Howling when left alone - what can I do?

[Claire_H]

I've got two Cockers, Peggy who's 4 and Honey who's 2.  My problem is that Honey has separation anxiety problems and this is rubbing off on Peggy.

Peggy has always been a bit upset if I should leave the house without her.  She started squeezing through the cat flap in an effort to try and find me. But now we've sorted that out (by locking the cat flap, when I leave) she's fine, she'll snuggle up in her basket and wait quietly for me to return.

Since having Honey, things have changed.  Honey hates me leaving the house and starts howling after a few minutes.  I work from home so they are never left for long, a trip to the shop, taking my children into town that sort of thing.  If I know I'm going to be away for an hour or longer I make sure they've both had a long walk before I leave and both have a chew or something to keep them occupied whilst I'm gone. 

It seems once the chew's been finished, the howling will start, first from Honey which sets Peggy off!  The other night I left them both for 20 minutes whilst I went to pick up my daughter from town.  On my return I was met with my Father (who lives 3 doors away) who'd come to get them and take them to his house until I came back because they were making so much noise.

Any ideas?  Thanks

[Clare B]

My Flo has been the same and I also work from home and also just nip out for school pck up, errands etc.  What I have done (inadvertently) is pick up my keys, grab my bag and then heard an email come through and gone back to my desk to check, then picked up my keys , grabbed my bag and then remembered I have a load if washing to hang out etc..etc
Also gone out the door with keys and bag, driven down the road and realized I've forgotten something, had to go back to the house.  Anyway without realizing it I have put a stop to the howling, because I'm so unreliable in my actions that Flo can't work out if I'm really going or really gone.  I have since read on COL that these actions are a way of helping your dog get through the separation anxiety.  More experienced Colers will no doubt give you more complete explanations on how to work on the SA.

[Claire_H]

Thanks Clare, will keep popping out and leaving it a little longer each time and see what happens!