chow behaviour

Question
Hi there
I have a 7 year old female chow.  I got her 5 months ago from a shelter after having lived with a family for her entire life.  She is very sweet and we bonded immediately but I have 2 problems.  First of all, I live in an apartment and she runs to the door to bark at every person she hears walking by (my neighbours are not thrilled). Secondly, she chews on my lock or door frame and barks wildly whenever she is left alone (like when I leave for work!).  I know living in a house would be easier but it's not possible for now.  We live alone together and she barks a lot whenever a male comes to visit me.  She likes to follow me around the apartment and keep her eye on me.  She is very healthy, by the way.  I have tried "rescue remedy" herbal drops and a plug-in room diffuser (with "dog-appeasing pheremones") and neither helped.  Also, the normal dose of clomicalm didn't help. Do you think it is possible that we will be able to change these behaviours?
Thanks.

Answer
Cynthia, these things are a result of seperation anxiety.  She is probably afraid you are going to leave her like her family did.  I would suggest if you can afford to, hire a trainer.  They really do work wonders.  One thing you can attempt is to do exercises with her when you are home.  Walk out of your home for 5 mins and then walk back in.  Do this several times a day to show her you will always come home.  In about a week, increase the time to 10 mins and etc.  As for the things she is chewing on.  Get some dial dish detergent.  When you leave, rub it on the places she is chewing on.  Although this will leave a bitter taste in her mouth and make her not want to do it anymore, it won't hurt her at all.  It's no toxic.  Just leave plenty of water out.  If all else fails on the barking, try purchaseing a bark collar.  You can get them from Wal Mart.  There are a few different kinds.  Please let me know if you need further help.  Good luck and great job on rescueing a shelter baby.