Positive Dog Training Plan Generator

Frequently asked questions

Is this training plan written by AI, or based on generic advice?

Neither. The Training Plan Generator is a rule-based, deterministic engine — the same inputs always produce the same plan, and no AI or language model writes any part of it. Every cue, milestone, and management rule comes from a structured data library: 12 training cues, 6 issue-management modules, 6 life-stage rule sets, and 12 goal templates, all referencing AVSAB, AAHA, AKC, and Merck Veterinary Manual guidance. See the methodology below for the full breakdown.

What happens if my dog has a bite history or shows aggression?

Before anything else, seven safety gates check for bite history, aggression (mild and severe), separation panic, sudden medical/behaviour changes, fear/anxiety severity, and current aversive-tool use. If a serious gate triggers — a bite that broke skin, severe aggression, or signs of separation panic, for example — the tool does not generate a standard training plan. Instead it returns a "professional help" or "vet first" result with management guidance and the type of professional to contact. Milder signals (e.g. occasional growling) allow a normal plan to proceed with an added caution note.

Does this tool ever recommend e-collars, prong collars, or other aversive methods?

No, never. Every cue progression in the cue library uses positive-reinforcement methods only — luring, shaping, and reward-based fading. The engine enforces a hard no-aversives constraint: e-collars, prong collars, choke chains, alpha rolls, and flooding are never part of a generated plan. If you tell the tool you currently use an aversive tool or method, it adds a caution flag and a humane-alternatives note rather than building that method into your plan. This constraint is enforced in CI on every build.

How is the weekly roadmap structured?

Plan length depends on your goal — 3 weeks for crate comfort or polite greetings, up to 6 weeks for a rescue-dog reset, with most goals at 4-5 weeks. Every plan follows the same four-phase arc regardless of length: weeks in the first quarter focus on foundation (name response, first cue on a lure); the second quarter fades the lure and adds the verbal cue; the third quarter adds duration, distance, and mild distractions; the final quarter consolidates the behaviour in real-world conditions and sets up a maintenance routine.

Does selecting my dog's breed change the training plan?

Selecting a breed adds breed-aware context without changing the core cue sequence or timeline. High-energy breeds get a note to provide physical exercise before training sessions; heat-sensitive breeds (including brachycephalic breeds) get a note to train indoors or in cool hours; breeds with a high barking tendency get a realistic-expectations note. If your breed belongs to one of the 7 AKC groups, you'll also see group-level training tendencies (for example, Herding-group dogs often benefit from extra settle/place work) with a link to that group's profile. None of this changes which cues are taught or in what order — it only adjusts the supporting notes.

Is this a replacement for a professional dog trainer or behaviorist?

No. This tool is an educational starting point for reward-based training, not a substitute for hands-on professional help — especially for behaviour problems involving aggression, fear, or separation anxiety. Every full plan includes a "When to get professional help" section listing the type of professional to contact (certified trainer, CAAB, or veterinary behaviorist) and the questions worth asking them. If a safety gate triggers, that referral becomes the primary result instead of a training plan.