ellenm

I agree to start as if he is a pup. He HAS to eventually learn to be confined indoors in a very large crate, safe dog-proofed room, or outdoors in an outside run of some kind(where he could dig and dig and you would not care). The leash idea is great. He can't be leaping on furniture if is attached to one of you. Can you baby gate him out of that area? My guys are gated in my large kitchen and not in the family room with us all the time. I did have to buy childproof locks for my smartest girl...she opened cabinets and helped herself to lots of treats one day.

My rescue boy would destroy everything if I turned my back on him just to grab a load of laundry. I could not crate him him for over a year because he was panic stricken in the crate. I had to use a large bathroom with a window as a dogproofed room for him so I could confine him somewhere that was safe when we left home. ( As it was he tore the towel rack off the wall because he wanted to sleep on one of my towels!) He had classic separation anxiety but he did settle down and get over it....now he is a reliable house dog I can leave loose for hours.

I think you should get with a retraining program so you can leave him somewhere that is safe, and it sounds like he can't even have a bed or bedding to start with. Give him kongs filled with food or some yummy bone. Ignore the whines and be prepared for some destruction at first. It may take a good week or more on this...your husband may have to wear earplugs? Create a dog area of your yard where you don't care about digging.

I guess I'm saying pick your battles and start with one at a time. Good luck!