Putting your shoes on or getting the car keys are a sure sign for your dog that you’re about to do the thing they dread the most - vanish out the door. An effective way to keep them calm is to send mixed signals about what these cues mean. For example you can put your shoes on but not leave, get your keys but stay at home or open the door but not go out. This way, your dog won’t start panicking just because you’re heading towards the entrance door or because they hear you jingling the keys.