Calm Canines 1 Course

Teach your dog how to be calm in a structured, controlled environment with these online dog training videos.

Introduction to Calm Canines 1 Online Dog Training Course

Dogs normally never reach a calm state of mind without our help, as their normal reactions to something new are fight, flight, and avoidance.


We help teach calm and focus through basic obedience work, proper leash walking skills, and impulse control. The benefits of teaching your dog to be calm are tremendous, from lessening destructive tendencies and easing anxiety, to learning new ways to focus your dog’s energy into productive and fun training sessions and outings.

Calm Canines 1 Handout – Downloadable PDF Calm Canines 1 Handout – Downloadable PDF Lesson 7

Lesson 1

Calm Canines 1

Introduction (Class #1)

We will be discussing the class format and goals.

The goal of training is to develop communication that both you and your dog understand. In order to for your communication to be completely understood, both you and your dog need to practice this communication regularly. Repetition, time and consistency are the tools need to ensure complete and understood communication of the new language you are forming. 

Lesson 2

Calm Canines 1

Introducing the Slip Leash

(Class #2)

Teaching your dog the concept of pressure. The handler will hold consistent pressure and wait patiently

until the dog sits before releasing pressure. Two things are happening during this time, the

understanding of impulse control (the dog is learning he cannot follow every impulse he has without

owner’s permission), and at the same time learning the conversation of pressure. During the first class

we will focus completely on teaching the dog to sit using the leash.



  • Goal - Always have a loose leash next to you while sitting.
  • Trainer Tips – Make sure pressure is released at the beginning of the sit. Apply pressure when the dog stands. Only give praise when your dog is relaxed and sitting next to you calmly. Praise slowly and gently.
  • Homework – Practice sit with the leash using pressure on/pressure off. This foundation is so important before moving on, so practice for 15-25 minutes three times per day!

Lesson 3

Calm Canines 1

Practicing Leash Work

(Class #3)

Starting your Walk and Outside Turns - The beginning stages of walking. In class 3 we discuss setting the tone for a calm walk. Think about how you usually start your walk with your dog. Is there a lot of excitement? Does your dog associate you putting your shoes on/getting the leash ready with being excitable? Are you very vocal as you’re getting ready (Good Boy! Who wants a walk?!). Instead we are going to start our walks calmly. Once the leash goes on, apply pressure until he sits, and then talk in a calm voice. We will be conditioning  the dog to stay calm through the doorways and during the beginning of the walks. Next, we will be teaching your dog to follow you through outside turns.


  • Goal – Be able to open the door without your dog standing up and rushing out. Your dog should remain next to you until YOU make the first step. During the outside turns your dog should notice the pressure when you turn and follow you to release pressure.
  • Trainer Tips – Doorways are very exciting to dogs. These are great opportunities to teach calm. Your dog should be sitting next to you calmly on a loose leash before walking through the doorway. Your dog should walk next to you with a loose leash and follow you when you turn.
  • Homework – Continue to lengthen the amount of time your dog can sit next to you on a loose leash. Practice calm next to and going through doorways. Practice outside turns until you need less and less corrections.

Lesson 4

Calm Canines 1

Outside Turns, Focus Work, Stay, Recall.

(Class #4)

Inside Turns - We will be going over inside turns, which require a bit more focus from your dog. You will be walking

into his space (a resource for dogs) so he will need to watch your body language and understand how

you want him to move. This takes more focus on your dog’s behalf because he cannot follow his

impulses as he wishes in case you change direction. We will also be walking the dogs next to each

other to add another layer of impulse control.


  • Goal – Be able to walk through inside and outside turns without corrections. Walk next to other people and dogs with minimal corrections.
  • Trainer Tips – The timing of your praise is important because it marks the exact behavior you’re looking for. Dogs live completely in the moment which is why the timing of any rewards needs to be spot on. Your energy is the most important piece of the puzzle, if you are tight on your leash and tense with your body language while walking by other dogs, your dog will sense that energy and act on impulses. If you are calm and assertive while walking, he will be more relaxed and follow you calmly.
  • Homework – Continue to create calm leash skills, practice inside and outside turns. Practice with doorways. Continue to lengthen the amount of time your dog can sit next to you on a loose leash.

Sit and Recall- Making a positive association with your recall is very important. In the beginning stages of teaching a recall you will be working on focus as well. You will hold a treat above your dog while they are in a sit. You want to slowly bring food down to them as they hold the sit, if the dog jumps or becomes  pushy for food, you simply move the food away from them. Once you are able to get the food to their mouth, you want to make a recall noise at the same time to create your association.


  • Goal – Making a positive association between food and your recall
  • Trainer Tip – Repetition and consistency are key. Make sure you are practicing in a controlled space to communicate easier with your dog
  • Homework – Practice recall 3-4 times a day for 15-20 minutes

Lesson 5

Calm Canines 1

Inside Turns, Lay Down, Greetings

(Class #5)

Walking - Continue to increase walking times on a loose lead. Continue to work on inside and outside turns.

Continue to increase the level of challenges and reward calm. We will be working on any areas that

might need more clarification or more practice.


  • Goal – Loose leash through turns, calm around doorways, calm around other dogs and people.
  • Trainer Tip – Remember, as a teacher you’re there to guide them through the difficult situations and encourage and praise the right behavior. “You get what you pet!”
  • Homework – Continue leash work, tune into your dog and understand his/her level of training, introduce appropriate challenges at home. Set your dog up for success! Do not introduce a challenge unless you are confident your dog will have the ability to work through it. Remember 9:1 ratio!

Down - We will be teaching your dog to lay down in a three step approach. The first by having your dog crawl

under your leg, once the dog is in a lay down position, you will take the ground and say down, then

reward. Step 2 will be having them perform the same command while you are kneeling. The third step will be having them do the command while you are standing.


  • Goal – Having your dog do a down command while standing
  • Trainer Tip – If your dog is struggling with any one of the steps, go back a step and rebuild the down command
  • Homework – Practice down 3-4 times a day for 15 – 20 minutes

Lesson 6

Calm Canines 1

Bringing It All Together

(Class #6)

On Leash Greetings - Meeting other dogs on leash can be tricky depending on your dog. There are many factors to consider before approaching another dog on leash. We will be discussing correct ways to meet other people/dogs

on leash as well as advocating for your dog.


  • Goal – Being able to approach another dog and handler on leash with no reaction
  • Trainer Tips – It is more important that your dog is calm and under control then shaking the persons hand you are meeting. So make sure you and your dog are comfortable before moving forward
  • Homework – Practice on leash greetings

Stay - We will be using the same exercise that we taught recall, to teach stay. Once again put the food above your dogs head until they sit, slowly bring the food down to your dog and reward for patience. Practice this a few times until your dog is holding the position. Then when you put your hand up, say “stay” and hold one finger up. Then slowly move your food down again. You are now marking the time before the patience, which will become a stay. Start to move your feet around slowly to desensitize your dog to movement.


  • Goal – Being able to take a few steps away from your dog while they hold a stay
  • Trainer tip – If you keep moving too far back and your dog breaks the stay command, they are telling you that you are moving too fast. Take less steps and continue to reward when they are right.
  • Homework – Practice “Stay” 3-4 times a day for 10-15 minutes

Lesson 7

Calm Canines 1

Testing Your Skills

(Class #7)

Courses are set up  in the class in this video that are designed to challenge your knowledge.


  • “You get what you pet!”
  • “Before you tell them NO, tell them where to go”
  • “Patience over persistence!”
  • “Baby steps create success”
  • “If you are blaming, you are complaining, if you are complaining, you should be training”
  • “The difference between the master and the student, is the master has failed more times than the student has tried"
Calm Canines 1 Handout – Downloadable PDF Calm Canines 1 Handout – Downloadable PDF
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