Problem plan and help list

One row per problem: what happens before, what the dog gets, the management change, the replacement behavior, who does what and the result after a week. And the names of the people you would call. Stored in this browser.

For a first pass, the help list is essential for everyone: Proof it and keep going asks for two names on it, your veterinarian and one credentialed professional, even if you never call either. The problem plan is essential for any problem on your setup list; write one row and work it for a week before starting a second. Without a plan, people tend to try something new every day, which makes it impossible to tell what worked.

Problem plan

One row per problem. If the status is "needs a professional", the plan is management only until that person has seen the dog.

Everyday problems teaches the method: what happens before, what the dog gets out of it, what to manage so it cannot be practiced, what to reward instead, and who does what. The replacement behavior is one the dog already does on the word (check the cue inventory).

Help list

The people you would call, written down before you need them. Fill it in even if you never call anyone.

Proof it and keep going explains what each credential requires and where to search. The questions were seeded from the chapter; edit them.

How to use these sheets

• One problem per row. "Bad on walks" is three problems (pulling, lunging, eating things); split it.
• Before and after are observations. Write what happens, not what you think the dog means by it.
• Who does what names people. A plan that only one person follows usually stalls.
• "Needs a professional" means the plan is management only until that person has seen the dog. Growling, snapping and guarding, and any bite history, start with that status.