It could definitely be do to stress. Is the dog very agitated before you leave? Panting, Pacing? Have you noticed any scratch marks on the crate or the floor? Those are usually clear signs of a seperation anxiety. Even if the dog isn't displaying those issues, he could still be heading in to it. If he is still a mild case, you can work with him by conditioning him to stay in the crate for short periods of time. Very short. The point is for him to understand you will come back. Definitely no hellos or goodbyes. If, however, this is a severe case, the dog can potentially injure himself. In those cases it is not recommended that you leave the dog alone and seek help from a professional trainer/behaviorist.
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