I had a SFH and he was barking, I’d obviously try to resolve the issue for his benefit but wouldn’t worry so much about it myself. Since I live in a condo, I don’t want to be insensitive to my neighbors or get complaints about this (worried they’d evict the dog even though I’m the owner) so I basically just don’t leave. Sigh. I’ve signed us up with a trainer which will hopefully help.

I have a no-shock bark collar and it works

Which bark collars have you tried? My anxious dog barks up a storm when we leave but once we put the collar on he's not happy but much more calm.

Anonymous wrote:Get rid of the dog. Pets are there for enjoyment not to make your life harder. Get rid of of it and get a different one if you really want a dog.

Actually we are going to get rid of you because you obviously don't bring joy and happiness to your family every minute of the day.

Cancelled!

I would not normally suggested this, but I think you need to re-home the dog. He is not happy in an apartment and needs more space and exercise than you can provide. If you think you're frustrated, the dog is even more frustrated. At least you get to leave. Sorry.

My DH! Autocorrect to shoulder

I think as others have said that he may be scared. This will take work and consistency but.... you go out for one min, wait, come back. Do that many times for a few days. Then go for 2 min, then 5 etc. Perhaps you play the radio or music when you go. You will begin to signal and train him that these are your leaving cues but that you come back.

I am not a dog trainer at all but we’ve had a few rescues and one had separation anxiety. This is what we did . It took time, consistency, and a general pain but we had a baby, home a lot anyway, and my shoulder loves dogs and did most of it. Good luck.

Anonymous wrote:OP you're an idiot and shouldn't own a dog.

Get him a home with a yard with people who want to spend time with him.

You do realize not everyone has a million dollars to drop on a house with a yard? Geez.

OP you're an idiot and shouldn't own a dog.

Get him a home with a yard with people who want to spend time with him.

If you follow Cesar Milan's dog psychology methods, the other explanation for this is not separation anxiety, but your dog being treated as the pack leader in your household. Following that theory, the pack leader is in charge and no other "dogs" (or in your case, humans) should be leaving the house without the pack leader's "permission." How do you treat your dog when you're home? Do you control the situation or let him run the house? Examples include, does he get on the furniture without being invited? Beg at the table? Do you allow him to walk out the door before you when you go for a walk? These don't seem like big things but collectively, they can make a dominant dog feel like he's in charge. Just an alternate thought.

Anonymous wrote:I have an anxious dog. He hasn't been left alone much due to COVID. But we are going out now without him to get him used to the day we all go back to work. I subscribe to DogTv. And leave it on for him, low volume, but where he can see it easily. It's a godsend. Completely calms him down. You could try that.

Personally, I would try doggie day care at least a couple of days a week. It will run him ragged so that he doesn't have a lot of energy the next day and will be happy enough sleeping.

https://www.dogtv.com/

I have an anxious dog. He hasn't been left alone much due to COVID. But we are going out now without him to get him used to the day we all go back to work. I subscribe to DogTv. And leave it on for him, low volume, but where he can see it easily. It's a godsend. Completely calms him down. You could try that.

Personally, I would try doggie day care at least a couple of days a week. It will run him ragged so that he doesn't have a lot of energy the next day and will be happy enough sleeping.

Do you crate him? If not, I would try that. We leave ours in a crate with a Kong full of peanut butter and the TV on. He feels safe and contented, and usually goes to sleep.

Anonymous wrote:If you can, move to a townhouse or house where it’s quieter. Some dogs just don’t do well in apartments with all the strange sounds from neighbors.

You think OP should move to accommodate her dog? Wow that is crazy.

My rescue dog did this, she had only ever lived with a pack. I started giving her a kong with peanut butter in it or a rawhide when I left, so she associated me leaving with the joy of food. It worked great. Get rid of the hard collars. Oh, and make sure the dog had plenty of exercise too.