[GunnersMom]

The only thing saving us right now is that I do most of my work from home. But it's just not possible for someone to be here with him 24/7/365. He has to be left alone from time to time. And right now, we can't do that. I can't even take our other dog out to 'do his thing' without the non-stop barking and destruction.

We've tried everything that we can possibly think of. I did consider daycare for him because my aunt did that with her GSD and it did wonders for him. Problems are 1) He's intact. The only daycare center around here specifies that they be altered. 2) After the move and all the expenses because of it, we just can't afford it right now. And the behaviorist said it could go either way. He said there's a chance that it could help and there's a chance that it could make matters worse and he'll hate being left alone even more than he does now. He said he wouldn't recommend it right now.
And yeah, I thought about having him neutered. Thought that maybe it would calm him down a bit, but our vet doesn't think it would change his behavior as far as the barking/destruction when he's left alone. She thinks it's too much of a habit for him and neutering isn't going to change that. That's why she wasn't real sure the medication would help, either.

I do leave a TV on for him, but he pays no attention to that. It doesn't give him any sense of security.

I did give in and try the spray collar. Had mom pick one up yesterday. I didn't want to, but out of desperation we tried it. It stopped the barking, but completely frustrated him and stressed him out. He ripped up the carpet and tore a nail clawing at the baby gate.

I've exercised him until his tongue is practically dragging the ground. Doesn't help. The minute I walk out the door, he's barking and clawing at the carpet or the walls.

The behaviorist seems to think that IF we can fix the problem, the only way we're going to do it is by taking time, desensitizing him to being alone, etc. We've BEEN doing that for weeks. We started before we moved (posted about it here.) It's just not working and now that we've moved, we don't have the luxury of letting him bark while we work it out, like we did at our house.

That's why I'm trying to find someone for him now, before I'm in the situation of having 48 hours to do it. The way it's going now, it's only a matter of time before that happens.

I appreciate the support and kind words. This is killing me. I wish we'd never moved, but it's not like we had a choice there, either. We had to.