Creating a Successful Training Plan for Your Dog

When I get a dog, whether for my business or for myself, I always have a clear idea of the purpose of the dog. I may develop it to become a detection dog, a dual-purpose dog, or, in the case of my newest addition, Halo, a sports dog.  

Having clarity on your goals and vision will help you understand where to start with training. The points below will help you get started.

1. Have a clear goal or vision in mind. Consider where you want the dog to be. Will it be competing in IGP, working as an operational police dog in an urban area, or serving as a detection dog in a correctional centre, or are you developing a green dog open to any job role in the future? Whatever it is, keep this goal in mind and consider writing it down in a dog training journal.

2. Write down a list of behaviours. List all the behaviours that align with your training goals/vision. These behaviours can be fundamental, like “sit” and “down” to more specialised skills, depending on the dog’s intended role. For example, if you are training a dog for explosive detection, behaviours such as open area search, directional training, and reliable recall would be essential. On the other hand, for IGP sports, focused heeling is important, while loose leash walking might suffice for a detection dog. Write down all the behaviours you can think of. Some behaviours are pretty similar. Don’t overcomplicate it. A “long down” is just a down with added distance; it’s not another behaviour! If you’re unsure about the behaviours needed for your goals, consult someone who does know or do some research.

3. Once you have your list, write down the cue for each behaviour. A cue can be visual, auditory, olfactory, or tactile. 

4. You have the behaviour; you have the cue; now it comes down to the precision of the behaviour. What will the behaviour look like? Writing it down helps. It helps create a clear picture of what you are aiming for. Some people might not care if their dog’s sit is with both legs to the side; some people prefer the dog to sit straight up. A “down” can refer to a lazy position where the dog uses their elbows to lower themselves to the ground, leaning to one side. However, you can also train the dog to fold down, which is a smoother and quicker motion that looks more impressive for the sport.

With the points outlined above, you have created a list of goals. You now understand the behaviours you need to train, how those behaviours will look, and the cues you want to incorporate. This clarity helps maintain consistency and establishes clear criteria. 

Always remember that each dog has its own unique limitations. The goals above are what we aim for, but it might not always be perfect. Nevertheless, let’s shoot for the stars anyway.