How to help my Foster dog

[TootHole]

We've taken in an abused dog, for fostering. There's a lot of issues, that's fine, we knew there would be.

The main one that is challenging, is the separation anxiety. The minute you go out, he runs around constantly barking. He also jumps the baby gate and there's no option to get a bigger one or put him elsewhere as he's a little destructive.

The behaviourist at the rescue doesn't bother to respond, so is useless. I've got some calms to try, and will keep trying with the training. Any tips anyone can offer will be appreciated.

So sorry you’ve been through this OP but you’re doing the right thing for the dog.

Any sensible compassionate responsible organisation would have mercy on an animal experiencing this level of constant terror, and stop foisting him on unsupported, well-meaning people.
Unresolvable physical pain is an indication for a peaceful end and so is extreme ongoing mental anguish.

I've just dropped him back and I'm so upset.
I feel like I've let him down and I'm really worried for his future

Oh you really really haven’t. His future will be much better and brighter if the rescue can find someone who doesn’t have to leave him at all. Separation anxiety can be solved but not if you have to keep leaving the dog. You’ve completely done the right thing OP.

Completely echo this.
You have 100% done the right thing for the dog

I'm sure you are all right, but I just can't help feeling that I should have tried harder, or given more time (he wasn't with us long).

I'm also frustrated at the rescue, as it appears they were aware of his SA. I'm an experienced dog owner, lots of dealings with behaviour, full on dog aggression etc, but at no point would any of that stopped me WFH like this little boy would.

Just generally feeling down today, keep thinking about him

Bless you. The thing is that if you had no choice but to leave him then waiting longer before handing him back would simply have meant more time he would be terrified at being left. You really really can’t leave a dog with separation anxiety without causing success. You have so done the right thing.