Separation anxiety?

Question
We just adopted an unfixed 6 year old sheperd from a co-workers friends mom whom died last week from MS. They were very attached apparently. He slept with her in her bed, things like that. He is showing signs of separation anxiety I think. Soiling the house at night( we close our door as we don't want him sleeping with us)Follows us from room to room, paces in the kennel outside for long periods of time. We have a fixed female shepherd that is 2 1/2 that we have had since a puppy. I thought that they would be playmates, and his transition from his old family to ours would be easier, but it's stressing him. He doesn't play with her or us for that matter.How can we help him reduce his and our stress? And to keep him from soiling the house? I even have been bringing him outside at night at 10, 3am and 6am to relieve himself.Any help would be greatly appreciated. Dawn

Answer
Shepherds commonly bond quite strongly with their owners, and at 6 years old will not be quick to accept a new one.  He is also old enough to not have as much interest in the play like younger dogs.

You will need to give him plenty of attention, walks, belly rubs, butt rubs, brushing, etc.  It will be weeks before it begins to make much difference.  In the mean time, a crate might stop the house soiling.  I am a little hesitant to say spend $80 on something that he may not accept at his age.  The dog may be happier in its den than loose in the house.  It relaxes, it feels safe in its den.  It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving its self.  Dogs that have been crated all along do very well.  Many of them will rest in their crates even when the door is open.  I think the plastic ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling.  Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with something the dog can't pull in and chew.  Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys.  Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter.  Don't leave
anything in the crate the dog might chew up.  It will do fine without even any
bedding.  You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, may take some work.
Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate.  Praise it for going
in.  Feed it in the crate.  This is also an easy way to maintain order at
feeding time for more than one dog.

You may want to talk to the vet.  I seldom suggest drugs, but this may be the rare case to help him temporarily.