My Odie was the SAME WAY. For over a year, we struggled trying to find a way to keep him from being so upset when we are away at work. He is 4 years old, and had been bounced from home to home because of this -- no one would keep him. We tried everything, but he was just SOOO destructive. Outside, he would dig out of the yard and escape. It was terrible, and we were at our wit's end. He was spending his days chained to a tree in the backyard while we were away, and was still barking his head off until our neighbors were about to KILL us.

We tried all kinds of suggestions for containing him in the yard, got him lots of exercise, went through morning goodbye rituals, avoided goodbye rituals, visited him at lunch, called and left messages on the machine for him, left tvs/radios on for him, bought all kinds of pillows and chewey toys and treats, ... anything anyone could suggest, we tried it and it DID NOT work for him.

One day we found a little dalmatian pup who was going to be euthenized if a home couldn't be found for him because he was deaf. And so, of course, our little Scout (aka Scooter) came home with us.

From that moment on, Odie has been a little angel. He helps keep Scout in line, and he NEVER gets separation anxiety. He no longer digs, barks, chews, etc. All of his problems were instantly corrected just by having a friend. Thank goodness!!!!

Anyway, I don't know what is practical for you, but that is my story and I thought I'd share.