Knowing just how many different things I want to train Voodoo, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all. How will I ensure I am progressing through the check lists for everything and not skipping or missing something important?
So I came up with this system:
I have a pencil cup full of “craft sticks”. On each stick is something I want to work on (& for which I have a training check list). Each day, I’ll pick out some sticks at random and note the next steps for each that will be worked on that day. Then I’ll put those sticks into the other jar. This will continue each day till all the sticks are moved to the other cup. Then the process will be repeated. This will ensure everything gets worked on and I’m working on the next steps in the progression for each thing.
Each of the 42 sticks in the cup in the photo above has a different thing to be worked on, so he has a LOT to learn! But by breaking down each thing into very manageable steps, using a training check list, it should all move along smoothly.
As behaviors are mastered, it can go in a “maintenance” jar. Or if something needs more attention, it might get put back in the original jar, giving it more times “in the rotation”. I think this will work better than the weekly check list I used for Dazzle.
Raising a Genius Puppy 