Perhaps a larger rug in the area where your dogs waits? Get a rubberized pad that is safe
on wood floors so it doesn’t move.
My friend always left on old windbreaker of her
husbands near the door so her dog could feel
secure...this only when they left her alone.

There are several things you can try for your dog; not sure what you have tried. Activities to tire her out before you leave and build her confidence (like nosework); activities to use while you are gone (stuffed Kongs, food puzzles, bully sticks); crate training unless she was a rescue (I know this is far more challenging)— then use “place” training; calming music (free on YouTube); practicing short trips out of the house with no reaction when you come or go; calming pheromones; and help from a vet behaviorist who might provide medication (mental issues can be an illness like any other and should be treated as such).

sorry wrote this from my phone since that's where the photos were--hence the no spacing and word vomit. will email myself photos next time to write a clearer post. I also thought I could edit the post once posted from my phone, but I wasn't able to.

The dog has serious separation anxiety plus OCD (Who knew that's dogs can have that?? not me, until a few months ago!) We have been working with an animal behaviorist who has her on quite a few meds, trainers and vets for quite awhile. While some areas have improved, us leaving is still and will likely continue to be an issue. Thankfully she is not destructive to anything--with the exception of scratching the floor from running and jumping around in that area when we leave.

@anele_gw--thanks for the ideas! We do a lot of nose work and 'place' commands with long lasting treats when we leave..but as soon as she notices we left she freaks out. Crate training is not an option. She will get in a crate to nap, with an open door, but total panic (to the point of defecation) as soon as it closes, and yes she was a rescue.

@RM we currently have a rubber mat under the small rug, she flips it daily in the meltdowns, but I do think a longer runner would reduce this activity considerably simply because of the size of it.

My main concern is getting something that is aesthetically pleasing (while protecting the floor) since its in a main entry area of the house. Any suggestions on something that complements the other rugs in the area since they can all be seen from each other?

You’ve probably already tried this, but would she use a snuffle mat? You could put it right by the door as you leave so her activity is a rug. But I know some dogs don’t eat alone and if she’s over her threshold then she won’t. It would be important to use it not only when you are gone so she doesn’t associate it with you leaving.

Does she have crate anxiety even when you are home?

@anele_gw we actually haven't tried a snuffle mat- just looked it up and it looks like something we should try! she is very food driven! only concern is that sometimes if we give small treats and leave, she inhales and gets choked on them trying to bark. so we would have to test it out.

Crate anxiety happens even when we are home unless I'm sitting just outside the crate soothing her--we have played endless crate games and training methods. its exhausting, but we love her! I've mostly given up on it unless we absolutely have to close her in it- for example if we have a worker coming in the house, in which case give her a sedative ahead of time, but she can't/we wont give those regularly.

How big is the rubber mat? I think, for now, I’d get the heaviest mat you can find. Since she already has anxiety and now moving into a new house... it’s a lot to get used to, I’d try to protect the floor without worrying about how it looks IF you think that will help.

I wouldn’t bother with the crate training anymore, either. It just doesn’t work for some dogs. But, have you tried an expen?

Have you already tried a Thundershirt? Will she work on a frozen stuffed Kong when you are gone?

anele_gw-- the rubber grip mat is the same size (maybe 1/2inch smaller on all sides) of the jute rug on top of it. This has been a similar issue in other homes too, its just exacerbated by DARK hardwoods that show every dang thing, plus the anxiety of the move.

Shes a jumper/climber too, so expen is a no go. As a pup I had a very tall (40 inch) baby gate that I contained her with when I left. She learned how to climb/jump it around 4/5 months... can you tell she's high maintenance or something?

Tried a thundershirt. she ate through it. On top of her paxil and herbal supplements, we use adaptil collars and plug in's around the house, have her "safe spaces", etc...she loves Kongs! but still has a meltdown, then returns to the kong when she remembers it.

I really don't see it being a short term thing based on how she reacted in previous living situations and how long we have worked with trainers on it. (shes 5) Based on our security cams she calms within 5-10 min of us leaving, so that I can handle at least. I work hard to keep her nails trimmed/drimmel'ed. I even tried those dumb rubber claw caps to keep her from damaging the floors. Couldn't keep them on her.

I do think a runner that spans the whole length of that hall may be the best long term solution, with a heavy rubber gripper underneath. I did find a rug "tape" product that is supposed to be safe for hardwoods, but I really don't trust that it won't eat the finish and/or just be a fur/dirt collector.

I feel your pain. There are just some things that I have accepted, living with dogs. Doesn't mean I am happy about them but accepted. My puppy jumped on the wall today and instantly scratched it. This was the first time he did that (so random) and I couldn't prevent it. This is just one of many things, and I wouldn't even say my dogs are destructive. They are just... big. And now we have 2 of them. We have med-dark hardwood, too. Not my choice, but looked best with the trim and was the only color that would hide the stain from a dog that lived here before we ever did.

Sounds like your runner idea may be the best. I think my husband used the tape product in our last house and it was OK for the wood, but no guarantees. If your dog isn't strong enough to take it up, may be worth a try.

@anele-gw oh what we do for pups! thanks for the heads up on the tape. I will try it out.