seperation anxiety problem

[Formula86]

well, as you all know, i gate the dogs in the kitchen when i leave cause chaquita gets all freaked out when i'm gone and eats the carpet.
well, the gate is made of wood and has plastic-coated wire mesh (pretty thick). it works through a pressure system - there are rubber stoppers on either side and they put pressure on the door frame.
anyways, she chews on the gate because she gets herself all worked up and the gate is becoming weak and warped. there are always big wood chunks gone and she is warping the wires. when she does this sometimes one of the bottom corners becomes loose and she has access to the carpet that is in the dining room (right off the kitchen) and she chews it up. i don't care about the material things, i'm more worried about her anxiety. i don't want to put her on meds (never will) and would like to know if anyone has any methods that they could suggest to calm her down when i'm gone. anything will be helpful! thanks guys!

[RSbunny]

These are a few things that I have learnt along the way.
1. Take the toys off her when you are at home...she has you she doesn't need the toys. Then when you are going give her all her toys including a frozen peanut buttered kong and leave without saying a word to her. This way she won't get all worked up. It's hard to not say goodbye but it really is better for the dog.
2. When you get home don't run and fuss to her straight away. Wait until she has calmed down (so if she is jumpy or she whines wait until she has stopped) then go and let her out and greet her. This is teaching her that quiet behaviour gets rewarded and that you leaving and coming back is no big deal.
3. Put all the things in your car 5 minutes before you leave the house. Then you'll be back straight away and she'll stop associating things like your handbag with you leaving and won't start panicking as soon as she sees with you it.
4. Put some nice hot chilli sauce on the gate...make sure she has plenty of water but this should help her stop chewing on the gate!
5. When you are at home practice leaving her for five minutes at a time. She needs to learn that you aren't always gone for hours. Give her toys and treats when you are leaving even when it isn't for long. You want her to associate you leaving with her getting to have a party!!
6. Practice locking her in the kitchen when you are home but you are busy....like when you are studying etc. Give her her toys then too....make her more independent so she doesn't have to cling to you when you are home...it will teach her that you leaving is not such a bad thing. This doesn't mean you can't love and devote her!! But if you are trying to do something and she is hanging around and annoying you put her in the kitchen or even if she is ignoring you let her ignore you in the kitchen. This way she won't associate the gate with you leaving either....it will become like her room and you might find that after a while she'll go and sit in there herself.
That's all I can think of right now but they should help!

[Formula86]

i have been doing some of these things (#'s 2 and 5).
i have been wanting to do the hot sauce thing!! (you don't think she'll like it do you? she is half chihuahua...hahahaha! i crack myself up). i will try that cause the bitter apple isn't working. i give them toys and filled up kongs...but no matter what cool thing is in the kong, she won't mess with it. she eats it as soon as i get home cause she loves em. i leave toys out for the dogs cause they play with them with each other, but i'll try and put toys in the kitchen that haven't been laying around all day.
thanks carmen!!!!!!!!!