Bad Separation Anxiety

What your describing is not unusual for a rescue - he will get better with time. At the moment he is just a bit worried about losing you. But it is good to try to nip it in the bud early.

It helps if you can find a distraction for him when you leave. They just need to be distracted for a short time when you first leave, after that he will generally settle down and sleep.

Can you hide food around the house or yard for him to look for? My dogs used to throw tantrums when I left the house. Now they can't wait for me to leave so they can get their treasure hunt! In fact, Deska would rather stay home and do a treasure hunt than come out with me any time. You could also leave a really yummy kong or some other extra yummy chew treat (start with high value foods to begin with).

Patricia McConnel has a booklet called I'll be home soon - How to prevent and treat seperation anxiety that is worth having a look at

Also, Max is an adolescent and they often go through another chewing phase as they get used to their adult teeth.
 
I second Caro's suggestion. Since he was a pup I would always leave Romeo with a treat (stuffed kong, frozen kong, treats in a treat dispensing toy, pigs ear in a holey toy for him to fish out, dehydrated meat in one of those plush toys with an opening you stuff small plush balls in) just before I step out of the house. I now hide the treat somewhere in the house and send Romeo to "find it" when I leave so he's busy looking for it, then enjoying it and couldn't care less that I'm gone!
 
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