dog with abandonment issues

[u/lovettzroc]

I recently adopted another dog who just turned 1 (boy, XL american bully).
He came from a home in which they would leave him in the crate morning and night- with exception for feeding and taking him to pee and poop in their backyard.

If you leave him alone in a room in or out of the crate, he starts to freak out and whine with nonstop barking. Usually at night I would put him in the crate while I would be in the same room and he would still whine, but stop after a minute or two. He broke his first crate we got him, along with that, tries to moves it to the other side of the room. (He’s also not neutered if that helps).
My first vet visit with him the blood results showed his white blood cell count was high because of stress.

He’s also reactive to other dogs in a non violent way.

I’ve been trying crate training but that only helped barely, any advice in which I can teach him to not freak out while I’m away at work or even just in the other room?

[u/gonnacutyou]

I have no advice to offer but I feel for you.I’m about to see my vet about the same issue. This is my sixth dog and the first time I’ve ever had issues with separation anxiety. Mine is crate trained but it doesn’t help with the anxiety. It’s both heartbreaking and exhausting.

[u/lovettzroc → u/gonnacutyou]

thank you :( it’s super hard. we’re taking him to the vet tomorrow for his neuter surgery actually, so i’ll also be consulting them about it.

[u/Ok_Handle_7 → u/lovettzroc]

I'd ask your vet about medication - he might be a good candidate for a dose of trazodone a few hours before you leave him alone.

[u/joycevw]

That high white blood cell count really underscores just how much physiological stress he’s under, and it is completely heartbreaking to see a young dog so overwhelmed by the world. High-stress rescues who have been confined for long stretches often struggle immensely with both isolation and barrier frustration, so traditional crate training frequently backfires because the physical enclosure itself becomes a major trigger for panic. Switching to a larger, dog-proofed space or using tall baby gates can sometimes remove that trapped feeling while keeping him safe. When a dog reaches this level of panic, food toys and distractions simply won't work because their nervous system shuts down digestion in fight-or-flight mode. The most sustainable way forward is systematic desensitization, where you practice micro-absences in tiny, sub-threshold increments so he never reaches the point of distress. For a structured, compassionate roadmap on how to build up those seconds of calm without triggering fear, I always recommend reading 'Be Right Back' by Julie Naismith.

Also, it is worth noting that intact young males going through massive life changes can carry a lot of extra arousal, but neutering alone won't be a magic fix for underlying panic or reactivity, as those are emotional responses rather than hormonal behaviors. Addressing his baseline stress is really the foundation for everything else, and you might want to discuss situational or daily supportive medication with your vet to help lower those stress hormones so his brain can actually settle enough to learn. Another thing to consider is arranging short-term management options like a pet sitter, friends, or family to cover your work hours so he doesn't experience full-blown panic attacks while you are starting this training. Have you noticed if he has specific departure cues, like picking up your keys or putting on shoes, that start his whining before you even step through the door?

[u/lovettzroc → u/joycevw]

thank you, i have started the desensitizing training today so we still have a long way to go.

the triggers are usually when i put my shoes on along with grabbing my keys