How can I get my dog to stop barking (due to separation anxiety)?

Sorry you didn't like or understand my answer. There is no quick fix, and you are using the wrong method.

You don't teach a dog by leaving it. You teach the dog by getting it to settle while you are there, and then gradually moving it away. It is a gradual process of habituation. The method you are using is called 'flooding'; and it has been widely discredited.

While training for seperation anxiety, you cannot leave the dog. So you can't go out to work and retrain at the same time.

It's a slow process involving 3 steps; First, teach him to lie on a bed in the same room. Second; teach him to be ignored for short periods of time. Third; leave him for short periods.

Step one;

Put a bed near your feet when you relax in the evening make him lie in the bed. Settle him with a chew and give him a command to settle in bed.

Over the next few weeks gradually inch the bed away until it is at the other end of the room.

When you are in other rooms use a mat for the same purpose. Don't let him sit on your feet. Its fine if he has to be able to see you.

Step Two;

Buy a big ugly brass ornament or something similar thats chew proof. Charity shops and car boot sales are ideal for this. Keep it hidden in a handy cupboard. Now give him the command to settle and a chew. Get out the ornament and place it in front of his bed. And ignore him. Do this for 30 seconds. Don't even look at him; he is invisible. There is no dog in the room. If he gets up and moves around, ignore him.

Now put the ornament away and notice him again. Repeat frequently, for times ranging from 20 seconds to 2 minutes.

Over 2 weeks increase the length of time from 20 seconds to 5 or 10 minutes. Start to stand up and sit down, but don't leave him.

Gradually work on increasing the time and then start to walk to the door of the room.

Step 3;

Start to leave him. Put the ornament out of sight for now. Start by walking out the room when he is settled in bed then walk straight back in again. Walk to the front door and back.

Gradually build up to putting your coat on and opening the front door.

Eventually you should be able to step out the door and turn around and come straight back in without him panicking.

When you reach that point, leave the ornament out and continue the process.

When you go out totally, make sure he has had a good 40 minute walk first. Leave him with the radio on and a chewstick. Use a child safety gate to confine him to the kitchen. Don't make a big fuss when you leave, and be a bit cool when you return.

Just calmly put him on the lead and take him straight to his toilet.

Give it a few weeks and he should turn around.

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Find what motivates your dog. Some dogs do anything for food. Some dogs do anything for Toys. Some do anything for a good petting. Some do anything for only one type of food, like cheese, or hotdog. Some only have interest in training for 5 minutes at a time, and others can go for an hour. Figure out what your dog is willing to work for, and then work with her in sessions that are no longer than she can tolerate. Learn how to train your dog properly http://onlinedogtraining.enle.info/?yt3h

Sign up for a dog obedience training class. It will not train your dog. It will give you training on how you can train your dog. Most people understand the idea of training, but there is a right and a wrong way to do it, and there is good and bad technique. Timing and consistency is very important, and it helps to have feedback of someone watching you who can help you improve your technique to get more efficient results with your dog.

However, she may be somewhat anxious around other dogs, sort of like the shy kid on the playground. She will benefit from continuing what you are doing as far as asking her to sit before entering, but there are more things along those lines that will help her to calmly go in and out of the dog park. She may also benefit from going in short bursts, or only when fewer dogs are present, or avoiding times when other dogs that make her nervous are present. Maybe she just plays loud - my brother's dog is this way - or maybe she is a dogpark bully - sorry it is possible. But more likely she is just a little anxious around new dogs and she wants to play but just doesn't quite know how to do that and still feel comfortable. Don't be surprised if your dog does not actually like the dog park, and maybe she would get more enjoyment and less stress out of simply going for a good walk somewhere else.

A wagging tail does not mean that your dog is happy or even comfortable with the situation. It means your dog is emotionally aroused. This could be a happy arousal, or it could be a nervous arousal, or it could be an aggressive arousal. Go youtube it, there are plenty of videos of 'vicious' dogs who are throwing a very aggressive fit of barking and snarling while their tail is wagging vigorously. Even police dogs who are not let off the leash to chase down a suspect can be lunging and barking and snarling, and their tails are still going.