I just joined this forum today but I have been reading the advice since we got our cute little guy in December of 2012. However, I'm struggling a lot with our 6 month old pup, Kato's, (what seems like to me) separation anxiety. I will fully admit that while my boyfriend and I are at work, he is in his crate (I do come home at lunch because it's only a mile drive). I felt like he was getting to the point where he could maybe be left alone for a short period of time without being kenneled. I am currently training for a half marathon, so I thought my short run days would be the perfect opportunity to try it out. The first time I left him out was for 45 minutes and he did just fine. Did not destroy anything, but he did howl for quite a long time while watching me from the window. The next few times were not as successful. We recently moved into a new house & the previous owner's left a couch for us in front of a big bay window where Kato watches everything going on outside from. He has absolutely destroyed the entire back portion of this couch! I have been able to cover it with a blanket so he can still utilize it, but I would never want him to destroy my brand new furniture. If I come home from work and immediately leave for a run and kennel him, he's very confused because it deviates from his daily schedule. Otherwise, he does extremely well in his crate. Is he just not old enough to be left alone? He was never destructive with his toys until I started leaving him unattended for these short spurts after work.

The other reasons I believe he's having separation anxiety (only from me, not my boyfriend...which is bazaar) are as follows:

He scratches at the door as soon as I leave his sight. Even if it's just for 2 seconds to take out the recycling, or when I leave for work he scratches and howls by the garage door, although my boyfriend is home at the time.

He gets jealous when my boyfriend is giving me attention. For instance, cuddling watching a movie. Is this normal??

We recently had a short spurt of 80 degree weather (Wisconsin has had a very strange spring weather pattern thus far) so the coolest part of our house was the basement. I was home but had company (whom he was very comfortable with) but I sent him down in the basement with my boyfriend because he was panting uncontrollably in the main floor of our home. He immediately ran back up to the top step and waited by the door, whining, until I opened it up.

He is literally my shadow, which I haven't minded! I love the companionship. He is a great, very well trained dog but some of this is starting to drive me insane! I also think it's getting to my boyfriend that when we take him for walks together, he is more concerned with what I'm doing than what Tim is commanding him to do. Everything else I've read about separation anxiety generally revolves around kennels and them not being okay in there; this is not the case with Kato. So I'm really unsure. Maybe I just spoil him too much. Looking for any advice, please!

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Without going into too much detail, for starters though, giving in to him when he whined and scratches at the door or window is not going to allow you to accomplish your goal.

It sounds he has learned (has trained you) that when he wants you back the way to get you is whining and scratching on doors.

A more detailed strategy for you to accomplish your goal is gonna have to include some tough love from you and some desensitivity to him disagreements with you leaving him alone.

Do you have a good recommendation as to how to accomplish that without allowing him to destroy every one of my household doors? I'm open to any suggestions!

You may have to ignore him for a while and let the bf do all the work, from feeding him to taking him out to training him. This way he realizes that you aren't the only one in charge. Since its not a crate issue, you're going to have to desensitize him to you leaving. You can do this by taking the crate and expanding it to include the house. So you would start by leaving for short periods of time, while the bf works with him, giving him treats when he doesn't whine and scratch at the door. He can let you know when Kato has stopped the whining and scratching and then you can come back. Make him realize that not doing those things brings you back, doing them makes you stay away longer. Hope it helps!!!

I've seen a clear plastic sheeting be used at the lower portions of doors to keep them from getting damaged maybe that would work? I'm honestly not sure where to find them at though?

Thank you! It will be tough but it definitely has to be done.

Appreciate the help!