90-Day Foundations Program (DEPRECATED)
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→ Go to the 90-Day Foundations Hub
The content below is kept for reference but the modular version is recommended:
Building Excellence While Preventing Problems
THE VISION
Where We’re Starting (Nov 20, 2025):
- 2-year-old Staffordshire Terrier, ~50lbs
- 3.5 months in your home, still settling
- Already responsive and biddable
- High energy, fast, driven
- Friendly but excitable around triggers (dogs, cats, squirrels)
Where We’re Going (Feb 20, 2026):
- Rock-solid engagement and handler focus
- Emotional regulation and arousal control
- Impulse control and patience under pressure
- Foundation ready for advanced obedience and sport work
THE 90-DAY ROADMAP
| Cycle | Dates | Focus | Cheatsheet | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nov 20 - Dec 20 | Confidence & Engagement | Building A Dog’s Confidence | Handler focus as default, problem-solving foundation |
| 2 | Dec 21 - Jan 20 | Emotional Regulation | Overexcited Dogs | Arousal control, drive channeling, start/stop switches |
| 3 | Jan 21 - Feb 20 | Impulse Control & Precision | Adolescent Dogs With Zero Patience | Patience under pressure, frustration tolerance, reliability |
DAILY STRUCTURE (ALL CYCLES)
| Time | Activity | Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~4:00 AM | Wake, Potty #1 | 5 min | Bathroom break |
| ~4:30 AM | Breakfast | 5 min | Bowl/scatter/Kong feed |
| ~5:00 AM | Gym | 60 min | Your workout |
| ~6:00 AM | Morning Marker Session | 5 min | Quick marker work, sit/down maintenance |
| ~6:00 AM | Potty #2, Potty #3 | 5 min | Before you leave for work |
| 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Crate Time | - | While you’re at work |
| ~3:00 PM | Potty immediately | 5 min | First thing when home |
| 3:00 PM | COURTYARD SESSION | 10 min | THE NON-NEGOTIABLE ANCHOR |
| ~3:15 PM | Decompression | 20-30 min | Crate/tether/house lead |
| ~3:45 PM | Bonus Training Session | 10-15 min | This week’s game from cheatsheet |
| ~4:30 PM | Dinner | 5 min | Meal #2 (scatter/training/Kong) |
| ~4:30 PM | Exercise Outlet | 20-30 min | Walk/play/field work + 2-3 check-ins |
| ~5:30 PM | Puppy Parking | 5-10 min | Settle work after exercise |
| ~5:45 PM | Potty | 5 min | - |
| ~6:00 PM | Evening Session (optional) | 5 min | Light work if energy allows |
| ~6:15 PM | Neutral Time | 30 min | Calm hanging out |
| ~6:45 PM | Final Potty | 5 min | Before bed |
| 7:00 PM | Lights Out | - | Crate/bed for the night |
THE NON-NEGOTIABLE: 3PM COURTYARD SESSION
This session happens every single day, no matter what. This is your foundation anchor.
Structure (10 minutes total):
| Minutes | Activity | What You’re Doing |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00 - 4:00 | Marker Conditioning | Random YES captures, 15-20 reps, high energy, rapid-fire |
| 4:00 - 10:00 | Engagement Work | Eye contact marking (excited YES), green circle proximity (calm GOOD), sit reps |
Why This Matters:
- Builds bulletproof marker response
- Creates default handler focus
- Establishes daily training habit
- Takes 10 minutes but compounds over 90 days
CYCLE 1: BUILDING A DOG’S CONFIDENCE
Nov 20 - Dec 20, 2025
30-Day Goal
Realistic Goal:
“By December 20th, Melon can confidently perform all 5 games from the ‘Building A Dog’s Confidence’ cheatsheet in sequence: Middle, Scent Trails, Box Feeding, Touch the Object, and Step Up. She shows handler focus, problem-solving ability, and confidence trying new things.”
Crazy Goal:
“Run the entire confidence routine at the dog park with other dogs around and Melon stays focused on me!”
Weekly Game Focus
| Week | Dates | Game | Module | What You’re Building |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nov 20-26 | Middle (Flip to Middle / Walk in Middle) | Module 1 | Handler proximity, trust, physical confidence |
| 2 | Nov 27 - Dec 3 | Scent Trails | Module 2 | Focus, calmness, nose work foundation |
| 3 | Dec 4-10 | Box Feeding | Module 3 | Environmental neutrality, trust, impulse control |
| 4 | Dec 11-17 | Touch the Object + Step Up | Module 4 & 5 | Problem-solving, confidence on new surfaces |
| 5 | Dec 18-20 | Integration & Assessment | All | Run all 5 games in sequence |
Week 1: Middle (Nov 20-26)
Daily Training Plan:
| Session | What to Do | Success Metric |
|---|---|---|
| 3pm Courtyard | Marker + Engagement (standard) | Consistent check-ins |
| Bonus Session | Middle progression (10-15 min) | See weekly progression below |
Progression Through the Week:
| Day | Focus | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Mon/Tue | Lure her through your legs, reward | She goes through willingly |
| Wed | Hold position in middle for 2 seconds | She stays without moving forward |
| Thu/Fri | Take 2-3 steps with her in middle | She follows your movement |
| Weekend | Walk 5+ steps in middle position | Fluid movement together |
End of Week Success: She can walk 5 steps in middle position with minimal luring.
Week 2: Scent Trails (Nov 27 - Dec 3)
Daily Training Plan:
| Session | What to Do | Success Metric |
|---|---|---|
| 3pm Courtyard | Marker + Engagement (standard) | Consistent check-ins |
| Bonus Session | Scent trail work (10-15 min) | See weekly progression below |
Progression Through the Week:
| Day | Focus | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Mon/Tue | 5-foot straight line of treats | She follows nose-down |
| Wed | 10-foot line with one curve | She follows the curve |
| Thu/Fri | 15-foot trail with multiple turns | She stays on the trail |
| Weekend | 20-foot trail, add complexity (grass, different surfaces) | Independent following |
End of Week Success: She can follow a 20-foot scent trail independently with her nose down.
Week 3: Box Feeding (Dec 4-10)
Daily Training Plan:
| Session | What to Do | Success Metric |
|---|---|---|
| 3pm Courtyard | Marker + Engagement (standard) | Consistent check-ins |
| Bonus Session | Box feeding variations (10-15 min) | See weekly progression below |
Progression Through the Week:
| Day | Focus | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Mon/Tue | Introduce box, let her eat from it | Head goes in willingly |
| Wed | Increase duration (more food, slower eating) | Head stays in for 15+ seconds |
| Thu/Fri | Add mild distractions (you move around) | She keeps head in box |
| Weekend | Box feeding in different locations | Generalizes behavior |
End of Week Success: She keeps her head in the box for 30+ seconds with you moving around.
Week 4: Touch the Object + Step Up (Dec 11-17)
Daily Training Plan:
| Session | What to Do | Success Metric |
|---|---|---|
| 3pm Courtyard | Marker + Engagement (standard) | Consistent check-ins |
| Bonus Session | Split session: 7 min each game | See weekly progression below |
Progression Through the Week:
| Day | Touch the Object | Step Up |
|---|---|---|
| Mon/Tue | Nose touches one object on cue | Front paws on low platform |
| Wed | Touches 2 different objects | Front paws on different surface |
| Thu/Fri | Touches 3 objects reliably | All 4 paws on platform |
| Weekend | Generalizes to new objects | Multiple surfaces confidently |
End of Week Success: She touches 3 different objects on cue and steps onto 2 different surfaces with all 4 paws.
Week 5: Integration (Dec 18-20)
Assessment Session (15-20 min):
Run all 5 games in sequence:
- Middle (walk 5 steps)
- Scent Trails (follow 10-foot trail)
- Box Feeding (30 seconds)
- Touch the Object (3 objects)
- Step Up (2 surfaces)
Reflection Questions:
- What’s solid?
- What needs more work?
- Is she showing confidence and engagement?
- Is she problem-solving without frustration?
Outcome: Decide if you’re ready for Cycle 2 or need to extend/repeat any games.
CYCLE 2: OVEREXCITED DOGS (EMOTIONAL REGULATION)
Dec 21 - Jan 20, 2026
30-Day Goal
Realistic Goal:
“By January 20th, Melon can regulate her arousal - go from high-energy play to calm settle within 30 seconds. She can play tug with rules, start and stop on cue, and channel excitement toward me instead of away from me.”
Crazy Goal:
“She sees a squirrel, spikes in arousal, and immediately checks in with me waiting for permission!”
Weekly Game Focus
| Week | Dates | Game | Module | What You’re Building |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dec 21-27 | Red Light, Green Light | Module 3 | Start/stop arousal control |
| 2 | Dec 28 - Jan 3 | Tug With Rules | Module 3 | Drive + boundaries |
| 3 | Jan 4-10 | Knock Over Water Bottle | Module 4 | Frustration tolerance |
| 4 | Jan 11-17 | Herding Step 1 + Scatter Feeding | Module 8 & 2 | Physical boundaries + post-arousal reset |
| 5 | Jan 18-20 | Integration & Assessment | All | Arousal spike → regulated settle |
Week 1: Red Light, Green Light (Dec 21-27)
Daily Training Plan:
| Session | What to Do | Success Metric |
|---|---|---|
| 3pm Courtyard | Marker + Engagement (standard) | Consistent check-ins |
| Bonus Session | Red Light, Green Light (10-15 min) | See weekly progression below |
Progression Through the Week:
| Day | Focus | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Mon/Tue | Run together, stop on cue, reward calm | She stops within 3 seconds |
| Wed | Increase arousal (more running), stop, settle | Stops within 2 seconds |
| Thu/Fri | High arousal play, immediate stop | Stops within 1 second |
| Weekend | Multiple cycles: GO → STOP → GO | Fluid transitions |
End of Week Success: She can go from high arousal to calm settle in under 30 seconds.
Week 2: Tug With Rules (Dec 28 - Jan 3)
Daily Training Plan:
| Session | What to Do | Success Metric |
|---|---|---|
| 3pm Courtyard | Marker + Engagement (standard) | Consistent check-ins |
| Bonus Session | Tug with rules (10-15 min) | See weekly progression below |
Progression Through the Week:
| Day | Focus | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Mon/Tue | Play tug, ask for “drop,” reward | She releases within 3 seconds |
| Wed | Tug, drop, wait 2 seconds, re-engage | She waits for permission |
| Thu/Fri | Higher arousal tug, immediate drop | Drops even when amped |
| Weekend | Multiple cycles, add distractions | Reliable drop under pressure |
End of Week Success: She plays tug enthusiastically and drops on first cue even when highly aroused.
Week 3: Knock Over Water Bottle (Jan 4-10)
Daily Training Plan:
| Session | What to Do | Success Metric |
|---|---|---|
| 3pm Courtyard | Marker + Engagement (standard) | Consistent check-ins |
| Bonus Session | Knock over water bottle (10-15 min) | See weekly progression below |
Progression Through the Week:
| Day | Focus | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Mon/Tue | Introduce bottle, reward any interaction | She investigates willingly |
| Wed | Shape toward knocking it over | She makes contact with paw |
| Thu/Fri | Reliable knock-over on cue | She knocks it over purposefully |
| Weekend | Generalize to different objects | Works through frustration |
End of Week Success: She can knock over the bottle reliably and doesn’t give up when it’s harder.
Week 4: Herding Step 1 + Scatter Feeding (Jan 11-17)
Daily Training Plan:
| Session | What to Do | Success Metric |
|---|---|---|
| 3pm Courtyard | Marker + Engagement (standard) | Consistent check-ins |
| Bonus Session | Split: 7 min Herding, 7 min Scatter | See weekly progression below |
Progression Through the Week:
| Day | Herding Step 1 | Scatter Feeding |
|---|---|---|
| Mon/Tue | Establish physical boundary line | Basic scatter feed after arousal |
| Wed | She respects boundary with mild temptation | Scatter in different locations |
| Thu/Fri | Higher temptation, holds boundary | Scatter after high-arousal play |
| Weekend | Boundary reliable, add movement | Immediate calm after excitement |
End of Week Success: She respects physical boundaries even with temptation and can immediately shift to calm nose work after high arousal.
Week 5: Integration (Jan 18-20)
Assessment Session:
Test arousal regulation:
- High-energy play (tug, Red Light/Green Light)
- Immediate stop
- Scatter feed or calm settle
- Measure recovery time to baseline
Reflection Questions:
- Can she go from 100 to 0 in under 30 seconds?
- Does she drop toy on first cue when aroused?
- Can she work through frustration without giving up?
- Is her excitement directed toward you or away?
CYCLE 3: ADOLESCENT DOGS WITH ZERO PATIENCE
Jan 21 - Feb 20, 2026
30-Day Goal
Realistic Goal:
“By February 20th, Melon has rock-solid impulse control. She can wait patiently for food, hold behaviors with distractions, and work through frustrating challenges without quitting. She’s ready for advanced obedience work.”
Crazy Goal:
“She can hold a down-stay for 2 minutes with me out of sight and other dogs walking by!”
Weekly Game Focus
| Week | Dates | Game | Module | What You’re Building |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 21-27 | Pause for Food Challenge | Module 3 | Impulse control with high-value rewards |
| 2 | Jan 28 - Feb 3 | Stack an Object | Module 4 | Precision + sustained focus |
| 3 | Feb 4-10 | Crawl Under Obstacles | Module 5 | Body control + patience |
| 4 | Feb 11-17 | Ignore That (Indirect Reward) | Module 3 | Delayed gratification |
| 5 | Feb 18-20 | Integration & Assessment | All | Patience under pressure |
Week 1-4: Detailed progression follows same format as Cycles 1 & 2
(Each week includes daily structure, progression table, and end-of-week success metrics)
TRAINING SESSIONS: DETAILED BREAKDOWN
3PM Courtyard Session (Every Day, All Cycles)
Minutes 0-4: Marker Conditioning
| What | How | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Random YES captures | Say YES when she glances at you, sniffs your hand, shifts weight toward you | Building Pavlovian marker response |
| High rate of reinforcement | 15-20 reps in 4 minutes | Creating automatic orient-to-handler |
| Excited delivery | Hand to treat bag, drop treat to your side, she comes to you | Building drive toward handler |
Minutes 4-10: Engagement Work
| What | How | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Eye contact marking | Wait for her to look at you, excited YES, reward | Building active choice to check in |
| Green circle proximity | Calm GOOD when she’s in loose proximity, casual treat | Teaching position awareness |
| Sit reps (5-10) | Command once, mark when she sits, reward | Maintenance of known behavior |
Bonus Training Session Structure
Format (10-15 minutes):
| Minutes | Activity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | Warm-up (quick marker reps, known behavior) | Get her engaged and thinking |
| 2-12 | This week’s game progression | Skill building |
| 12-15 | Cool-down (calm GOOD markers, settle) | End on success, transition to calm |
Principles:
- Keep it short (brain work is exhausting)
- End on success (don’t drill to failure)
- High value rewards (this is skill-building, not maintenance)
- If she’s struggling, make it easier (set her up to win)
Walk Integration: Check-Ins
During Walks (2-3 times per walk):
| Step | Action | Marker/Reward |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stop walking | - |
| 2 | Wait for eye contact (don’t ask for it) | - |
| 3 | She looks at you | Excited YES |
| 4 | Reward | Treat or brief tug play |
| 5 | Release and continue walking | - |
Bonus: If she sees a trigger (dog/cat/squirrel) and checks in with you FIRST → JACKPOT (multiple treats or extended tug session)
WEEKLY REFLECTION TEMPLATE
End of Each Week:
Avoidant Goal Check (Preventing Problems):
| Question | Yes/No | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Did we avoid rehearsing bad patterns? | ||
| Did I keep her under threshold? | ||
| Did I manage high-arousal situations well? | ||
| Is she checking in MORE, not less? | ||
| Are recovery times from arousal getting faster? |
Aspirational Goal Check (Building Excellence):
| Question | Yes/No | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Did we make progress on this week’s game? | ||
| Is her marker response getting faster? | ||
| Is her engagement improving? | ||
| Is she showing toy/tug drive? | ||
| Can she problem-solve without giving up? |
This Week’s Wins:
😊 Handler Focus Wins:
(Times she chose you over environment)
😊 Drive Moments:
(Times she showed enthusiasm for training/play)
😊 Problem-Solving Wins:
(Times she figured something out)
This Week’s Challenges:
😬 What Needs Work:
(Areas where she struggled or regressed)
Next Week’s Focus:
(What to carry forward, what to adjust)
END OF CYCLE ASSESSMENT
After Each 30-Day Cycle:
Goal Review:
| Original Goal | Achieved? | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Realistic goal | Yes / Partially / No | Describe what she can do now |
| Crazy goal | Yes / Partially / No | How close did we get? |
Skills Inventory:
| Skill | Rating (1-5) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marker response | How fast does she respond to YES? | |
| Handler engagement | Default check-in behavior? | |
| Arousal regulation | Can she go from high to calm? | |
| Impulse control | Can she wait/hold behaviors? | |
| Problem-solving | Does she give up or persist? | |
| Toy/tug drive | Is play rewarding to her? |
Next Cycle Planning:
What’s ready to progress:
(Skills that are solid enough to build on)
What needs more work:
(Skills that need continued focus)
Adjustments for next cycle:
(What to change, add, or emphasize)
QUICK REFERENCE: THE NON-NEGOTIABLES
Every Single Day:
✅ 3pm Courtyard Session (10 min) - THE ANCHOR
✅ This week’s game (10-15 min when possible)
✅ Exercise outlet (walk/play/field)
✅ Multiple potty breaks
✅ Meals served appropriately
✅ Crate time maintained
Every Single Week:
✅ Reflection (5-10 min to review and plan)
✅ Progress check (Is this week’s game improving?)
✅ Adjustment (Make it easier or harder as needed)
Every 30 Days:
✅ Cycle assessment (Full skills inventory)
✅ Next cycle planning (What cheatsheet is next?)
✅ Celebrate progress (Look how far you’ve come!)
FINAL REMINDERS
For Your ADHD Brain:
🧠 You don’t have to invent the plan - Courtney already did it
🧠 You don’t have to decide what to train - You know based on the week
🧠 You don’t have to track everything - Just weekly reflections
🧠 Imperfect consistency beats perfect planning - Just show up
For Melon:
🐕 She’s already good - You’re building great
🐕 She’s not broken - You’re preventing problems before they start
🐕 She’s got high potential - You’re setting her up for excellence
🐕 She’s learning - Trust the process
For You:
💪 Progress, not perfection
💪 One day at a time
💪 One cycle at a time
💪 One game at a time
START DATE: NOVEMBER 20, 2025
END DATE: FEBRUARY 20, 2026
TOTAL: 90 DAYS TO TRANSFORM YOUR TRAINING
Let’s go build something amazing with Melon. 🐾