Hi, I hope this advice helps. Most of the time Tuffy goes with me, but sometimes it's no dogs allowed.
When I have to leave my dog home I always allow some time to take him for a walk first and let him pee and poop. I have my keys in my pocket and anything I need to take right by the door. When we get back I go in the kitchen and run the water (as if I am washing dishes) to keep him calm. Then he will go to his dish to get a drink of water and settle down. I do this to be sure he is hydrated, because he gets thirsty when we walk but does not want to drink until we get home. I go straight to the door and tell him "wait here, or I'll be back". And then I go out the door. When he was younger (he is now 2 yrs. old) he would bark and screech for a while, and now sometimes he sits and stares at the door to see if I am coming right back in. He might give a bark or two and then quiets down. Even when I take him with me, we do the pee poop walk before getting into the car.
It is written, and I like to believe, that dogs sleep most of the time when you are away. As with all training, it is really important to be consistent and let them know what is expected of them. They always aim to please (no pun intended;-)
hugs from Tuffy and Iris
