Coach Cameron Ciraldo insists Canterbury can arrest their decline before finals, despite their defence failing them in the last fortnight of the NRL regular season.
The Bulldogs received some good news on Sunday morning, with Viliame Kikau avoiding a ban for a late hit on North Queensland half Jake Clifford.
The Canterbury powerhouse can pay a $3000 fine, but will be able to play in their elimination final against Manly on Saturday night.
The Bulldogs need Kikau and the rest of their forward pack to improve significantly if they are to extend their fairytale run deep into September.
The best defensive team in the competition over the opening 25 rounds, and unbeaten at home until that point, the Dogs have unravelled in the past two weeks.
They have conceded a combined 78 points in losses to the Sea Eagles and Cowboys at Accor Stadium.
It has also come as their mobile forward pack, for so long a strength this season, was rolled through by bigger opposition.
Saturday night's 44-6 defeat to North Queensland was particularly poor, as Canterbury battled for field position and only had two play-the-balls on the Cowboys' line all night.
But Ciraldo is adamant the Bulldogs' issues have been their own doing, and they are capable of turning things around before their elimination final.
"There are some simple fixes for us, but we have to do it," Ciraldo said.
"We know what our system looks like and feels like if we get it right. And if we get it right next weekend, we give ourselves a chance to win.
"We have to get the possession right. We have to do a better job of winning field position.
"We completed at 60 per cent (against the Cowboys), no one gives themselves a chance when you do that.
"Certainly in semi-finals, if you do that in semi-finals, you won't be there real long."
Canterbury still hold some hope of hosting Manly next week, but will lose home-ground advantage if the Sea Eagles defeat Cronulla on Sunday.
There is at least some relief coming for the Bulldogs.
Matt Burton's boot will be a welcome addition against Manly after the five-eighth missed Saturday's loss, while Bronson Xerri and Josh Addo-Carr will also return.
Canterbury are also confident there are no concerns over Jacob Kiraz's shoulder, after the winger appeared to be in pain late in the loss to the Cowboys.
"A lot of stuff we need to fix pretty quickly before next week," Ciraldo said.
"There's been some really good reminders in the past two weeks about what wins game and what puts you under pressure in games.
"But what's done is done now. A new competition starts next week and we deserve to be there."
