Things You'll Need:
- patience
- some mental flexibility and creativeness
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Step 1
Probably the most important step, hence my putting it first: Change around your current morning routine! In other words, if you always brush your teeth right before you leave the house, brush them a little sooner. If you put your makeup on right before leaving, do that sooner. Just change it up a little bit to "confuse" your dog. He'll soon realize that no certain activity occurs right before you leave and, therefore, will stop associating such activities.
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Step 2
Put your house/car keys in your pocket long before you leave, somewhere in the middle of your morning routine. That way you're not picking them up when you're about to walk out the door. Dogs definitely know you're leaving when your keys jingle! Then take them out after your door is closed so you can lock up, of course.
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Step 3
Keep your dog busy as you make your way out the door. I put him in the bedroom and close the door while I hide a few little treats around the apartment. He's busy hunting for them as I make my quiet escape.
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Step 4
Practice this a few times when you're not actually going anywhere. Step out the door, close it, and stay there. Wait for the dog to bark. When he does, yell, "NO!" through the door but don't go back in yet. Go back in when he stops barking. Keep doing this on different days. Soon he won't bark immediately when you leave. Stay outside for a few minutes again, come back in and don't acknowledge the dog at all, even if he's jumping all over you. Wait until he calms down.
