Advanced Dog Obedience Training: 6-Week Complete Lesson Plan for Off-Leash Excellence

Dog Obedience Training: Week-by-Week Progression from Foundation Mastery to Advanced Distance Control, Behavior Chains & Real-World Reliability

A comprehensive 6-week advanced obedience lesson plan transforms dogs from reliable-in-controlled-settings to genuinely advanced practitioners: dogs who respond instantly to distance commands, execute complex behavior chains, maintain extended duration stays out of sight, and demonstrate rock-solid reliability in high-distraction real-world environments. Unlike generic training approaches that lack structured progression, a systematic 6-week curriculum ensures deliberate advancement through specific skill milestones, measurable progress tracking, and strategic introduction of advanced elements that build upon verified foundational mastery. This lesson plan is designed for handlers whose dogs have completed basic obedience (sit, down, stay, come, loose leash walking at 90%+ reliability) and are ready for sophisticated advanced training involving distance control, off-leash precision, behavior chains, and real-world environmental proofing.​

This comprehensive 6-week curriculum provides day-by-day training structure: specific exercises for each training day, progressive difficulty increases, measurable mastery criteria for advancing to subsequent weeks, troubleshooting guidance for common week-specific challenges, and detailed implementation protocols for each advanced skill. Whether you’re working independently, training under professional guidance, or preparing for competitive obedience pursuits, this structured plan provides the exact progression that transforms advanced aspiration into achieved expertise.

PRE-WEEK ASSESSMENT: Readiness Verification

Before beginning Week 1, verify your dog meets these prerequisites:​

Foundation Command Reliability Checklist:

• Sit: 95%+ reliability on-leash and off-leash in varied environments
• Down: 95%+ reliability with ability to hold for 30+ seconds
• Stay: Reliable 30-60 second stays at 10+ feet distance
• Come/Recall: 95%+ reliability at 20+ feet distance in moderate distractions
• Loose leash walking: Consistent heel position without pulling for 10+ minutes

Handler Skill Assessment:

• Can deliver clear verbal and hand signals
• Can read dog body language and anticipate performance issues
• Can execute training protocols with consistency
• Understands clicker training or marker words
• Can maintain structured training records

Dog Health Clearance:

• Recent veterinary checkup confirming physical fitness
• Age-appropriate (minimum 12-18 months depending on breed size)
• Physical conditioning allowing 20-30 minute training sessions

If your dog lacks any prerequisite, dedicate 2-4 additional weeks to foundation work before beginning this 6-week plan.​

WEEK 1: Distance Control Foundation & Hand Signal Introduction

Primary Focus: Establishing distance command responsiveness and introducing hand signal alternatives to verbal cues​

Monday & Tuesday: Distance Baseline Assessment (15-20 minutes each session)

Objective: Establish current reliable distance for each command

Protocol:

1. In a secure, moderately distracting environment (quiet park), practice commands at progressively increased distances:
   • Start at 5 feet (baseline)
   • Progress to 10 feet
   • Progress to 15 feet
   • Progress to 20 feet
   • Continue until 3 consecutive non-responses occur
2. Document the distance where your dog consistently responds 95%+ (this is your “reliable baseline distance”)
3. Record performance for:
   • Sit
   • Down
   • Recall (“come”)
   • Stay (30-second duration)

Success Criteria: Clear documentation of baseline reliable distances for each command

Wednesday & Thursday: Hand Signal Foundation (15-20 minutes each session)

Objective: Introduce hand signals paired with verbal cues

Hand Signal Teaching Protocol:

Sit hand signal (upward hand motion or open-palm upward position):

1. Position yourself 3 feet from your dog
2. Say “sit” while simultaneously making the hand signal
3. When dog sits, click and deliver high-value treat
4. Repeat 15-20 times per session

Down hand signal (downward hand motion or lowered open palm):

1. Position yourself 3 feet from your dog
2. Say “down” while making the hand signal
3. When dog lies down, click and deliver reward
4. Repeat 15-20 times

Come hand signal (exaggerated arm motion toward body or specific hand position):

1. Have dog at 5-10 feet distance
2. Say “come” while making the hand signal
3. When dog approaches, click and reward
4. Repeat 15-20 times

Directional hand signals (left/right):

• “Left” signal: Extended left arm pointing left
• “Right” signal: Extended right arm pointing right

1. Practice with your dog at 5 feet distance
2. Use directional lure (treat held in indicated direction)
3. Pair verbal cue with hand signal
4. Reward movement in indicated direction
5. Repeat 10-15 times each direction

Success Criteria: Dog demonstrates recognition of hand signals paired with verbal cues (responds 80%+ of time)

Friday: Mid-Week Assessment & Adjustment

Objective: Evaluate progress and adjust training focus

Assessment Protocol:

1. At your dog’s reliable baseline distance, test each command with both verbal and hand signal:
   • Sit: Verbal-only, Hand signal-only, Combined
   • Down: Same three modalities
   • Come: Same three modalities
2. Record percentage of successful responses for each modality
3. Identify any commands showing lower success with hand signals (these need additional focus next week)

Success Criteria: 80%+ success with hand signals; identified focus areas for Week 2

Weekend: Environmental Practice & Consolidation

Saturday & Sunday (two separate sessions, 10-15 minutes each):

Objective: Consolidate Week 1 learning in varied environments

Protocol:

1. Practice each command at reliable baseline distance
2. Alternate between verbal cues, hand signals, and combined cues
3. Practice in two different environmental contexts (one familiar, one novel)
4. Reward successful responses consistently

Success Criteria: Maintains 90%+ reliability with hand signals across environments

WEEK 2: Extended Distance Progression & Duration Building

Primary Focus: Gradually increasing reliable command distance and building duration for stays​

Monday & Tuesday: Distance Progression Protocol (15-20 minutes each)

Objective: Increase reliable distance by 5-10 feet for each command

Protocol:

Based on your Week 1 baseline reliable distances, progress each command:

Distance Progression Sequence:

1. Identify Week 1 reliable distance for each command
2. Practice 5 repetitions at current reliable distance (ensure 95%+ success)
3. Increase distance by 5 feet
4. Practice 10 repetitions at new distance
5. If 90%+ success, mark as new reliable distance
6. If below 90% success, return to previous distance, practice 5 more repetitions, then attempt increase again

Session Structure (for each command):

• 5 minutes: Practice at previous week’s reliable distance
• 10 minutes: Practice at new increased distance
• 5 minutes: Return to previous reliable distance for confidence building

Success Criteria: Establish new reliable distances (+5-10 feet from Week 1) for sit, down, and recall

Wednesday & Thursday: Duration Extension for Stays (20 minutes each)

Objective: Extend stay duration while increasing distance

Protocol:

Sit-Stay Duration Extension:

1. Position dog at 15-20 feet distance (increased from typical training)
2. Cue sit-stay
3. Duration progression schedule:
   • Start with 30-second baseline
   • Increase by 15 seconds each successful repetition
   • Target: 90 seconds by end of session
4. Perform 5-8 repetitions per session
5. Practice in two different environmental contexts

Down-Stay Duration Extension:

1. Same protocol as sit-stay
2. Target duration: 2-3 minutes by end of session
3. Perform 5 repetitions per session

Stand-Stay Introduction:

1. From stand position, cue “stay”
2. Start with 15-second duration at 10 feet distance
3. Practice 5-8 repetitions
4. Increase distance and duration gradually
5. Target: 1-minute stand-stay at 20 feet by end of week

Success Criteria: Achieve 90-second sit-stay, 2-3 minute down-stay, and 60-second stand-stay at 15-20 feet distance

Friday: Distance/Duration Combination Assessment

Objective: Test simultaneous distance increase and duration extension

Protocol:

1. Combine increased distance with increased duration
2. For example: Sit-stay at 25 feet for 60 seconds
3. Practice 5 repetitions combining both elements
4. Record success rates

Success Criteria: 80%+ success combining distance and duration elements

Weekend: Environmental Variety Practice

Saturday & Sunday (two separate sessions, 15-20 minutes each):

Objective: Proof extended distance and duration across environments

Protocol:

1. Practice new distance/duration skills in completely novel environments
2. Avoid over-practicing in familiar locations
3. Gradually introduce mild distractions (people visible at distance, ambient activity)
4. Maintain 90%+ success rate before progressing to Week 3

Success Criteria: Reliable performance of extended distance/duration commands in novel environments

WEEK 3: Behavior Chains & Complex Sequences

Primary Focus: Teaching multi-step behavior sequences where dog performs series of commands from single initial cue​

Monday & Tuesday: Introduction to Behavior Chains (15-20 minutes each)

Objective: Teach dog to perform 2-3 behaviors in sequence from single initial command

Behavior Chain #1: “Routine” (Sit → Down → Stay 30 seconds)

Teaching Protocol:

1. Start at 5 feet distance
2. Cue “routine” (verbal cue for this specific chain)
3. Dog performs: sit → down → 30-second stay → release
4. Click when complete sequence finishes (not after each individual behavior initially)
5. Deliver high-value reward for entire chain completion
6. Perform 8-10 repetitions per session
7. After 2-3 sessions of consistent success, begin clicking/rewarding intermediate steps to increase precision

Behavior Chain #2: “Performance” (Sit → Bow → Spin → Sit)

Teaching Protocol:

1. Start at 3 feet distance
2. Cue “performance”
3. Dog performs: sit → bow → spin clockwise → sit → release
4. Click chain completion initially
5. Reward highly for successful chain
6. Perform 8 repetitions per session

Key Principle: Initially, reward only chain completion; gradually add intermediate rewards as precision improves​

Wednesday & Thursday: Chain Refinement & Distance Addition (15-20 minutes each)

Objective: Improve chain execution precision and add distance challenge

Protocol:

Precision Refinement:

1. Practice each chain at 5 feet distance
2. Add hand signals for each component behavior
3. Refine timing and transitions between behaviors
4. Target: Clean, smooth transitions with no hesitation

Distance Addition:

1. Move to 10 feet distance
2. Perform chains with both verbal and hand signal cues
3. Perform 5 repetitions of each chain
4. Maintain 90%+ successful chain completion

Advanced Chains Introduction:
Behavior Chain #3: “Sequence” (Down → Back-up 5 feet → Sit → Leave-it with food lure 3 feet away)

1. Start at 3 feet distance
2. Cue “sequence”
3. Dog performs entire chain
4. This chain tests impulse control (leave-it) and coordinated movement (backup)
5. Perform 5-8 repetitions per session

Success Criteria: 90%+ successful completion of 3+ different behavior chains; chains executable at 10 feet distance

Friday: Distraction Introduction During Chains

Objective: Maintain chain performance despite mild environmental distractions

Protocol:

1. Practice chains in environments with mild distractions (people visible, minor activity)
2. Maintain 85%+ successful chain completion
3. Identify chains that deteriorate in distraction (these need additional proofing)

Success Criteria: Reliable chain execution in moderate distractions

Weekend: Environment Variety & Speed Introduction

Saturday: Novel environment chains

• Practice all chains in completely new environment
• Target: 85%+ success rate

Sunday: Tempo variation

• Practice chains at varied speeds
• Maintain precision while varying pace
• Target: Smooth execution at normal, fast, and slow tempos

Success Criteria: Chains maintain reliability across environments and tempos

WEEK 4: Off-Leash Precision & Silent Commands (Hand Signals Only)

Primary Focus: Transitioning to hand signal-only commands (no verbal cues) at various distances​

Monday & Tuesday: Hand Signal Isolation (15-20 minutes each)

Objective: Teach dog to respond to hand signals without verbal cues

Protocol:

Sit from hand signal:

1. At 10 feet distance
2. Deliver ONLY hand signal (no verbal cue)
3. When dog sits, click and reward
4. Perform 15-20 repetitions
5. Success criteria: 90%+ response to hand signal alone

Down from hand signal:

1. Same protocol
2. 15-20 repetitions
3. Target: 90%+ response

Come from hand signal:

1. Same protocol
2. 15-20 repetitions
3. Target: 90%+ response

Directional commands (left/right) from hand signal only:

1. At 10-15 feet distance
2. Dog faces you
3. Deliver directional hand signal only
4. Reward movement in indicated direction
5. Perform 10-15 repetitions each direction
6. Target: 85%+ correct directional response

Wednesday & Thursday: Distance Increase with Silent Commands (15-20 minutes each)

Objective: Increase distances for hand signal-only commands

Protocol:

Progressive distance for hand signal commands:

1. Sit: Increase from 10 feet → 20 feet
2. Down: Increase from 10 feet → 20 feet
3. Come: Increase from 15 feet → 30 feet
4. Stay: Increase from 20 feet → 30 feet

Session structure (for each command):

• 5 minutes: Practice at 10-15 feet (review)
• 10 minutes: Practice at increased distance
• 5 minutes: Return to intermediate distance (confidence building)

Success Criteria: 80%+ success with hand signals at doubled distances from Week 3

Friday: Combination Assessment – Distance + Duration + Hand Signals

Objective: Execute complex combinations simultaneously

Protocol:

Sit-stay combo: Hand signal at 25 feet for 60 seconds

• Cue: Hand signal only
• Duration: 60 seconds
• Distance: 25 feet
• Perform 5 repetitions

Down-stay combo: Hand signal at 25 feet for 2 minutes

• Cue: Hand signal only
• Duration: 2 minutes
• Distance: 25 feet
• Perform 3 repetitions

Come combo: Hand signal at 30 feet distance

• Cue: Hand signal only
• Distance: 30 feet
• Perform 5 repetitions

Success Criteria: 80%+ success on combination executions

Weekend: Environmental Off-Leash Practice

Saturday & Sunday (two separate sessions, 15-20 minutes each):

Objective: Demonstrate off-leash precision in realistic environments

Protocol:

1. Practice in parks or open spaces with moderate environmental activity
2. Perform 10+ commands from hand signal only
3. Mix distance (10-30 feet), command type, and duration
4. Maintain 85%+ success rate

Success Criteria: Reliable off-leash hand signal response in realistic environments

WEEK 5: Environmental Proofing & Distraction Mastery

Primary Focus: Building bulletproof reliability despite real-world distractions​

Monday & Tuesday: Controlled Distraction Introduction (20 minutes each)

Objective: Introduce specific, manageable distractions

Protocol:

Mild Distraction Scenarios:

1. Practice commands while family members walk nearby
2. Practice while other calm dogs are visible at 50+ feet distance
3. Practice while toys are visible nearby (not in path of dog’s movement)
4. Practice while mild sounds occur (music, traffic noise distant)

Each distraction session structure:

• 5 minutes: Baseline commands with no distraction (establish success)
• 10 minutes: Commands with introduced distraction
• 5 minutes: Return to no-distraction baseline (confirm skills maintained)

Command execution with distractions:

• Sit from hand signal: 10 repetitions per distraction type
• Down from hand signal: 10 repetitions per distraction type
• Come from hand signal: 10 repetitions per distraction type
• Stay variations: 5 repetitions each with distraction present

Success Criteria: 85%+ successful command execution with mild distractions present

Wednesday & Thursday: Moderate Distraction Scenarios (20 minutes each)

Objective: Increase distraction intensity while maintaining reliability

Protocol:

Moderate Distractions:

1. Other dogs playing in visible distance (30+ feet away)
2. People moving and activity visible
3. Wildlife activity visible (birds, squirrels if available)
4. Toys moving or bouncing nearby
5. Strong smell stimuli present

Session structure (same as previous days):

• 5 minutes: Baseline no-distraction commands
• 10-15 minutes: Commands with moderate distractions
• 5 minutes: Return to baseline

Distance progression with distractions:

• Sit: 20 feet distance, moderate distraction
• Down: 20 feet distance, moderate distraction
• Come: 25 feet distance, moderate distraction
• Stay: 20 feet distance with 90-second sit-stay, 2-minute down-stay

Success Criteria: 80%+ successful execution with moderate distractions

Friday: High-Distraction Scenario Testing (20 minutes)

Objective: Test reliability in challenging, realistic scenarios

Protocol:

High-Distraction Scenarios:

1. Dog park environment (actual other dogs nearby)
2. Busy park during peak activity
3. Environment with strong prey drive stimuli (if applicable to your dog)
4. Multiple simultaneous distractions

Protocol:

1. Practice 15+ commands in high-distraction setting
2. Vary distances (10-30 feet) and command types
3. Record success rates
4. Identify which command types deteriorate under high distraction

Success Criteria: 75%+ success in high-distraction environments; noted areas for additional proofing

Weekend: Variable Distraction Practice

Saturday: Multi-distraction scenarios

• Combine multiple distraction types simultaneously
• Practice 20+ commands
• Target: 75%+ success rate

Sunday: Novel high-distraction environment

• Practice in completely unfamiliar high-distraction location
• Target: 70-75%+ success rate indicating generalized distraction-proofing

Success Criteria: Demonstrated reliability across variable distraction scenarios

WEEK 6: Integration, Distance Extension & Real-World Mastery

Primary Focus: Combine all advanced skills into comprehensive mastery; extend distances to true remote control​

Monday & Tuesday: Distance Extension to Remote Control (20 minutes each)

Objective: Achieve 40-50+ feet reliable distance command response

Protocol:

Progressive distance increases:

1. Sit: Progress from 20 feet → 30 feet → 40 feet
   • 5 repetitions each distance milestone
   • Success criteria: 85%+ at each level before advancing
2. Down: Progress from 20 feet → 30 feet → 40 feet
   • Same protocol as sit
3. Come: Progress from 30 feet → 40 feet → 50 feet
   • 10 repetitions each distance
   • Target: 90%+ at each level
4. Stay variations (sit-stay, down-stay, stand-stay): Progress from 30 feet → 40 feet
   • Practice 5 repetitions at each distance
   • Target: 80%+ successful stays at extended distances

Session structure:

• 5 minutes: Review previous week’s distances
• 10 minutes: Practice at extended distances
• 5 minutes: Return to intermediate distances for confidence

Success Criteria: Reliable command response at 40-50+ feet distances; commands responsive with hand signals only

Wednesday & Thursday: Complex Chains in Real-World Environments (20 minutes each)

Objective: Execute behavior chains at distance in realistic environments

Protocol:

Behavior chains with distance + real-world context:

1. “Routine” chain: 25 feet distance in dog park environment
2. “Performance” chain: 25 feet distance in busy park
3. “Sequence” chain: 20 feet distance with real distractions present

Each chain session:

• 5 repetitions of each chain type
• Mix distances (15-25 feet)
• High distraction environment
• Target: 75%+ successful chain completion

New complex chain for Week 6 integration:
“Advanced Sequence” (Sit → Down at 30 feet distance → Come on hand signal → Sit in front of you → Bow)

1. Initial practice: 3-5 feet distance, no distractions
2. Progress to 10 feet distance, mild distractions
3. Reach 15-20 feet distance, moderate/high distractions
4. 3-5 repetitions per session
5. Target: 75%+ successful completion

Success Criteria: Reliable chain execution at distance in realistic environments

Friday: Comprehensive Integration Assessment (30 minutes)

Objective: Execute all learned skills in realistic scenario

Protocol – Full Integration Scenario:

Simulate realistic off-leash scenario:

1. Start at 10 feet distance in busy park
2. Execute multiple commands (20+) varying:
   • Distance (10-40 feet)
   • Command type (sit, down, come, stay, behavior chains)
   • Cue modality (hand signal only; some verbal+hand signal combinations)
   • Duration (short-duration and extended-duration stays)
3. Include realistic distractions (other dogs, people, activity)
4. Record success rate for each command category

Success Criteria:

• Overall success rate: 80%+
• Distance commands (20+ feet): 80%+ success
• Behavior chains: 75%+ success
• Extended stays: 75%+ success
• All commands: 80%+ success despite distractions

Weekend: Mastery Consolidation & Goal Achievement Verification

Saturday & Sunday (two separate sessions, 20-30 minutes each):

Objective: Final verification of 6-week learning achievement

Saturday Session – Natural Environment Practice:

1. Visit novel environment with realistic distractions
2. Execute 30+ commands across all categories
3. Document success rates
4. Celebrate achieved advanced obedience

Sunday Session – Competitive-Level Scenario (if interested in competition):

1. Simulate competition environment conditions
2. Practice “stay” with handler out of sight for 3-5 minutes
3. Practice distance recalls at 40+ feet
4. Execute behavior chains with precision focus
5. Record final mastery verification

6-Week Achievement Verification Checklist:

✅ Hand signals reliable at 85%+ (without verbal cues)
✅ Distance commands reliable at 40+ feet
✅ Extended stays: 90-second sit-stay, 2-3 minute down-stay, 60-second stand-stay
✅ Behavior chains: 3+ complex chains executable with 75%+ reliability
✅ Distraction-proofing: 80%+ success with high distractions present
✅ Off-leash performance in realistic environments: 75-80%+ success
✅ Handler communication: Clear, consistent, reliable

Success Criteria: Achievement of all verification checklist items indicates completion of 6-week advanced obedience program

ONGOING MAINTENANCE (Post-Week 6)

Maintenance Protocol for Sustaining Advanced Obedience:

Weekly Training Schedule (Minimum):

• 2-3 advanced obedience sessions (20-30 minutes each)
• 1 distraction-proofing session in challenging environment
• 1 novel environment practice session

Monthly Goals:

• Increase distance by 5-10 feet every 4 weeks
• Introduce 1 new behavior chain monthly
• Practice in 2-3 novel environments monthly
• Maintain 80%+ success rate on all advanced skills

Quarterly Reviews:

• Assess any skill degradation
• Refresh skills showing decreased reliability
• Increase complexity/difficulty if all skills remain 85%+ reliable
• Consider competitive training or advanced sport participation if interested

FAQ Section: 6-Week Program Implementation Questions

Q: What if my dog doesn’t meet the pre-week assessment requirements?
A: Spend 2-4 additional weeks on foundational obedience before starting the 6-week program. The program assumes 90%+ baseline reliability; beginning without this foundation will result in frustration and failed progression.​

Q: Can I adjust the 6-week timeline?
A: Yes, absolutely. Some dogs progress faster; others need more time. If your dog reaches weekly success criteria earlier, advance. If not, repeat the week until criteria are met before progressing.​

Q: How long are training sessions?
A: Sessions range from 15-30 minutes depending on the week and specific focus. Shorter, more frequent sessions often work better than longer single sessions.​

Q: My dog is struggling with Week 3 behavior chains. What should I do?
A: Return to teaching shorter 2-behavior chains rather than 3-behavior chains. Build foundation with simpler chains before progressing to complex sequences.​

Q: Should I use treats for all 6 weeks?
A: Yes initially, then gradually transition to intermittent rewards in later weeks. High-value treats maintain motivation; variable reward schedules prevent dependence.​

Q: Can I do this training independently or do I need a trainer?
A: This plan is designed for independent trainer work, though professional guidance can accelerate progress. If you’ve worked with trainers previously and understand training methodology, independent training is feasible.​

Q: What if my dog regresses during the program?
A: Return to the previous week’s focus. Regression typically indicates progression was too rapid or foundational understanding wasn’t secure enough. Spend additional time on that level before advancing.​

Q: How do I know when my dog has “graduated” the program?
A: When they consistently meet all Week 6 success criteria (80%+ reliability across all categories in realistic distractions), they’ve achieved advanced obedience mastery.​

Conclusion: From Training to Partnership

The 6-week advanced obedience program represents far more than teaching commands; it’s building sophisticated handler-dog communication, developing your dog’s mental capacity, and creating a partnership where your dog genuinely understands complex behavioral expectations and responds reliably despite environmental chaos. Dogs completing this program demonstrate exceptional focus, understand nuanced communication, and display the confidence of well-trained athletes.

The real achievement isn’t just the commands—it’s the relationship and understanding that develops through systematic, consistent training. Your dog learns that engaging with you produces the best outcomes; you learn to communicate clearly and read your dog’s needs accurately. The partnership that emerges from 6 weeks of dedicated training extends far beyond obedience performance into genuine companionship.