u/Deadpan_1

I have a 4 month old cocker spaniel, we've had her since she was 2 months old. I have been trying to get her used to being alone more as I am planning on going back to work, but she panics the second I step out of the room, even if somebody else is still with her. I can't even go in the bathroom by myself without her howling and trying to dig through the door to get to me. I read that the time apart needs to be built up and it's best to reenter the room before she gets stressed, but she becomes stressed the second the door closes. She howls and barks and whines and paces around. I read that even if you just shut the door for one second and then open it you can build up from there, but THE SECOND I shut the door, she starts panicking. A few times I have ignored her and waited to reenter when she is quiet for a few seconds, but she is always sat outside the door waiting for me. How do I help her? I have tried giving her lick mats before stepping out of the room to make the experience more positive, but she abandons them once I start to walk away. I admit I should have started as soon as we brought her home, but she couldn't be trusted even in her crate as she bites at the bars and has on occasion gotten her jaw stuck and I've had to help her as she then starts to panic. I know this is separation anxiety, but there's been so little improvement I feel defeated.