RIOS Canine Institute -- Free guides
30-Day Basic Obedience Plan
A free day-by-day home plan that builds name response, sit, down, stay, loose-leash walking, recall, leave-it, and polite greetings -- six teaching days a week with a Sunday recovery day.
What you need
- Small soft training treats
- A flat collar or harness
- A 6-foot leash
- A mat or dog bed
- A marker word or clicker
Week 1 -- Foundations
Build the reward mechanics and first behaviors before asking for anything advanced.
By the end of this week: your dog turns to their name and offers sit, hand-target, and mat-settle with a lure or empty hand.
Day 1 -- Marker & Name Response
Teach that the marker word means a reward is coming.
Say the dog's name in a quiet room, mark and reward instant eye contact. 10 reps, low distraction.
Ready to move on when: Dog turns toward you within 1 second, 8 of 10 reps.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "Dog turns toward you within 1 second, 8 of 10 reps." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 2 -- Sit (Lure to Position)
Introduce sit using a food lure.
Lure with a treat over the nose and up; mark the moment the hips touch down, then reward.
Ready to move on when: 4 of 5 reps with the lure.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "4 of 5 reps with the lure." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 3 -- Sit (Fading the Lure)
Move from luring toward a hand signal.
Use the same hand motion with no food in it; reward from the other hand after the sit.
Ready to move on when: 3 of 5 reps with an empty hand.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "3 of 5 reps with an empty hand." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 4 -- Hand Target
Teach nose-to-palm touch -- useful for guiding position later.
Present a flat palm near the nose; mark and reward any nose contact, then add slight distance.
Ready to move on when: Dog reaches to touch the palm from 1 foot away.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "Dog reaches to touch the palm from 1 foot away." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 5 -- Settle on a Mat (Intro)
Capture calm, relaxed body on a mat or bed.
Reward the dog for lying down or relaxing on a mat with no cue yet -- just catch it happening.
Ready to move on when: Dog chooses the mat unprompted at least once.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "Dog chooses the mat unprompted at least once." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 6 -- Review & Consolidate
Run all four skills in short sets.
Practice name response, sit, hand target, and mat settle in brief sequence; note the weakest one.
Ready to move on when: All four skills complete at yesterday's level.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "All four skills complete at yesterday's level." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 7 -- Rest
Recovery day.
Normal life and care. No new formal training.
Ready to move on when: N/A -- recovery day.
Week 2 -- Down, Stay, and First Leash Skills
Add a second position, duration, and the first leash and impulse-control skills.
By the end of this week: your dog holds a 5-second sit or down stay and takes a few steps of loose-leash walking.
Day 8 -- Down (Lure from Sit)
Introduce down using a food lure from a sit.
Lure the nose down and back until elbows touch the floor; mark and reward.
Ready to move on when: 4 of 5 reps with the lure.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "4 of 5 reps with the lure." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 9 -- Down (Fading the Lure)
Move down toward a hand signal.
Use the same hand motion empty-handed; reward after the down from the other hand.
Ready to move on when: 3 of 5 reps with an empty hand.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "3 of 5 reps with an empty hand." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 10 -- Stay -- Duration (Sit)
Add stillness before the release.
Ask for a sit, wait 3-5 seconds, then use a clear release word before rewarding.
Ready to move on when: 5 seconds still, no distance or distraction added yet.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "5 seconds still, no distance or distraction added yet." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 11 -- Stay -- Duration (Down)
Build the same duration in a down.
Same as Day 10 in the down position. Keep distance and distraction at zero.
Ready to move on when: 5 seconds still in a down.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "5 seconds still in a down." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 12 -- Loose-Leash Walking (Intro)
Reward position at your side in an easy space.
Walk a few steps indoors or in a quiet yard; reward the dog for staying near your leg. Stop moving if the leash tightens.
Ready to move on when: 3 steps of slack-leash walking in a row.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "3 steps of slack-leash walking in a row." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 13 -- Leave-It (Intro)
Build impulse control around food.
Cover a treat with your hand; reward for not pawing or mouthing. Progress to an uncovered item once calm.
Ready to move on when: Dog disengages from the covered treat within 3 seconds.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "Dog disengages from the covered treat within 3 seconds." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 14 -- Rest
Recovery day.
Normal life and care. No new formal training.
Ready to move on when: N/A -- recovery day.
Week 3 -- Recall Foundations and Mild Distraction
Introduce recall safely and add the first easy distractions to existing skills.
By the end of this week: your dog comes when called across a room and holds a stay through one mild distraction.
Day 15 -- Recall Foundations (Indoors)
Build a rewarding recall in an easy setup.
Call the dog's name plus your recall cue from a few feet away; jackpot the reward on arrival. Never call the dog to something unpleasant.
Ready to move on when: Dog comes immediately, 4 of 5 reps.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "Dog comes immediately, 4 of 5 reps." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 16 -- Recall on a Long Line (Yard)
Extend recall distance safely.
Repeat the recall at greater distance using a long line in a secure yard. Do not go off-leash yet.
Ready to move on when: Reliable recall at 15-20 feet on the line.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "Reliable recall at 15-20 feet on the line." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 17 -- Stay + Mild Distraction
Add one easy distraction to sit/down stay.
Introduce light movement or a quiet sound during the stay. If the dog breaks, return to yesterday's easier version.
Ready to move on when: Stay holds through one mild distraction.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "Stay holds through one mild distraction." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 18 -- Polite Greeting
Reward four-paws-on-the-floor greetings.
Have a familiar person approach; reward calm greeting, remove attention if the dog jumps.
Ready to move on when: Dog greets without jumping, 3 of 5 approaches.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "Dog greets without jumping, 3 of 5 approaches." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 19 -- Loose-Leash Walking + Mild Distraction
Take leash skills to a quiet street.
Walk a quiet block; reward check-ins and stop walking when the leash tightens.
Ready to move on when: Dog re-engages with you without a verbal reminder.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "Dog re-engages with you without a verbal reminder." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 20 -- Leave-It + Real Distraction
Raise the difficulty of leave-it.
Practice leave-it with a dropped item on a walk, or a higher-value food than Day 13.
Ready to move on when: Dog leaves the item within 3 seconds, 3 of 5 reps.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "Dog leaves the item within 3 seconds, 3 of 5 reps." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 21 -- Rest
Recovery day.
Normal life and care. No new formal training.
Ready to move on when: N/A -- recovery day.
Week 4 -- Proofing -- Distance, Duration, and Real Life
Add one difficulty at a time and start rehearsing real household moments.
By the end of this week: your dog holds a stay at distance, recalls with a distraction present, and waits at the door.
Day 22 -- Stay -- Add Distance
Build distance into sit/down stay.
Take one step back before returning to reward; add a second step only after success.
Ready to move on when: Stay holds at 3-5 feet of distance.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "Stay holds at 3-5 feet of distance." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 23 -- Stay -- Add Duration
Extend stay toward real-life length.
Extend to 30-60 seconds with calm handler movement nearby.
Ready to move on when: 60 seconds still with mild handler movement.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "60 seconds still with mild handler movement." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 24 -- Recall -- Add Distraction
Combine distance and distraction on recall.
Practice recall on the long line with a mild distraction present, such as a toy or another person.
Ready to move on when: Reliable recall with one distraction present.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "Reliable recall with one distraction present." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 25 -- Loose-Leash Walking -- New Context
Generalize leash walking to a new place.
Walk a new block or park path; reward focus around novel sights and smells.
Ready to move on when: Comparable performance to Day 19 in a new location.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "Comparable performance to Day 19 in a new location." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 26 -- Door Manners
Prevent bolting and rehearse a real household need.
Practice a sit-stay while the front door opens; only release the dog through the door on your cue.
Ready to move on when: Dog holds the stay through a full door open-close cycle.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "Dog holds the stay through a full door open-close cycle." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 27 -- Combine Skills
Chain several behaviors into one real sequence.
Run a short sequence: sit at the door, walk to the car or yard on a loose leash, settle on the mat once inside.
Ready to move on when: Full sequence completed without a reset.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "Full sequence completed without a reset." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 28 -- Rest
Recovery day.
Normal life and care. No new formal training.
Ready to move on when: N/A -- recovery day.
Week 5 -- Integration and Assessment
Confirm the full skill set together and set the maintenance plan.
By the end of this week: every skill in this guide holds up together in one real outing.
Day 29 -- Full Walkthrough
Run every skill once in normal home/yard context.
Practice sit, down, stay, recall, loose-leash walking, leave-it, greeting, and mat settle in one session; note the weakest skill.
Ready to move on when: Every skill performed at its trained level.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "Every skill performed at its trained level." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Day 30 -- Real-Life Test & Maintenance Plan
Confirm the skills hold up on an actual outing.
Practice the full set during a real errand or walk. Write down which skill needs continued practice and at what difficulty to keep advancing.
Ready to move on when: Skills transfer to the real outing; maintenance plan written.
If it's not working: If your dog isn't hitting "Skills transfer to the real outing; maintenance plan written." yet, repeat today at yesterday's easier version and reward more often before adding anything new -- do not push forward on a skill that isn't holding.
Where you land
Your dog now has a working set of everyday obedience -- name response, sit, down, stay, loose-leash walking, recall, leave-it, and polite greetings -- and you have a written note on which skill still needs the most practice.
Keep it, or level up