Obedience Road with Connie Cleveland

25/11/2025

Join Connie for Part 2 of her free monthly Facebook Live series, “Preventing and Managing Common Problems.”

This month’s topic: Drop on Recall

Connie will break down some of the most common challenges teams face, including:
➡️ Anticipating the drop
➡️ Failure to drop
➡️ Traveling forward on the drop
➡️ And more

Learn why these issues happen — and what you can do to fix them.

📍Mark your calendar and join us live right here on the Obedience Road page!

25/11/2025

We're experiencing an internet outage! Postponing our Facebook Live to 8:15 Eastern!

12/11/2025

On the Scent Article exercise, you have a choice.

✅You can turn and sit and then send for the article, or
✅You can send your dog directly to the article pile.

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬

The turn and sit offers more control for the excited dog and probably makes it easier for the small dog to locate the pile. However, the turn and sit gives the judge one more sit to judge, and it can be a momentum killer for a dog that is not overly enthusiastic about the exercise. A common complaint about sending directly to the pile is that the dog may not turn tight and will lose points for a wide turn. This video offers a technique to teach your dog to “send directly.” It’s fun to practice and you can start now, even if you have not started teaching the Scent Article exercise.

There's no harm in trying. Ultimately if you decide you want your dog to turn and sit, transitioning from sending directly to a turn and sit is not difficult. In fact, it's much easier than teaching a dog that is in the habit of sitting to continue to go without an additional command.

04/11/2025

𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭,
𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠?

𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝑨𝒏𝒚𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆.

When the days get shorter, it’s easy to feel like your training time disappears.

But great progress can still happen right in your living room.

In this free video series, Connie shows you simple, effective ways to train when it’s too cold, too dark, or just not possible to get out and train.

You’ll be surprised by how much meaningful work you can do - with no fancy space or equipment required.

https://www.obedienceroad.com/training-at-home

IT'S FREE!

Get instant access to the "Training at Home" series and discover how productive your “stuck at home" days can be.

In this free video series, Connie shows you simple, effective ways to train when it’s too cold, too dark, or just not possible to get out and train. You’ll be surprised by how much meaningful work you can do—with no fancy space or equipment required.

02/10/2025

Some lessons in dog training come easily. Others you only learn the hard way.

Years ago, my Golden, Caleb, developed a problem that seemed like it might end his career. I was frustrated with him - the harder I tried to “fix” the problem, the worse it got. I was certain he was being stubborn, willful and disobedient. I assumed the worst.

And then I realized—I was wrong.

That wrong assumption nearly ended Caleb’s career and could have ruined our relationship. Instead, it became one of the most important lessons I’ve ever learned in dog training.

I share the full story, and the lesson that changed me as a trainer, in my blog post: Assuming the Worst.

I’m going to share a training secret that is one of the most important I know — and it describes one of the worst dog training mistakes I have made, too. When dealing with a dog, there is nothing more damaging to a relationship than assuming willful disobedience.

17/09/2025

FREE Webinar Replay!

Do you struggle with a dog that is engaged & attentive in training ... but is slow and disinterested in the ring? You’re not alone - and this free webinar replay with Connie can help!

Webinar: Great in Training, Deflates in the Ring

You’ll learn how to:

✔️ Understand why your dog "shuts down."
✔️ Maintain focus and motivation throughout your performance.
✔️ Make training and showing look alike.
✔️ … and more!

Do you struggle with a dog that is engaged and attentive in training, but slow and disinterested in the ring? You are not alone! Listen to Connie speak to this problem in this webinar- "Great in Training, Deflates in the Ring." It’s free! You can watch it here!

31/07/2025

Obedience Road closes tonight at midnight ... and will not open again until next year!

This is your chance to join a community of dedicated trainers, grow your skills, and receive personal feedback and trial support - all while working toward your goals.

It’s my heart’s desire to help you succeed. If you’re ready to take the next step in your training journey, I’d love for you to join us on Obedience Road!

Don’t wait, enrollment closes tonight at midnight!

31/07/2025

Have you been thinking of joining Obedience Road? Don’t delay, enrollment closes TONIGHT!!

Joining Obedience Road gives you everything you need to train with confidence and achieve your goals. Here’s what you’ll get when you work with us:

✨ Step-by-Step Instructions
You’ll have access to a comprehensive library, teaching you how to train and proof every obedience exercise. Whether you’re just starting or preparing for the NOC, we’ve got you covered.

✨ Trainer Development
With regular webinars and training tips, you’ll learn strategies to refine your skills, solve training challenges, and compete confidently.

✨ Personalized Support
Never feel stuck. You’ll have the opportunity to reach out whenever you need guidance, support, or video review.

You can cancel your membership anytime, but you can only join until July 31. We encourage you to give Obedience Road a try—we’re confident you’ll find more information, help, and support than you ever imagined.

30/07/2025

Obedience Road members don’t just train hard—they succeed!
Last year, our community earned over 950 Obedience and Rally titles across all levels!

Inside Obedience Road, you’ll find:
✔️ Modules on Preparing to Show & Choreographing Your Performance
✔️ Tools for Goal Setting and Analyzing Your Performance
✔️ Strategies for Problem Solving in the Ring—when things don’t go as planned
✔️ Insights from AKC judges, so you can step into the ring with confidence

You’ll find the guidance, support, and real-world strategy to help you reach your next obedience goal.

Enrollment closes July 31.

We’d love to support you on your obedience journey.

30/07/2025

It’s a common—and incredibly frustrating—problem.
You stand your dog, walk to the end of the ring, turn around, and they’re looking right at you.

You give the drop signal and… nothing. Just a blank stare.

Here's how to tackle that in training:
🔹 Add value to the down. Use your reward marker and reinforce the moment your dog's elbows hits the ground.
🔹 Isolate the signal. Stand → walk away → turn → drop → mark → reward.
🔹 50% of the time, mark and pay the down without continuing the sequence.

💡 “50% of the time, I mark and pay the down—I don’t go on.”
Build value. Create clarity. Watch your signals improve.

Obedience Road Closes July 31!

28/07/2025

You work hard in training—but without a clear plan, it’s easy to second-guess your progress.

That’s why I built Obedience Road: a complete, step-by-step program that guides you from your very first CD all the way to your Obedience Trial Championship.

Inside, you’ll find:
▪️Over 300 in-depth training videos
▪️Regular webinars to further develop your skills
▪️Personalized coaching when you need help solving problems
▪️A supportive community of handlers working toward the same goals

Whether you're just getting started or chasing your next title, Obedience Road gives you a roadmap—and the support system—to get there.

Enrollment closes July 31.

👉 Join Now and start making steady, confident progress.

26/07/2025

Got a Show Tomorrow? Get Help Tonight!

You’re at a show. Your dog makes a mistake—and now you’re wondering what to do before stepping back in the ring tomorrow.

What if you could get expert help… tonight?

As an Obedience Road member, you can.

Just send Connie a quick message on WhatsApp and explain what happened. She’ll help you:

✔️ Figure out what caused the mistake
✔️ Create a simple, focused training session for that evening
✔️ Adjust your handling to set your dog up for success the next day

You can fix it overnight—and you don’t have to guess how.

This kind of personal coaching is only available to Obedience Road members.

Enrollment closes July 31.

👉 Join Obedience Road today and have a coach in your corner—every step of the way.