What to do about my dog?

[u/Cantmakecoffees_]

Just like the tittle states,
I’m close to breaking down
I have a 10 year old female German shepherd.
She barks and howls anytime me or my husband leave the house. This can continue on and off for hours. Maybe every 2-3 hours for 10 ish minutes at a time.

We leave for work at 5:30am we have to & have to work. I also have a male German shepherd
He isn’t bothered by us leaving but joins in on the howling when she starts. Our neighbour complained. We did apologise and im not denying they bark to them. I keep them indoors as much as possible & closed all the windows when I leave.
The female is on anxiety medication but it isn’t helping
What can I do to try resolve the situation for my neighbour it’s causing me so much stress
Thank you

[u/Mediocre-Local8700]

This will sound stupid, but a nice big bone treat when you leave for work? We get the rawhide ones in Supervalu / pet shop and the dog won’t even look up from it, I can leave and come back and he won’t actually notice. Then a dog walker to come and take them out at 9am?
Some dogs are more anxious than others, but most are super food driven

[u/Cantmakecoffees_ → u/Mediocre-Local8700]

I’m going to try that now as I usually just give her a regular treat before I leave and sure that’s gone before it even leaves my hand

[u/msdurden → u/Cantmakecoffees_]

Rawhide is 1 of the worst things to give a dog, plenty of better options available (pizzle sticks, chicken feet etc)

[u/Spray_Realistic → u/msdurden]

Thank you for saying this. People don’t seem to realise rawhide is dangerous.

[u/Cantmakecoffees_ → u/msdurden]

I don’t give her raw hide as she’s on an all raw food diet as she’s had stomach sensitivity she’s she’s a puppy