What is the best way to deal with my dog’s sudden separation anxiety?

My family has two adult dogs, ages 8 and 10. They are both well trained, spend the majority of the time outside in the backyard, and prior to the past month neither have ever exhibited any separation anxiety. The older dog has rather suddenly begun displaying extreme separation anxiety, especially at night. She has become very destructive; the only effective way of keeping her away from anything she could destroy at night is putting her on a long lead in the backyard (in reach of dog house and water). Within minutes of being put on the lead she starts whining/barking continuously; my father is a firm believer in whacking with a rolled-up newspaper when she does this but I’m very aware this is a cruel and extremely ineffective method of correction. Any advice on how to deal with this situation would be very much appreciated.

I have never understood why people have dogs and keep them tied up outside. Your father needs to stop the physical punishment it will only make things worse. Are you sure its separation anxiety and not plain boredom. I suspect these dogs do not get a lot of exercise or socialisation or stimulation

Anxiety in Older Adults.wmv

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