barks when left alone

Question
dear carol,
we have a neutered female 2 1/2 yo parson russell and live in an apartment in a big city (paris france).  i'm afraid i have "created a monster" b/c i was not successful in training her to stay in the crate as a puppy.  she barked and cried and i didn't want neighbors complaining so i took her with me everywhere.  (dogs are more welcome than children any where in france.)  lily is not left alone very much b/c we work at home and she is probably "spoiled."  we give her lots of attention and take her to the park to run and play chase a lot.  recently we have had to leave her at hoe alone for more than several hours at a time and she is barking and or crying or howling incessantly according to our french neighbors.  i hate to come home and find a note so have taken to trying doggy sedatives sold in the pharmacy made of herbs such as passiflore and valerian root.  i am reluctant to do this on a regular basis and know that collar sprays and remote alarms do not work.  is there another behavioral method i can try at her age?  thanks for your help.

Answer
Dear Elizabeth,
Please forgive me for taking so long to answer - it's been hectic here over the Christmas holiday.

Barking is a very hard thing to train NOT to do.
It sounds like you've exhausted all of my suggestions (like the spray collar).  The only other thing I can suggest is that you have someone come in and take her out while you are away for extended periods of time. Also,
do they sell KONGS in Paris?? They are a great way for dogs to pass the time while you are away. It's a rubber "toy" that you stuff to capacity with food and/or treats for her to try to get out. Put something delicious in there like cream cheese or peanut butter mixed in with some kibble or treats of some sort. Pack it solid and make the treat inside hard to get. I've seen dogs work on a Kong for 3 hours!  If you can't get a Kong - you can improvise by getting a hollow bone and doing the same thing.
It sounds like you are giving Lily a wonderful life!
Good luck with everything!
Carol