my velcro puppy's anxiety when i leave him alone

[Sally]

I have been trying so hard to help Duncan to relax when i leave the house. I work from home and right from the beginning when i brought him home (he was 12 weeks) he adjusted to the bedtime crate just fine. But during the day when i need to do things around the house, shower, clean etc. and even when i leave the house (which is never longer than an hour or 2) he cries and barks in his crate and refuses to eat/chew any treat, kong, bone or play with any toy that i leave for him. As soon as i return to the room and he is quiet i let him out and then he'll run back in for the treats/toys. At first i let him have the "rescued item" but now i am trying to let him know that he will only get the yummy stuff IN the crate. And if he goes on strike in the crate then he loses out on those treats when he comes out. He's just a few days shy of 6 months and things haven't really got better. I payed a behaviorist way too much money to give me some techniques to try. The typical de-sensitization stuff. Nothing is working so far. I give him lots of exercise and try to crate him for at least an hour while i am home to help him learn to be comfortable without being attached to my leg or hip and also at least an hour when i leave the house. Does anyone have any suggestions on how he might be able to overcome the anxiety enough to at least nibble on a kong or even take a nap. I'm prepared to gate him in a larger space if need be but i really don't think it's the crate....but rather being separated from his mama. Thanks!

[Chris & Boys]

I would try to make a point of leaving him alone everyday. Also, try to make them longer outings. Being gone only an hour doesn't even give him enough time to be bored.

I have a 14 yr GR, and he will not eat or drink unless I am home. And I work outside the home. And he was velcro until I brought Fozzy home in January. Now he relinquished his velcro title to him. ( I think he knows it is the only way to get away from that crazy pup) Good luck!

[Lynne B]

I agree with Chris, also- completely change your routine when you leave the house, if you normally carry your keys around, quit doing it- and do suprise outings- just walk out for 5 minutes or 10 minutes, make your leaving the house something that is unpredictable and the length of your absence variable from 30 seconds to hours..

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

I do the same as you except I dont crate her. I confine her. Her crate is only used as a bed for night. I found that she was more accepting of being left alone if I gave her special treats to occupy her that she only got when I went out, and I confined her but didnt crate her - I blocked of an area in the kitchen ( about the size king size bed) and she stayed there with her stuff. Now she is 5 months old and she has the whole kitchen and family room. Right from a tiny puppy she would go balisitc if I tried to leave her in the crate. I thinks she felt caged.