Imagine a puppy who has left everything they know, arriving at your home. You shower your puppy with lots of attention. You become the centre of their world. Then.......you leave the puppy alone. This can be incredibly stressful. The contrast between when you are home and when you are away from the house is extreme and overwhelming. The same applies to a newly adopted dog who is in an entirely new environment and just beginning the process of decompression. Learning that your presence doesn't mean your puppy or newly adopted dog always has access to you is an important life skill.

PDMA will help your canine friend gradually gain confidence being alone. We begin teaching this by being present, while using some form of containment so that your pup doesn't physically have access to you. It is also a step toward PREVENTING separation anxiety (SA). For dogs who already have SA, this is also an important component of SA training -- gently learning it's ok to be separated from you.

Take your time with this training. Move at your puppy/dog's pace, only moving ahead when they clearly show you they are comfortable at the current level. Then move six inches from your pup. Repeat this process until your pup can be in the same room with you and remain calm while in some form of containment.

Finally, remove visual access to you by leaving the room, at first for seconds at a time. Make your exit and entry NON-EVENTS. This will help your pup learn that you leaving or exiting isn't important; it's nothing to worry about.