“I absolutely cannot say enough about this course.”
That’s how one professional trainer described In Chains: Backchaining From A–Z.
She thought her behaviors were fluent.
They weren’t.
Backchaining showed her exactly where the gaps were — and how to fix them.
Within five minutes of applying Catja’s feedback, a long-standing retrieve problem disappeared.
This is what this course does.
It doesn’t decorate training.
It reveals it.
Why backchaining changes everything
Backchaining is often described as “simple.”
But when used properly, it exposes:
• weak cues
• false fluency
• missing reinforcement history
• handler habits that quietly sabotage chains
And that’s why it works.
Instead of guessing, correcting, or patching problems later, you learn how to build chains that hold — calmly, cleanly, and deliberately.
What students say
“Often, I THOUGHT a behavior was fluent, but putting it into a chain showed me it still needed work. This was extremely eye-opening.”
“This course was phenomenal — not overwhelming, but it required dedication. I found myself checking the site constantly because I couldn’t wait for the next lesson.”
“Within minutes of applying Catja’s feedback, my dog was willingly taking and holding the dumbbell — and that was before we even started chaining.”
“If I’m being honest… I will first look for courses taught by Catja.”
— Heather Gillihan, professional trainer
What you’ll learn
Over six weeks, Catja will guide you through:
• how backchaining really works (and where it fails)
• why forward chaining often creates fragile behavior
• how to assess true fluency before chaining
• how to add cues to already fluent behaviors
• why some cues feel effortless — and others feel heavy
• what breaks when a chain breaks
• how to respond when errors appear
• testing, proofing, and handler responsibility
• practicing chains with and without dogs
This is not fast training.
It’s clear training.
Who this course is for
This course is best suited for teams who already have:
• several fluent behaviors
• at least three reliable cues trained with R+
You can apply backchaining to:
• everyday life skills
• tricks and enrichment
• sport and competition behaviors
What matters most is not what you chain —
but that you’re ready to learn how chains actually work.
📅 Starts February 1, 2026
👩🏫 Taught by Catja B. Pedersen
Course Testimonials
I absolutely cannot say enough about this course, and our instructor, Catja! This was my very first experience with Tromplo, but it definitely will not be my last! First, let me address the course itself: “In chains! Backchaining from A-Z” was phenomenal! Let me say though, that it is not for the faint of heart. It takes time each week to work on the homework, as you must create, practice, video, and upload your chains and assignments. It was not overwhelming, or too much, by any stretch, but it did take dedication. I often found myself checking the site multiple times on days that a new lesson was coming out, as I was excited to get started! Not only did we learn about the PROCESS of backchaining, but also the rationale behind why it is often the superior method to achieve the results and reliability we so often crave. I also learned the importance of REAL fluency in a behavior, and why it must be achieved prior to including it in a chain. Often, I THOUGHT a behavior was fluent, but putting it into a chain showed me that the individual behavior still needed work. This was extremely eye-opening for me.
Now for our “instructor extraordinaire”: Catja, is beyond words. I am a dog trainer by profession, and originally was just looking for something fun to do with my dog during the COVID down time. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but Catja blew me away from day 1! Let me give you an example: I was having trouble getting my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to take and hold a dumbbell from my hand. I have trained other dogs to retrieve, but was having difficulty with this dog. I uploaded a video for Catja to see, and I was floored by her insight! Within 5 minutes of applying her comments and suggestions on my video, my dog was willingly taking the dumbbell from my hand and holding it for several seconds before I asked for the release. And that was BEFORE we began the chaining work. Catja is thorough in her explanations, details, demos, and assignments, and even more so when replying to the videos we submit. She is patient, kind, and encouraging with her comments and suggestions, and her thoughtful manner makes you want to work harder to get results. I will definitely be back to Tromplo, and… if I’m being honest… will first look for courses taught by Catja!
June 30, 2023