Don’t want to crate - what can I use?

[AlleyRose]

I have a small dog, she’s 8 and perfect.

when she was a puppy she slept in a crate but started to pant when I put her in it at nighttime so I got rid of it and she was happy as Larry for years.

She’s now really anxious again when I go up to bed - think it’s separation anxiety. She literally just wanders round the kitchen all night and is clearly sitting panting as I can see all the drool marks on the floor!

I don’t want to put her in a crate but feel a more enclosed space would make her feel safer? Any ideas as to what I can use? Maybe some kind of barrier that I can block a corner of the room off for her?

I don’t know what to do, she used to love going to bed and now she looks like her little world has fallen apart when she sees me getting ready for bed :(

Thanks @BillieJ
She does get left for longer than that, but not regularly iykwim. She might be left for a couple of hours one day (and be completely fine - doesn’t even move off her bed) then not at all for the next three. Maybe I need to leave her by herself more often rather than one offs, say 30 mins every day. That’s a good shout, thank you.

Can you find a compromise? It sounds like she needs you at night - could you have her on a landing outside your bedroom? Vets aren't always very good at behaviour-related advice - they're not behaviourists - and many dogs don't need a safe, den-like space, unless they're in a busy house with lots of kids - they need company as they're naturally social sleepers. I understand you are allergic and menopause is an absolute arsehole but I do think she probably needs you near her for a little while at least.

This is a great idea. Thank you. I moved her bed a few years ago to accommodate some furniture so I’m going to move it back to where it was. She if she prefers it in the corner. She’ll be nice and warm too with a blanket over it. Hopefully she finds it cosy and safe.

My dog's CCD started at around 8 years old. He had always slept in a crate, but he became very distressed in it at night time. He was very unsettled and panted so much I thought he had urinated on his bedding. He was fine during the day time though and would often go into the crate to sleep.
We started him on Aktivait and that really helped him. He had a good few years of being like his old self, before dementia fully set in.

If she sleeps Ok at your Dad’s, I am wondering if something has changed at your place? Have you had a new boiler, or is there anything else in the kitchen that she may be able to hear at night?
My last dog slept happily in my utility room, but barked in my sister’s when she stayed there. They had a noisy boiler which I think was the problem, as she settled quickly when let out.

The vet recommended Aktivait for my 13 year old dog with dementia six months ago. It's definitely helped, although I know her time is limited.