Oh boy, this is definitely not a fun situation to be in, neither for you or the dog.
You seem to be doing all the right things though, and as you probably know SA is not something that goes away overnight. I hope we'll be of some help!
Now, does he start whining the moment you're out of sight? I have read that at the beginning, departures should be as short as the dog can handle, so that you return to him before the onset of anxiety. My pup would also start whining/jumping his baby gate when he was left alone and I found that if I left him for a very short amount of time (then gradually increasing that time) and he didn't whine, if I rewarded the good behavior (staying quiet) with treats and/or affection he improved a lot faster. After I rewarded him I would leave and if he would whine I would wait until he stopped (even for a split second!) and reward him immediately.
Also, I take it you let him roam free when you're away from home? If not, my mistake; it's what I assumed from the information you gave us! It might be beneficial to give him a small, safe room where he cannot destroy or get a hold of anything potentially dangerous such as a bathroom or the laundry room and install his crate there. That way you can keep him in the room (if you don't want to completely isolate him by closing the door it may be best to start by installing a baby gate that he cannot jump over) when you are gone. You would have to accustom him to his room by gradually increasing the time as you are doing with his crate. To help further ease his anxiety, leave many treats dispersed in the room and in his cage, and give him many toys (interactive toys/stuffed toys tend to keep dogs busy for a while as well as Kongs filled with yogurt or other yummy freezable and dog-safe food). The purpose of all this is to allow him to feel comfortable and safe and also to keep you at ease when you are gone since you know he cannot eat or destroy anything. I know you've said he doesn't do such things but if his anxiety increases he might find new ways to release his stress.
I wish you luck and I hope we'll be able to offer valuable insight!
You seem to be doing all the right things though, and as you probably know SA is not something that goes away overnight. I hope we'll be of some help!
Now, does he start whining the moment you're out of sight? I have read that at the beginning, departures should be as short as the dog can handle, so that you return to him before the onset of anxiety. My pup would also start whining/jumping his baby gate when he was left alone and I found that if I left him for a very short amount of time (then gradually increasing that time) and he didn't whine, if I rewarded the good behavior (staying quiet) with treats and/or affection he improved a lot faster. After I rewarded him I would leave and if he would whine I would wait until he stopped (even for a split second!) and reward him immediately.Also, I take it you let him roam free when you're away from home? If not, my mistake; it's what I assumed from the information you gave us! It might be beneficial to give him a small, safe room where he cannot destroy or get a hold of anything potentially dangerous such as a bathroom or the laundry room and install his crate there. That way you can keep him in the room (if you don't want to completely isolate him by closing the door it may be best to start by installing a baby gate that he cannot jump over) when you are gone. You would have to accustom him to his room by gradually increasing the time as you are doing with his crate. To help further ease his anxiety, leave many treats dispersed in the room and in his cage, and give him many toys (interactive toys/stuffed toys tend to keep dogs busy for a while as well as Kongs filled with yogurt or other yummy freezable and dog-safe food). The purpose of all this is to allow him to feel comfortable and safe and also to keep you at ease when you are gone since you know he cannot eat or destroy anything. I know you've said he doesn't do such things but if his anxiety increases he might find new ways to release his stress.
I wish you luck and I hope we'll be able to offer valuable insight!
