What is the critical purpose of decoupling your departure cues for a Peekapoo?
To prevent the dog from associating routine actions with immediate departure and subsequent panic
Decoupling departure cues is a preventative training technique designed to break the chain reaction of stress that begins before the owner physically leaves. Dogs with separation anxiety often begin to panic as soon as they observe preparatory actions, such as picking up keys, putting on a coat, or lacing shoes. By practicing these actions randomly—picking up keys, sitting down to read, and then putting keys away—the owner prevents the dog from learning that the cue (the keys) reliably predicts abandonment. This practice renders the departure routine unremarkable, thereby reducing the anticipation of distress associated with the owner's actual exit.
