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150 Days to Excellence: Foundation + 3 Cycles


OVERVIEW: THE FULL JOURNEY

Timeline: November 20, 2025 - April 20, 2026 (5 months)

What You’re Building:

  • Foundation skills (Break, Down, Duration)
  • Cycle 1: Confidence & Engagement (5 games)
  • Cycle 2: Emotional Regulation (5 games)
  • Cycle 3: Impulse Control & Precision (5 games)

Daily Non-Negotiable:

  • 3pm Courtyard Session (10 min): Marker + Engagement
  • This NEVER changes, runs through entire timeline

TIMELINE AT A GLANCE

Period Dates Foundation Focus Cycle Focus Outcome
Weeks 1-2 Nov 20 - Dec 3 Break (complete) + Down (Phases 1-2) Foundation only Break solid, Down started, daily rhythm established
Weeks 3-4 Dec 4-17 Break (maintenance) + Down (Phases 3-4) Cycle 1: Weeks 1-2 Break maintenance, Down verbal cue started, 2 Confidence games learned
Week 5 Dec 18-24 Down (Phase 5) Cycle 1: Weeks 3-5 Down on verbal cue, 3 more Confidence games, Cycle 1 complete
Weeks 6-9 Dec 25 - Jan 21 Down Duration (Phase 6) Cycle 2: Weeks 1-4 Down with 60-sec duration, 4/5 Regulation games learned
Week 10 Jan 22-28 Down Distance/Distractions (Phase 7 start) Cycle 2: Week 5 (Integration) Down solid with duration, All Regulation games complete
Weeks 11-14 Jan 29 - Feb 25 Down Distance/Distractions (Phase 7 cont.) Cycle 3: Weeks 1-4 Down fully proofed, 4/5 Patience games learned
Week 15 Feb 26 - Mar 4 All foundation = maintenance only Cycle 3: Week 5 (Integration) All foundation skills complete, All Patience games complete
Weeks 16-20 Mar 5 - Apr 6 Maintenance Advanced applications & generalization Everything solid, ready for advanced work

THE DAILY STRUCTURE (CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT)

Time Activity Duration Notes
~4:00 AM Wake, Potty #1 5 min -
~4:30 AM Breakfast 5 min Practice Break (place bed)
~5:00 AM Gym 60 min Your workout
~6:00 AM Morning Marker Session 5 min Quick reps, sit/down maintenance
~6:00 AM Potty #2, #3 5 min Before work
6-2pm Crate Time - While at work
~3:00 PM Potty immediately 5 min First thing home
3:00 PM COURTYARD SESSION 10 min Marker + Engagement (ANCHOR)
~3:15 PM Decompression 20-30 min Crate/tether/settle
~3:45 PM Bonus Training 10-15 min This week’s focus (see timeline)
~4:30 PM Dinner 5 min Practice Break (place bed/meal wait)
~4:30 PM Exercise Outlet 20-30 min Walk/play + 2-3 check-ins
~5:30 PM Puppy Parking 5-10 min Post-exercise settle
~6:00 PM Evening (optional) 5 min Light work if energy allows
~6:45 PM Final Potty 5 min Before bed
7:00 PM Lights Out - Sleep

DETAILED WEEK-BY-WEEK BREAKDOWN


WEEK 1: Nov 20-26

Foundation Focus: Break Phase 1

  • Place bed + toss method
  • 20 reps per session, 2-3 sessions per day
  • Goal: She leaves bed when she hears “break”

Foundation Focus: Down Phase 1

  • Introduce lure, get the behavior
  • 10-15 reps per session, 2 sessions per day
  • Goal: Follows lure into down 8/10 times

Cycle Games: None yet - Building foundation only


Your Bonus Training Schedule:

Day Bonus Session Focus Foundation Practice
Mon Break Phase 1 (10 min) Place bed + toss
Tue Down Phase 1 (10 min) Introduce lure
Wed Break Phase 1 (10 min) Place bed + toss
Thu Down Phase 1 (10 min) Build lure following
Fri Break Phase 1 (10 min) Place bed + toss
Sat Down Phase 1 (10 min) Lure reliability
Sun Review: Break + Down (7 min each) Both skills

Daily constant:

  • 3pm Courtyard: Marker + Engagement (10 min) - establishing this habit

End of Week Goals:

  • ✅ 3pm courtyard habit established (did it 7 days in a row)
  • ✅ Break: She moves off place bed when she hears “break” (with toss)
  • ✅ Down: She follows lure into down 8/10 times within 10 seconds

WEEK 2: Nov 27 - Dec 3 (Parents’ trip: Nov 26 - Dec 1)

Foundation Focus: Break Phase 2

  • Place bed + delayed toss
  • She starts moving BEFORE you toss
  • Goal: “Break” = the cue, not just the toss

Foundation Focus: Down Phase 2

  • Build speed and reliability with lure
  • 15-20 reps per session
  • Goal: Downs within 3 seconds 9/10 times

Cycle Games: None yet - Continuing foundation work


Your Bonus Training Schedule:

Day Bonus Session Focus Foundation Practice
Tue (at parents) Break Phase 2 (10 min) Delayed toss
Wed (at parents) Down Phase 2 (10 min) Build speed
Thu (at parents - Thanksgiving) Light practice or rest day Maintain Break/Down
Fri (at parents) Break Phase 2 (10 min) Delayed toss
Sat (at parents) Down Phase 2 (10 min) Build speed
Sun (back home) Review: Break + Down Integration, settle back in

Daily constant:

  • 3pm Courtyard: Marker + Engagement (10 min) - even at parents’ house

Special notes:

  • New wire crate arriving this week
  • Practice threshold manners with new crate
  • New environment = good generalization for Break and Down
  • Keep sessions light and fun given travel stress

End of Week Goals:

  • ✅ 3pm courtyard habit maintained even with travel
  • ✅ Break: She moves when she hears “break,” before toss (Phase 2 complete)
  • ✅ Down: She downs within 3 seconds on lure 9/10 times
  • ✅ New crate integrated successfully

WEEK 3: Dec 4-10

Foundation Focus: Break Phase 3 (Generalization)

  • No toss needed on place bed
  • Add to: sit, meals, crate exits
  • Goal: “Break” works across all contexts

Foundation Focus: Down Phase 3A

  • Smaller lure motion (halfway down)
  • She anticipates and completes it
  • Goal: Downs with half-motion 8/10 times

Cycle 1 Game: Box Feeding

  • Module 3 game
  • First Cycle game begins
  • Goal: Head in box 30+ seconds with distractions

Your Bonus Training Schedule:

Day Bonus Session Focus Foundation Practice
Mon Box Feeding (10 min) Break (generalize to sit/meals/crate)
Tue Down Phase 3A (10 min) Break everywhere
Wed Box Feeding (10 min) Break everywhere
Thu Down Phase 3A (10 min) Break everywhere
Fri Box Feeding (10 min) Break everywhere
Sat Down Phase 3A (10 min) Break everywhere
Sun Review: Box Feeding + Down Break is maintenance

End of Week Goals:

  • ✅ Break: Solid across all contexts (place, sit, meals, crate) - maintenance only
  • ✅ Down: Downs with smaller hand motion (halfway) 8/10 times
  • ✅ Box Feeding: Keeps head in box 30 seconds with you moving around
  • ✅ First Cycle game learned

WEEK 4: Dec 11-17

Foundation Focus: Break = Maintenance

  • Using it constantly, no dedicated practice needed
  • Part of daily life

Foundation Focus: Down Phase 3B-4

  • Empty hand motion (treat in other hand)
  • Add verbal cue “down” before hand signal
  • Goal: Anticipates verbal, starts downing before hand signal

Cycle 1 Games: Middle + Touch the Object

  • Module 1 & 4 games
  • Split bonus session: 7 min each (or alternate days)
  • Goal: Walks in middle position, touches objects on cue

Your Bonus Training Schedule:

Day Bonus Session Focus Foundation Practice
Mon Middle (10 min) Break (daily use)
Tue Down Phase 3B-4 (10 min) Break (daily use)
Wed Touch Object (10 min) Break (daily use)
Thu Down Phase 3B-4 (10 min) Break (daily use)
Fri Middle + Touch (7 min each) Break (daily use)
Sat Down Phase 3B-4 (10 min) Break (daily use)
Sun Review all Break (daily use)

End of Week Goals:

  • ✅ Break: Fully integrated, maintenance only
  • ✅ Down: Responds to empty hand, starts anticipating verbal “down” 5/10 times
  • ✅ Middle: Walks 5 steps in middle position
  • ✅ Touch Object: Touches 3 objects on cue

WEEK 5: Dec 18-24

Foundation Focus: Down Phase 5

  • Verbal cue only testing
  • Hand signal becomes backup
  • Goal: Responds to “down” (verbal only) 8-9/10 times

Cycle 1 Games: Scent Trails + Step Up + Integration

  • Module 2 & 5 games
  • Learning final 2 games + running all 5 in sequence
  • Goal: All 5 Confidence games complete

Your Bonus Training Schedule:

Day Bonus Session Focus Notes
Mon Scent Trails (10 min) 20-foot trails
Tue Down Phase 5 (verbal testing) 60% verbal only trials
Wed Step Up (10 min) Multiple surfaces
Thu Down Phase 5 (verbal testing) 70% verbal only trials
Fri Scent Trails + Step Up (7 min each) Polish both
Sat Cycle 1 Integration (all 5 games) Middle → Scent → Box → Touch → Step
Sun Down Phase 5 + Cycle 1 Assessment 80% verbal only, assess all games

End of Week Goals:

  • ✅ Down: Responds to verbal “down” 8-9/10 times, no hand signal needed
  • ✅ Scent Trails: Follows 20-foot trail independently
  • ✅ Step Up: Steps on 2+ surfaces confidently
  • ✅ Cycle 1: All 5 Confidence games can be run in sequence

🎉 MILESTONE: CYCLE 1 COMPLETE + DOWN VERBAL CUE SOLID 🎉


WEEK 6: Dec 25-31

Foundation Focus: Down Phase 6 (Duration Week 1)

  • Add 2-10 seconds duration
  • Use calm “GOOD” markers
  • Feed treats between paws
  • Goal: Holds down 10 seconds with 2-3 treats

Cycle 2: Red Light, Green Light

  • Module 3 game
  • Start/stop arousal control
  • Goal: Goes from high arousal to calm in 30 seconds

Your Bonus Training Schedule:

Day Bonus Session Focus Notes
Mon Red Light, Green Light (10 min) High energy play → stop → settle
Tue Down Duration Week 1 (10 min) 2-4 second holds
Wed Red Light, Green Light (10 min) Increase arousal level
Thu Down Duration Week 1 (10 min) 4-6 second holds
Fri Red Light, Green Light (10 min) Fast transitions
Sat Down Duration Week 1 (10 min) 6-10 second holds
Sun Review both Integration

End of Week Goals:

  • ✅ Down: Holds 10 seconds with 2-3 treat deliveries 8/10 times
  • ✅ Red Light, Green Light: Can go from play to calm in under 30 seconds

WEEK 7: Jan 1-7

Foundation Focus: Down Phase 6 (Duration Week 2)

  • Extend to 10-30 seconds
  • Reduce treat frequency (every 5-7 seconds)
  • Goal: Holds 30 seconds with 4-5 treats

Cycle 2: Tug With Rules

  • Module 3 game
  • Drive + boundaries
  • Goal: Drops toy on first cue when highly aroused

Your Bonus Training Schedule:

Day Bonus Session Focus Notes
Mon Tug With Rules (10 min) Introduce “drop” during tug
Tue Down Duration Week 2 (10 min) 10-15 second holds
Wed Tug With Rules (10 min) Build arousal, practice drop
Thu Down Duration Week 2 (10 min) 15-20 second holds
Fri Tug With Rules (10 min) Multiple tug/drop cycles
Sat Down Duration Week 2 (10 min) 25-30 second holds
Sun Review both Integration

End of Week Goals:

  • ✅ Down: Holds 30 seconds with 4-5 treats 8/10 times
  • ✅ Tug: Drops toy on first cue even when aroused

WEEK 8: Jan 8-14

Foundation Focus: Down Phase 6 (Duration Week 3)

  • 30-60 seconds with mild distractions
  • Your movement, small steps, gestures
  • Goal: Holds 60 seconds with distractions

Cycle 2: Knock Over Water Bottle

  • Module 4 game
  • Frustration tolerance
  • Goal: Knocks bottle reliably, doesn’t give up when hard

Your Bonus Training Schedule:

Day Bonus Session Focus Notes
Mon Knock Over Bottle (10 min) Introduce, shape toward goal
Tue Down Duration Week 3 (10 min) 30 sec + your movement
Wed Knock Over Bottle (10 min) Build toward knock-over
Thu Down Duration Week 3 (10 min) 45 sec + small steps
Fri Knock Over Bottle (10 min) Reliable knock-over
Sat Down Duration Week 3 (10 min) 60 sec + multiple distractions
Sun Review both Integration

End of Week Goals:

  • ✅ Down: Holds 60 seconds with mild distractions 8/10 times
  • ✅ Knock Over Bottle: Knocks it over reliably, works through frustration

WEEK 9: Jan 15-21

Foundation Focus: Down Phase 6 (Duration Week 4)

  • Solidify 60+ seconds
  • Duration is reliable
  • Ready to add distance/bigger distractions

Cycle 2: Herding Step 1 + Scatter Feeding

  • Module 8 & 2 games
  • Physical boundaries + post-arousal reset
  • Split session: 7 min each

Your Bonus Training Schedule:

Day Bonus Session Focus Notes
Mon Herding + Scatter (7 min each) Establish boundary, scatter after
Tue Down Duration Week 4 (10 min) Test 60 sec multiple times
Wed Herding + Scatter (7 min each) Boundary with temptation
Thu Down Duration Week 4 (10 min) Vary duration (30-60 sec)
Fri Herding + Scatter (7 min each) Reliable boundary, calm scatter
Sat Down Duration Week 4 (10 min) 60+ sec is solid
Sun Review Duration phase complete

End of Week Goals:

  • ✅ Down: Duration at 60+ seconds is solid and reliable
  • ✅ Herding: Respects physical boundary with temptation
  • ✅ Scatter: Immediately calms after high arousal

🎉 MILESTONE: DOWN DURATION COMPLETE 🎉


WEEK 10: Jan 22-28

Foundation Focus: Down Phase 7 (Distance Week 1)

  • Add 1-2 steps away
  • She holds while you move
  • Goal: Holds with you 3 steps away

Cycle 2: Integration Week

  • Run all 5 Regulation games in sequence
  • Assess progress
  • Plan for Cycle 3

Your Bonus Training Schedule:

Day Bonus Session Focus Notes
Mon Down Distance (10 min) 1 step away, 30 sec hold
Tue Cycle 2 Integration Red Light → Tug → Bottle → Herding → Scatter
Wed Down Distance (10 min) 2 steps away, 30 sec hold
Thu Cycle 2 Integration Run sequence again
Fri Down Distance (10 min) 3 steps away, 45 sec hold
Sat Cycle 2 Assessment What’s solid? What needs work?
Sun Plan Cycle 3 Review, celebrate, prep

End of Week Goals:

  • ✅ Down: Holds with you 3 steps away for 45 seconds
  • ✅ Cycle 2: All 5 Regulation games complete
  • ✅ Ready for Cycle 3

🎉 MILESTONE: CYCLE 2 COMPLETE 🎉


WEEK 11: Jan 29 - Feb 4

Foundation Focus: Down Phase 7 (Distance Week 2)

  • 3-5 steps away
  • Start going around corners
  • Goal: Holds with you 5 steps away or briefly out of sight

Cycle 3: Pause for Food Challenge

  • Module 3 game
  • Impulse control with high-value reward
  • Goal: Waits patiently, doesn’t steal food

Your Bonus Training Schedule:

Day Bonus Session Focus
Mon Pause for Food (10 min)
Tue Down Distance (10 min) - 3-5 steps
Wed Pause for Food (10 min)
Thu Down Distance (10 min) - around corner
Fri Pause for Food (10 min)
Sat Down Distance (10 min) - 5 steps + 60 sec
Sun Review both

End of Week Goals:

  • ✅ Down: Holds with you 5 steps away for 60 seconds
  • ✅ Pause for Food: Waits patiently without stealing

WEEK 12: Feb 5-11

Foundation Focus: Down Phase 7 (Distance Week 3)

  • 10 steps away
  • Out of sight for short periods
  • Goal: Holds with you 10 steps away or out of sight

Cycle 3: Stack an Object

  • Module 4 game
  • Precision + sustained focus
  • Goal: Can stack object reliably (even if it takes weeks to perfect)

Your Bonus Training Schedule:

Day Bonus Session Focus
Mon Stack Object (10 min)
Tue Down Distance (10 min) - 10 steps
Wed Stack Object (10 min)
Thu Down Distance (10 min) - out of sight 10 sec
Fri Stack Object (10 min)
Sat Down Distance (10 min) - out of sight 30 sec
Sun Review both

End of Week Goals:

  • ✅ Down: Holds with you 10 steps away or out of sight for 30 seconds
  • ✅ Stack Object: Making progress (this one takes time)

WEEK 13: Feb 12-18

Foundation Focus: Down Phase 7 (Distractions)

  • Add moderate distractions while you’re close
  • Walk around her, clap, drop objects
  • Goal: Holds through moderate distractions

Cycle 3: Crawl Under Obstacles

  • Module 5 game
  • Body control + patience
  • Goal: Crawls under low objects without rushing

Your Bonus Training Schedule:

Day Bonus Session Focus
Mon Crawl Under Obstacles (10 min)
Tue Down Distractions (10 min) - walk around
Wed Crawl Under Obstacles (10 min)
Thu Down Distractions (10 min) - clap, drop objects
Fri Crawl Under Obstacles (10 min)
Sat Down Distractions (10 min) - multiple distractions
Sun Review both

End of Week Goals:

  • ✅ Down: Holds through moderate distractions (movement, sounds)
  • ✅ Crawl: Crawls under table, chair, low obstacles

WEEK 14: Feb 19-25

Foundation Focus: Down Phase 7 (High Distractions)

  • Another person walks by, doorbell, toy nearby
  • Combining distance + distraction
  • Goal: Holds through high distractions

Cycle 3: Ignore That (Indirect Reward)

  • Module 3 game
  • Delayed gratification
  • Goal: Pays attention to you even when food is visible elsewhere

Your Bonus Training Schedule:

Day Bonus Session Focus
Mon Ignore That (10 min)
Tue Down High Distractions (10 min) - person walks by
Wed Ignore That (10 min)
Thu Down High Distractions (10 min) - doorbell
Fri Ignore That (10 min)
Sat Down High Distractions (10 min) - toy nearby
Sun Review both

End of Week Goals:

  • ✅ Down: Holds through high distractions
  • ✅ Ignore That: Looks at you instead of visible food

WEEK 15: Feb 26 - Mar 4

Foundation Focus: All Foundation = Maintenance

  • Break: Solid, daily use
  • Down: Fully proofed with duration, distance, distractions
  • No dedicated foundation practice needed

Cycle 3: Integration Week

  • Run all 5 Patience games in sequence
  • Assess progress
  • Celebrate completion

Your Bonus Training Schedule:

Day Bonus Session Focus
Mon Cycle 3 Integration (all 5 games)
Tue Cycle 3 Integration (all 5 games)
Wed Cycle 3 Assessment
Thu Full Program Review (all 15 games)
Fri Real-world testing (park, cafe, etc.)
Sat Real-world testing
Sun Plan advanced work

End of Week Goals:

  • ✅ Cycle 3: All 5 Patience games complete
  • ✅ Foundation: All skills solid and generalized
  • ✅ Ready for advanced applications

🎉 MILESTONE: ALL 3 CYCLES COMPLETE + FULL FOUNDATION SOLID 🎉


WEEKS 16-20: Mar 5 - Apr 6 (Advanced Applications)

Foundation: Maintenance Only

  • All skills are part of daily life
  • Practice in new environments
  • Add more challenge as needed

Focus: Advanced Applications

  • Formal recall work (she has the engagement for it)
  • Formal heel work (she has the focus for it)
  • Advanced trick progressions
  • Real-world generalization (busier parks, cafes, etc.)
  • Consider: Intro to sport foundations (nosework, rally, agility)

Your Bonus Training Schedule:

Flexible based on your goals. Options:

  • Start formal recall training
  • Start formal heel training
  • Perfect the 15 games you’ve learned
  • Introduce new games from Courtney’s library
  • Take all 15 games to higher distraction environments
  • Film yourself training and submit for feedback
  • Explore sport foundations

TRACKING YOUR PROGRESS

Use This Checklist:

Foundation Skills:

  • Break: Complete (Week 3)
  • Down Verbal Cue: Complete (Week 5)
  • Down Duration: Complete (Week 9)
  • Down Distance/Distractions: Complete (Week 15)

Cycle 1: Building Confidence

  • Box Feeding (Week 3)
  • Middle (Week 4)
  • Touch Object (Week 4)
  • Scent Trails (Week 5)
  • Step Up (Week 5)
  • Integration (Week 5)

Cycle 2: Emotional Regulation

  • Red Light, Green Light (Week 6)
  • Tug With Rules (Week 7)
  • Knock Over Bottle (Week 8)
  • Herding + Scatter (Week 9)
  • Integration (Week 10)

Cycle 3: Impulse Control

  • Pause for Food (Week 11)
  • Stack Object (Week 12)
  • Crawl Under (Week 13)
  • Ignore That (Week 14)
  • Integration (Week 15)

MILESTONES & CELEBRATIONS

Week 3 (Dec 10): 🎉 Break is solid across all contexts!

Week 5 (Dec 24): 🎉 Cycle 1 complete + Down on verbal cue!

Week 9 (Jan 21): 🎉 Down with 60-second duration complete!

Week 10 (Jan 28): 🎉 Cycle 2 complete!

Week 15 (Mar 4): 🎉 ALL 3 CYCLES COMPLETE + FULL FOUNDATION SOLID!

Week 20 (Apr 6): 🎉 150 DAYS COMPLETE - YOU BUILT A HIGH-PERFORMANCE DOG!


WHAT YOU’LL HAVE AFTER 150 DAYS

Foundation Skills:

✅ Break (release cue) - solid across all behaviors
✅ Down - verbal cue, 60+ second duration, distance, distraction-proof
✅ Marker system - bulletproof response
✅ Handler engagement - default check-in behavior

15 Games Mastered:

✅ 5 Confidence games (Cycle 1)
✅ 5 Regulation games (Cycle 2)
✅ 5 Patience games (Cycle 3)

Real-World Skills:

✅ Settles in public
✅ Holds positions with distractions
✅ Channels arousal toward you
✅ Works through frustration
✅ Checks in automatically
✅ Ready for advanced obedience
✅ Ready for sport foundations (if you want)

Most Importantly:

✅ You have a systematic training habit
✅ You know how to progress skills phase by phase
✅ You have protocols for teaching anything new
✅ You understand your dog and how she learns
✅ You built a genuine working partnership


FINAL REMINDERS

Progress, Not Perfection:

  • Some weeks will be great
  • Some weeks will be harder
  • Both are part of the journey

Flexibility:

  • If you need to repeat a week, that’s fine
  • If she’s ahead of schedule, that’s also fine
  • The timeline is a guide, not a prison

The 3pm Courtyard Session:

  • This is your anchor
  • It never changes
  • It’s 10 minutes
  • It builds everything else

Celebrate Small Wins:

  • Every phase completion
  • Every game learned
  • Every week of consistency
  • All of it matters

You’re Not Alone:

  • You have detailed protocols
  • You have a clear roadmap
  • You have Courtney’s videos
  • You know what to do next

YOU’VE GOT THIS. LET’S START WEEK 1. 🐾