Course Details
3 WEEK CLASS - A calm connected walk starts with clear communication. In this class, we teach dogs how to respond positively to gentle leash pressure and pair that skill with circle walking to create smoother, more enjoyable outings for both ends of the leash.
We begin by conditioning leash pressure as useful information—not something to fight against. By pairing light pressure with rewards, dogs learn that giving to the leash is the right answer. As their understanding grows, we layer in verbal cues to make the communication even clearer.
Circle walking takes inspiration from horse training, where handlers use circles to regain focus, manage arousal, and help animals approach or retreat from something that worries them. Tight circles help an over‑aroused dog reset; larger circles build rhythm,connection, and forward movement. This same approach-and-retreat pattern gives dogsa safe way to move toward a trigger, then arc away to regain distance without
escalating.
For fearful or anxious dogs, circling keeps them under threshold and teaches them how to turn away instead of reacting. For frustrated or over‑excited dogs, it provides structure, movement, and a clear alternative behavior. And for dogs who aren’t food‑motivated—or won’t eat in distracting environments—this method offers a powerful non‑food tool for loose‑leash walking.
By blending leash‑pressure conditioning with purposeful circling, you’ll build trust, improve communication, and help your dog understand that you can guide them through challenging moments with confidence and clarity.
Teaching Approach:
Having been in the horse world in her younger years, Karen combines her knowledge of how movement with them can affect dogs in the same way. Karen teaches the mechanical skill of how to use the leash as a form of communication with your dog, much like the lead rope on a horse.
Taking your dogs emotional state into consideration, the leash becomes a tactile cue that can be used with or without a verbal cue. Karen will guide you in the process by providing written lectures complete with video examples. Lectures will be released at the beginning of each week for that week. You will get daily individual instruction as a gold student and feedback weekly at Silver. Once foundation is in place, students will get individual guidance and detailed feedback on each post. Forums will be cleared at least 12 times per week.
Instructor: Karen Deeds, CDBC Karen Deeds, is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). She is the co-owner of Canine Connection in Ft. Worth, TX with her husband, Bob Deeds, a retired Federal K9 Handler on Texas Task Force I....(Click here for full bio and to view Karen's upcoming courses)
