Crowned K9s Foundations Rescue

Stella’s Go-Home Playbook

Stella · Born Dec 22, 2025 ·

Pit Mix · Private Foundations family playbook

Lead with Confidence, Train with Crowned K9s.

Start here

Yes · Good · Free

These three words are the whole communication system Stella already knows from her time with us. You don’t need special equipment—just say the words at the right time and follow through with treats or praise. Every command in this playbook assumes you’re using this trio the same way.

Yes

Means: “That was correct right now.” Say “Yes” the split-second she does what you want (butt hits the floor on Sit, eyes find you on her name, etc.), then give the treat or praise. Think of it like a camera shutter—you’re capturing one moment so she knows exactly what earned the reward.

Good

Means: “Keep holding that.” Use it when you want her to stay in a behavior a little longer—still sitting on Place, still frozen in Wait at the door—before you end the rep. You can say “Good” once or twice; you’re not feeding yet, just confirming she’s on track.

Free

Means: “We’re done with that request—you can move again.” Free is her release word. After Sit, Down, Place, or Wait, she should wait for “Free” before getting up or walking through. Use “Free” all day (not only in “training time”) so the rule stays obvious: she holds the behavior until she hears it.

Day-to-day habit: Yes → then reward. Good → to extend a hold. Free → to end the hold. Don’t skip Yes before meals, treats, or door greetings if you want her to stay sharp.

Your #1 daytime structure

Overnight & potty rhythm

The four potty triggers

These four events drive almost every potty need. When in doubt, take Stella out—boring trip outside beats an accident inside.

After eating — usually within 5–15 minutes of a meal
After drinking — small bladder = quick trips; don’t skip these
After waking up — nap ends, potty starts (same idea after overnight sleep)
After playing — when play slows down, go out right away

Overnight: Stella is already sleeping through the night—roughly 10:00 PM to 7:30 AM. Keep that window consistent in your home; first trip out when she’s up.

“Hurry up” — her potty cue

When you reach her potty spot, say “Hurry up” once (or as she starts to sniff / squat). Neutral means: no baby talk, no tug or chase—stand boring like a lamp post until she goes. The moment she finishes outside, say “Yes” and pay big (treat, happy tone). She already pairs those words with potty; your job is to keep the phrase and the payoff consistent.

Sample daytime rhythm

Bathroom → short engagement → eat → bathroom (trigger #1) → nap → bathroom (trigger #3) → play → bathroom (trigger #4).

Water & new-home resets

Manage water through the day—constant late-evening drinking can add pressure on a small bladder in a new place.
Last outing before bed; honor all four triggers even when you’re busy.
New home = new habits. If she slips, reset calmly and tighten outings for a few days.

Why this matters: Potty structure is house training. Nail the four triggers and nights stay easier too.

Know your pup

Who Stella is

Personality

Very sweet—she’s been a joy to develop and wants to partner with people.
Well socialized with kids, other dogs, and people—still match intros thoughtfully in a new home so she stays confident.
Loves a good dog bed—give her a clear, comfy place that’s hers.

House rules we recommend

She’s familiar with boundaries. Decide what’s allowed in your home and stay consistent—examples many families use: no unsupervised kitchen, no furniture/couch until you invite her, or gated areas so expectations stay crystal clear.

Clarity = calm. Mixed messages (sometimes allowed on couch, sometimes not) slow everyone down.

Foundations

How Stella learns: keep it simple

Stella has a solid start, not a finished competition routine. These ideas keep practice fair: small wins, short sessions, and clear endings—so neither of you gets frustrated.

The staircase

Train in small steps. If something’s hard, make it easier and win there—then build back up.

The cliffhanger

Keep reps short (often 1–2 minutes). End on a success while she’s still engaged.

The scoreboard

A repetition “counts” when you choose to say Free after she held the behavior. If she pops up early on her own, don’t argue—make the next try shorter or easier, then Yes and pay so she trusts the game again.

Speak less

Use the words she knows; let timing, body language, and rewards do most of the talking.

What she knows

Commands Stella knows

Stella learned these with Crowned K9s using the Yes / Good / Free system above. She recognizes the behaviors; she still needs to learn that your voice, timing, and rewards mean the same thing. Practice in a quiet room first, 3–6 reps at a time, always ending on something she nails. If a word is new to you, read the “Means” line out loud a few times so you’re not guessing mid-session.

Stella (name)

Means

Look at me / check in.

Your practice

Low-distraction games several times a day. Her name = eyes on you, not just “I heard a sound.”

Sit

Means

Bottom on the floor—great default before food, doorways, greetings.

Your practice

Yes when she sits; release with Free when you’re done holding the position.

Down

Means

Settle position—hips down, calmer body.

Your practice

Build short duration with Good, then Free. End on a win.

Place

Means

Go to her bed/mat and stay until Free.

Your practice

One clear spot in each room at first. Reward staying; don’t let her self-release.

Wait

Means

Pause—don’t move through the threshold (crate, door, gate) until Free.

Your practice

Meals, exits, and car loading are perfect practice spots.

Hurry up

Means

Eliminate outside—now.

Your practice

Say it once as she starts; stay boring. When she finishes—Yes and a real payoff.

Come (introduced, not proofed)

Where she’s at

Introduced means she’s heard the word in easy setups. Not proofed means we did not drill it with heavy distance, other dogs, or big distractions—that level takes more time.

Your practice

Only call Come when she’s already likely to move toward you (short distance, low distraction). If you’re not sure, walk over, clip the leash, or use her name + pat your legs—then reward when she commits. We can build a stronger recall in private lessons if you want it rock-solid later.

Not covered in this placement package: Polished leave-it (ignoring food on the ground), touch (nose to hand), and other extras weren’t the focus. If you want them, book private training and we’ll add them step by step.

Calm comes from clarity

Boundaries, doorways, & household manners

Doorway manners

Practice Wait at thresholds—inside doors, outside doors, gates, crate. Release with Free when you’re ready. Impulse control at doorways makes the rest of life easier.

House rules

Pick your boundaries (kitchen, couch, rooms) and keep them consistent. Stella does well when the rules don’t shift day to day.

Place + bed

Use Place and a dog bed she loves as “off switches” during busy home life—meals, guests, TV time.

Welcome home

You’re not on your own

Foundations Rescue means Stella was developed in our program before placement, but your home is new to her—questions are expected. Text or email anytime something feels unclear; we’d rather fix a small confusion early than have you guess.

What you can count on

Questions welcome — text, call, or email as you settle in.
Optional private training — book sessions if you want recall, leave-it, or other skills leveled up.
Same training language — Yes, Good, Free, and the commands in this playbook keep things consistent.

Your next steps

Read this playbook (you’re doing great).
Match sleep, water, and potty rhythm to your routine.
Practice commands in short, happy reps so Stella learns your voice.
Lock in house rules early—then enjoy her sweet, social nature.
Reach out when unsure—don’t guess.