Separation Anxiety

The child is misbehaving. And by child I mean the boy dog that currently resides with us.

I came home last night to find a mess in the living room - he escaped his quarantined area by pounding down one of the safety gates and then proceeded to destroy what smelt the most like me.
In this case it was the cross stitch I am currently doing. He ripped a hole in the case I keep it in, pulled out everything from that little hole (he hasnt figured out zippers yet), tore up the pattern and even chewed to bits the wooden hoop I use.

I was nearly in tears - his saving grace from not being kept outside for the night were three things. I have a photocopy of the pattern, you're not meant to punish dogs after the fact as it causes MORE behavioural problems and the cross-stitch was untouched.
If the material and months of stitching had been ruined I would have been distraught.

The term for this behaviour is called "Separation Anxiety". Being pack animals, dogs have to be around their pack otherwise they feel abandoned. Symptoms include whining, crying, barking, scratching at doors and destructive behaviour.

I've brought safety gates and I dutifully put them up every morning before I leave, restricting him to a puppy-proofed area. I leave him toys and treats and things to do - but he seems to enjoy destroying things far more.
I went out and spent my Pets Paradise voucher on some new "ammo" today and I hope & pray that this might help.

Because if it doesnt, the dog is going to spend winter outside in the cold.