Dog Training Schedule Template
Free editable dog training schedule with a puppy weekly grid, an adult obedience proofing board, and a behavior-correction table. Plan commands, session length, and progress — no vet or behavioral advice.
Use this templateWhat you get
- Three scenes: puppy basics, adult obedience, and behavior correction
- Command × day × done grid with session length and progress marks
- Training plan only — no medication, diagnosis, or veterinary advice
What this template is for
A dog training schedule is what keeps a handful of commands from turning into a vague intention. Instead of training 'sometime this week,' it puts each command on a row, a session length in every cell, and a done mark you fill in as the dog gets it. The structure that works is command × day × done: sit, down, come, and heel across the week, with short sessions and a check when the behavior holds. This template gives you three scenes to adapt. The puppy scene is a weekly grid — one core command per row, seven days across, each cell holding a session length and a progress mark (new, practice, solid). The adult obedience scene proofs the same commands through three stages: indoors, outdoors, then with distraction, because a command only counts once it holds around real triggers. The behavior-correction scene is a mapping table: each problem behavior (jumping up, pulling, barking, chewing) gets a replacement cue, a daily practice amount, and a progress note. Every command, stage, and duration is a replaceable cell, and commands are color-coded so the whole plan reads at a glance. This template structures a training plan; it does not diagnose behavior problems or replace a veterinarian or certified trainer.
When to use this template
- Train a new puppy on sit, down, come, and heel across a seven-day grid.
- Proof an adult dog's commands from indoors to outdoors to distraction.
- Swap a problem behavior for a replacement cue and track daily practice.
- Keep sessions short — 3 to 5 minutes for a puppy — and mark progress per command.
- Share the plan with the whole household so everyone uses the same cues.
- Reuse the same schedule for a new dog, updating commands and durations.
How to use it
- 1Pick the commands your dog needs first — sit, down, come, heel, or stay.
- 2Decide the session length for each command and write it in the cell.
- 3Train one command per row, a few short reps a day, not one long session.
- 4Mark each cell new, practice, or solid as the command becomes reliable.
- 5Move a command to the next stage only when it works eight times out of ten.
- 6Track one problem behavior at a time and teach the replacement cue daily.
Quick example
Puppy week one
Related resources
How it compares to similar tools
Puppy vs. adult dog training
A puppy learns one new command at a time in 3–5 minute bursts, so the schedule is a day-by-day grid. An adult dog is usually past the basics, so the schedule becomes proofing — the same commands, tested indoors, outdoors, and with distraction.
Training schedule vs. feeding log
A feeding log records what and when a dog eats. A training schedule records what the dog is learning — commands, session length, and progress. This template is the second one; it does not track meals, treats, or weight.
Schedule vs. hiring a trainer
A schedule is the plan you run yourself and share with the household; a trainer diagnoses and corrects problems in person. The template gives the plan structure without the cost, and it still works alongside a trainer as a practice log.
Common mistakes to avoid
Training without a fixed session length
Sessions that drag on lose the dog's focus. Write a length — 3 to 5 minutes for a puppy — and stop on a success, not when the dog is bored.
Training every command at once
Loading sit, down, come, and heel into one session confuses the dog. One command per row, a few reps a day.
Skipping the distraction stage
A command that works indoors often falls apart outside. Proof it outdoors and around distraction before calling it solid.
Punishing instead of teaching a replacement
Behavior problems are fixed by teaching what to do instead — sit to greet, heel, trade for a toy — not by punishment.
Not marking progress
Without a done mark per cell, you cannot tell what is improving. Mark new, practice, and solid so progress stays visible.
Frequently asked questions
What is a dog training schedule?+
A dog training schedule is a plan that maps commands — sit, down, come, heel — to days and session lengths, with a progress mark you fill in as the dog learns. This template lays it out as command × day × done.
How long should a puppy training session be?+
Three to five minutes, a few times a day. Puppies learn in short bursts, so the schedule uses short sessions and stops on a success rather than running until the puppy is bored.
What commands should I train first?+
Sit, down, come, and heel are the core four, plus stay for an adult dog. Train one command per row, a handful of reps a day, before moving on.
How do I proof a command around distraction?+
Take the command through three stages — indoors, outdoors, then with distraction — and only move on when it holds eight times out of ten. A command that works in a quiet room is not reliable yet.
How do I fix a problem behavior like jumping or pulling?+
Teach a replacement cue: sit to greet instead of jumping, heel instead of pulling, quiet-then-settle instead of barking, trade-for-a-toy instead of chewing. Practice it daily and track one behavior at a time.
Does this template replace a trainer or vet?+
No. The template structures a training plan — commands, session length, and progress. It does not diagnose behavior problems and does not give medical or veterinary advice.
Start editing online
Open the template in CodePic, replace the sample content, and make it your own in a few minutes.
See examples: /templates/dog-training-schedule/examples
