Do You Have A Training Plan?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Does anyone have an actual written training plan?  I was thinking of this last night because I'm feeling a little scattered with Murphy's training.  In a couple of days when I'm sure he's better I'm going to start again.  I sometimes feel like I'm the one lacking focus.  I feel like I may be working on too many things at once.  I've actually been thinking that I need to sit down and write a plan for myself that will include the specific training goals in order of importance and then develop the activities/strategies that will accomplish these goals.  I'm thinking the goals should build, one from another.  I can also then identify what other resources I'm going to need to accomplish each goal.  If anyone has done this, would you mind sharing what you have?

[Adina P]

The training method I use IS a training plan....so yes I have one but I didn't create it.  The ultimate final goal is off leash control (provided I complete the program to the end) and each part builds upon the previous part all starting with a solid foundation of attention (not 'watch me' though).  It all flows in logical sequence and I know exactly what I'll be working on each day.   It also has 'tests' planned to evaluate a dog's readiness for the next section. Love it!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I don't have a written plan but one may have been useful when Tara was younger and had less training. I can remember that feeling of being completely overwhelmed with everything she needed to learn!! The most I have done is write an "achieve by" date on the calendar for certain training goals. This, I can tell you, does not work!!! :( And, that is where the plan should have come in!!

When we signed Tara up for Puppy Class we received the booklet that this particular trainer uses for the entire training experience It includes the training guide through what she refers to as Puppy, Primary and Secondary Schools. Each stage builds on the next. For instance "Go to your Bed" for Puppy would be just getting them to go to their bed. For Primary it would be go to the bed and stay until released. For Secondary it would be go to the bed, stay until released and distractions would be added. The book states what tools you will need for each state of the training etc.

Another example is for the "heel" command, she has you list the things that distract your dog and then itemize them from least to most distracting. Then you begin with the least challenging distraction and adjust either your distance or your reward value until the dog can settle down and work with you. Over time you shorten the distance until your dog is able to work with you until that specific distraction. Then you repeat this process going down the list of distractions. Very challenging and time consuming.

Although she does not MENTION a specific order in which to train commands it is obvious by the order in the booket that she is doing so. Sit and down are first because you need these to teach sit/stay or down/stay or heel (with a sit a the end). So there is a sequence.

Is this the type of thing you are thinking about?

[Dori & Rua]

Oh crap...I am supposed to have a training plan...no one told me this when I choose to become a Doodle mom. But, it makes perfect sense. I am, after all, one of those left-brained accounting-type people. Ok...would someone share a draft with me????? :-)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm going to develop one for Murphy....I'll share it in the next few days.

[Jacque Reynolds]

There is an excellent program posted online, free to use, and it is stages of training. Many people who train their own service dogs use this site: http://www.dragonflyllama.com/%20DOGS/StepsToSuccess/Steps.html

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thank you...I'll definitely check this out!

[Adina P]

As a clicker training plan, I think it's a very good one. But it would mean starting over from scratch for anyone not already doing clicker.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

It is easy to substitute a marker word for the clicker. Much more user friendly too. :)

[Adina P]

Right. But doing clicker/marker training in this style IS still starting over as a lot of it requires offered behaviors and there are no corrections. It is switching paradigms and starting from scratch as it takes a while for a dog to get in the 'clicker' frame of mind. A dog has to develop a different language of sorts when doing clicker, has to develop several fluencies before you actually get anywhere. Not putting it down, but it is a complete switch, not just something you can do a little and get the same results.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Okay, I'm confused. I know I must be missing something. What I saw looks like steps/milestones to training, not the specific method. What I'm concerned with right now is sequence. I often feel like I'm trying to train too many things all at once. These levels would seem to provide that logical sequence even if you wern't using clicker training. What am I missing?