Going Solo

This is a BIG deal - I’m really proud that you’re taking this next step.

Benji: < 12 months
Medium Golden Doodle

  • Initial Assessment: Dec 2 2025

  • Dec 11: 23 sec

  • Dec 17: 25 sec

  • Jan 6: 24 sec

  • Jan 13: 3 min (Solo 1 - itchy at 50s)

  • Jan 20: Test KEY cue in Final Step

  • Jan 23: did not finish assessment

  • Jan 24: 2 mins (Solo 2 - Frozen at door)

  • Jan 26: Neutered (two weeks off)

  • Feb 5: Started Fluoxetine

  • Feb 9: 1:15 (Solo 3)

  • Feb 15: Test LOCK cue in Final Step

  • Feb 23: 1:30 (Dropped all PDQs until Target Time >5 min)

  • Feb 24: Going Solo

Download mission plan pdf

Benji: Going Solo Plan - April 2026

Continue building Alone Time. Fluoxetine should be full onboarded now. Check with your vet that you are using the max dose range for Benji’s weight. You can drop to the lower dose once he’s around the 40 - 60 min milestone.

We’ve removed the KEY and LOCK cue for now. They can be reintroduced once Benji’s Alone Time is around 5 mins.

Watch out for Benji Freezing at the door during reassessments. Lack of movement is just as important as traditional stress cues such as barking and jumping up.

Your First Mission Plan:

Current assessed time: 1 min 30 sec (no PDQs included)

  • EASY missions - 15 to 20 sec

  • MEDIUM mission - around 45 sec

  • PUSH mission - around 1 min 15 sec

Benji’s assessed time is currently under 2 mins, so the number of warm-up steps per mission is between 7 - 9, with the length of each warm-up step between 5s - 20s.

General guidelines for creating your weekly Mission Plan:

Length of Final Step in mission:

Easy: 5 - 25% of assessed time

Medium: 30 - 50% of assessed time

Push: 60 - 80% of assessed time

Benji’s currently under 2 mins

EASY missions - 15s to 20s

MEDIUM mission - around 45s

PUSH mission - around 1 min 15s

Length of Warm Up Steps

  • Assessed Time under 10s: between 1s - 5s

  • Under 1 min: 2s - 10s

  • Under 2 mins: 5s - 20s

  • Under 5 mins: 5s - 30s

  • Above 5 mins: 10s - 60s

Download Mission Plan pdf

# of Warm Up Steps:

  • Under 1 min: 8 - 11 steps

  • 1 - 5 mins: 7 - 9 steps

  • 5 - 15 mins: 6 - 8 steps

  • 15 - 30 mins: 3 - 6 steps

  • 30 mins+ : 0 - 2 step

EASY mission = less steps

PUSH mission = more steps

Aim to do 2-3 EASY / MEDIUM missions each week, plus 1 PUSH mission (assuming everything is going smoothly). Mix up the challenge level, and remember to take days off. Reassessment can either be done weekly or biweekly depending on your schedule.

Part 1: Solo Assessments & Mission Plans

How to write use the reassessment to create your Mission Plan.

Video: 11 mins

Bonus Masterclass: The Correlation Between Pain & Behaviour.

There is a HUGE correlation between PAIN and BEHAVIOUR, but unfortunately pain can be really hard to identify - even for professionals.

This Masterclass is a must watch for all pet parents. It’s packed full of practical tips, including example of what to look out for, and past case studies.

This Masterclass was recorded in 2025 as part of Annika’s group couching program at Canine Connection Training.

Help! I’m stuck!

Option 1.

Send me an email. There’s probably a simple answer and I’m always happy to pop onto a Zoom call and have a quick chat.

Option 2.

If you need a little more help and guidance - especially if you’re dealing with a tough regression - book a Deep Dive with me though Canine Connection Training. This includes a weeks work of support and custom missions.