When practicing de-escalation of departure cues, what is the goal of performing actions like picking up keys without leaving?

Answer

To remove the significance of these objects as predictors of solitude.

The aim of this desensitization protocol is to blur the environmental cues associated with departure so that the dog no longer views those actions as definite predictors of being left alone.

When practicing de-escalation of departure cues, what is the goal of performing actions like picking up keys without leaving?
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