A trainer's POV: Teach your dog the "Long Stay." Start outdoors. Start at 15 feet and 30 seconds. Gradually increase time and distance. Above one minue, be sure your dog is in the "down stay" position and in the shade. Over a month or two, work up to thirty feet and ten minutes. The "Long Stay" is the most significant method to overcome separation/abandonment fear. You always call him/her to come back to you when time's up. Transfer the training to indoors. Here it's important NOT to let your dog follow you around the house. You're watching TV and go to the kitchen to get a Coke. You're gone 30 seconds. Your dog must stay where he/she was. This kind of training is not simply behavioral -- it's emotional and attitudinal. Eliminating the "neurotic" behavior with the dicipline of "Stay" gives the dog time to realize and emotionally adjust to the fact that you always come back. The "Long Stay" is a tremendous confidence builder with virtually all dogs.