For anxiety in dogs I would recommend Bach Flower Essence, Rescue Remedy. You can find it at your local health food store and it has a very calming affect very shortly after administered.
Olive (my dog) has always displayed symptoms of separation anxiety. After I leave she will try to find anything she can get her paws on that smells like me or the girls. I have had to resort to moving our laundry into my closet because she drags it all over the house and eventually onto the couch so she can sleep on it. I have one particular sweater I give her that I don't mind being covered in dog hair and saliva and she keeps it with her at all times when home alone.
Another key to diminishing separation anxiety is to not speak to them when you leave the house. I used to always snuggle Olive, tell her to be a good girl and that I would be home soon. I was told that this behavior just escalates their anxiety because they know you are leaving and by acknowledging that it exacerbates the problem.
So now when I leave I don't make eye contact and I don't say goodbye. The same goes for when I come home and she is jumping all over me and flipping out. My behavior communicates to her that I am in charge and I am the alpha female in the house. I walk in the house, pick up her leash and walk her outside to go potty. Then when we get back in and I have things settled I acknowledge her and smother her with kisses.
At first I thought this was very cruel behavior on my part, but after really working on it I started to see a marked improvement in her behavior and spirit.
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