Printable chart

2-week home practice chart

Five foundation games, taught in a quiet room first. Tick each game you played that day.

Or fill it in on your phone.

Dog's name

Start date

How long

2–5 min, 2–3× a day

Short sessions. Dogs have difficulty learning when they are anxious.

The games

Name game. Say their name once. They look: "yes" and treat. Stop after 10 treats.
Hand target. Flat palm a few inches from the nose. Nose touches: "yes" and treat.
Mat settle. Treat paws on the mat, then lying down. A treat every few seconds.
U-turn: "this way". Say "this way", turn and walk off. They follow: "yes" and a few treats.
Find it. Say "find it" and scatter five treats on the floor.

Week 1

Game

Name game

Hand target

Mat settle

U-turn: "this way"

Find it

Week 2

Game

D10

D11

D12

D13

D14

Name game

Hand target

Mat settle

U-turn: "this way"

Find it

Move outside when…

The games are easy at home. Repeat any week until it is.
Then play the same games on quiet streets first.
For trigger work, stand beyond your dog's trigger distance. ASPCA example: reacts at 40 feet, start at about 50.
Stiffening, staring, barking or refusing food: you are too close. Step back.
A day of small upsets (doorbell, loud truck, a dog behind a fence)? Skip trigger work, play a home game.

Next: the free dog check (10 questions, about 3 minutes) gives the starting distance for your dog.

From the guide: reactive dog training at home.
Sources: Teaching relaxation exercises to dogs, Today's Veterinary Practice; ASPCA, Dogs who are reactive on-leash (updated May 2020).