Short, often, and always a win
Three 5-minute sessions a day build a dog faster than one long weekend drill.
- Short and often beats long and rare — a few minutes, several times a day.
- Reward fast: mark the instant your dog is right, then deliver within a second.
- Raise one variable at a time — duration, distance, or distraction. Never all three.
- End on a win. Stop while your dog is still succeeding and wanting more.
- Be boring-consistent: same cue, same reward, every single rep.
Foundations — Week 1
Levels hold steady this week — progression unlocks from your logged results, not the calendar.
Day 1Today3 sess · ~15 min
Morning — Focus & Foundations
Focus (Watch Me)Lvl 1 · Capture
SitLvl 1 · Lure
Recall (Come)Lvl 1 · Charge the cue
Midday — Walk & Impulse
Loose-Leash WalkingLvl 1 · Find the side
Leave ItLvl 1 · Closed fist
Evening — Settle
Place / MatLvl 1 · Onto the mat
DownLvl 1 · Lure
Day 23 sess · ~15 min
Morning — Focus & Foundations
- Focus (Watch Me)Lvl 1 · Capture
- SitLvl 1 · Lure
- Recall (Come)Lvl 1 · Charge the cue
Midday — Walk & Impulse
- Loose-Leash WalkingLvl 1 · Find the side
- Leave ItLvl 1 · Closed fist
Evening — Settle
- Place / MatLvl 1 · Onto the mat
- DownLvl 1 · Lure
Day 33 sess · ~15 min
Morning — Focus & Foundations
- Focus (Watch Me)Lvl 1 · Capture
- SitLvl 1 · Lure
- Recall (Come)Lvl 1 · Charge the cue
Midday — Walk & Impulse
- Loose-Leash WalkingLvl 1 · Find the side
- Leave ItLvl 1 · Closed fist
Evening — Settle
- Place / MatLvl 1 · Onto the mat
- DownLvl 1 · Lure
Day 43 sess · ~15 min
Morning — Focus & Foundations
- Focus (Watch Me)Lvl 1 · Capture
- SitLvl 1 · Lure
- Recall (Come)Lvl 1 · Charge the cue
Midday — Walk & Impulse
- Loose-Leash WalkingLvl 1 · Find the side
- Leave ItLvl 1 · Closed fist
Evening — Settle
- Place / MatLvl 1 · Onto the mat
- DownLvl 1 · Lure
Day 53 sess · ~15 min
Morning — Focus & Foundations
- Focus (Watch Me)Lvl 1 · Capture
- SitLvl 1 · Lure
- Recall (Come)Lvl 1 · Charge the cue
Midday — Walk & Impulse
- Loose-Leash WalkingLvl 1 · Find the side
- Leave ItLvl 1 · Closed fist
Evening — Settle
- Place / MatLvl 1 · Onto the mat
- DownLvl 1 · Lure
Day 63 sess · ~15 min
Morning — Focus & Foundations
- Focus (Watch Me)Lvl 1 · Capture
- SitLvl 1 · Lure
- Recall (Come)Lvl 1 · Charge the cue
Midday — Walk & Impulse
- Loose-Leash WalkingLvl 1 · Find the side
- Leave ItLvl 1 · Closed fist
Evening — Settle
- Place / MatLvl 1 · Onto the mat
- DownLvl 1 · Lure
Day 73 sess · ~15 min
Morning — Focus & Foundations
- Focus (Watch Me)Lvl 1 · Capture
- SitLvl 1 · Lure
- Recall (Come)Lvl 1 · Charge the cue
Midday — Walk & Impulse
- Loose-Leash WalkingLvl 1 · Find the side
- Leave ItLvl 1 · Closed fist
Evening — Settle
- Place / MatLvl 1 · Onto the mat
- DownLvl 1 · Lure
Foundation
Obedience
Leash
Manners
Impulse control
EnrichmentFoundationEye contact on cue — the foundation under every other skill.
ObedienceThe default calm position you can ask for anywhere.
ObedienceFold into a down on cue — the start of calm.
Impulse controlHold position until released — patience under control.
ObedienceCome when called — the life-saver cue. Always a party.
LeashWalk on a slack leash without pulling.
MannersGo to a mat and settle — an off-switch for the house.
Impulse controlDisengage from temptation on cue.
MannersThe crate as a calm, happy den — not a punishment.
EnrichmentCalm acceptance of grooming and vet handling.