Real-life practice for dogs who have big feelings around other dogs, people or the world around them and find everyday walks difficult.

Calm & Connected Supported Group Walks are small, carefully managed walks, giving you the opportunity to practise around other dogs at a distance that works for you, with support and guidance.

Your dog might be nervous, frustrated, over-excited or easily overwhelmed. They may lunge, pull, stare, become very excited or struggle to listen to you on walks.

These walks can be a chance to practise skills you've already learnt in a group class or 1:1, or simply to give your dog the experience of being around other dogs in a supportive, managed environment. You'll also be around other owners who understand that not every dog needs to say hello!

Not sure whether a Supported Group Walk is right for your dog? Please get in touch and we can have a chat before you book.

If I haven't met you and your dog before, I'll get in touch before your first session for a quick chat to make sure the group is the right fit for you.

What happens on a walk?

Sessions last approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour and groups are deliberately small, with plenty of space between each dog.

Walks are held in carefully selected public spaces in the Chesterfield area, so we can practise in real-life situations while keeping things as manageable as possible.

Although we call it a group walk, the aim isn't to cover lots of miles! We'll usually walk a relatively short distance, giving the dogs plenty of time and space to take in their surroundings, move, sniff and practise being around other dogs.

Depending on your dog's needs, we might practise:

• finding a comfortable distance from other dogs
• walking and moving around other dogs
• checking in with you
• food searches and sniffing
• moving away when something becomes too difficult
• simply walking in the presence of other dogs

We may stop, create more distance, change direction or spend some time in one area depending on what the dogs need.

Sometimes the most useful thing a dog can practise is simply being there and realising they don't have to do anything about the other dogs.

The focus is on positive, manageable real-life experiences rather than how far we walk. Sometimes a successful session might involve very little walking at all.

These aren't traditional training classes where I'll be teaching lots of new exercises. They're an opportunity to practise what you and your dog already know, or simply experience being around other dogs in a carefully managed real-life setting, with me there to offer support and guidance when you need it.

Working at your dog's pace

There isn't one distance that's right for every dog.

One dog might be happily walking twenty metres away while another needs much more space. Another might be ready to walk past a dog or move a little closer.

We'll use your dog's body language and behaviour to decide what is appropriate.

The goal isn't to see how close we can get.

It's to create successful experiences your dog can learn from, while helping you feel more confident about supporting them on your everyday walks.

What Calm & Connected isn't

It isn't about forcing dogs to face things they're frightened of or aren't currently able to cope with.

It isn't about dogs greeting each other if they aren't ready.

It isn't about correcting reactions.

It isn't about expecting perfect behaviour.

dates & times

• Thursday 22nd October 1pm - Holymoorside, Chesterfield
• Thursday 5th November 1pm - Loundsley Green, Chesterfield
• Thursday 19th November 1pm - Loundsley Green, Chesterfield

Price

£19 per session