dealing with my dog's separation anxiety

so i recently discovered my dog, max, has developed some separation anxiety. every time i leave the house, even just for a few minutes, he starts whining and scratching at the door. it breaks my heart to see him so upset 😢 in my quest to help him, i've tried leaving him with a piece of my clothing and some of his favorite toys, but it doesn't seem to be enough. i've read about using calming sprays or hiring a dog walker to break up the day, but i'm curious if anyone has had success with other methods? has anyone else dealt with this? what worked for you and your furry friend? also, any funny stories of what your dog does when you're not around are welcome too! let's share and help each other out 🐾