CLASSES OR PRIVATE TRAINING: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR ME, AND FOR MY DOG?
CLASSES OR PRIVATE TRAINING:
WHICH IS RIGHT FOR ME, AND FOR MY DOG?
Part of my job is helping people decide whether to come to classes, or do private training. Here are some of things I have them consider:
TIME
For people who work, this is a biggie. Day Training as an option means that I will come to you and do the training for you, and then transfer the new behaviors to you at regular intervals.
Day Training benefits those who:
Cannot make classes due to their schedule,
Feel over their head when it comes to training
Aren’t that interested in the process of training – not everyone is - but would love to have a trained dog!
Have physical limitations that make participating in training difficult.
AGE
Let’s talk Puppies and Early Socialization. We know now that placing Fear Prevention over Disease Concerns is the recommendation of the Veterinary Behavior world. This is because we only have this one short window of opportunity– from 4, up to 12-16 weeks old! - for careful prevention and socialization work that will affect the rest of our lives together. Missing out on this window means risking behavioral issues down the road which will be much more difficult - not to mention heartbreaking and expensive - to address.
I love group classes for puppies because:
Camaraderie.
Everyone is dealing with the same issues, Biting, Jumping, House-Training, Chew-Training. I see so many lifelong friendships –dogs and people – grow out of this time together.
Built-In Opportunities.
Other people and puppies, are the best learning opportunities for your puppy. A room full of a variety of people and puppies provides us with more options during socialization.
Laughter is the Best Medicine.
Group classes in general, but especially puppies, are a big happy laugh-fest. Sharing this love of the antics of young dogs, is just a gift. I imagine that if we could measure the upsurge in our Happy Hormones after Puppy Classes and Playgroups, it would be astronomical.
Private Socialization.
I do offer Private Socialization Packages, because I know class is not always an option, in which we get all of the same things done with well-crafted setups and field trips. These Packages include admission to Puppy Playgroup so that they will get the benefit of groups of people and the opportunity to play and learn with their age group; a very important piece of their earliest development.
BEHAVIOR and PERSONALITY
Group classes are not for every person, nor every dog. For these I recommend private training, either Day Training or Coaching.
Some examples might be:
People and dogs with social anxiety. It’s hard to concentrate, and thus to learn, when you are feeling anxious the whole time. Some anxiety is normal, but high levels of fear and anxiety are not a good fit here.
Dogs who don’t like, or are afraid of other dogs. We strive to protect these dogs, not overwhelm them with the things they fear. The days of ‘Let Them Work It Out’ are thankfully behind us. Protecting these dogs while we help them change how they feel is the path to success.
True for people too!
ACCOUNTABILITY
Group classes may hold people more accountable to practicing the things they are learning. For years I tried to get a regular home Yoga practice going but found that I did better when I was in a weekly class. I was more likely to practice.
The same is true for people with dogs. Showing up at class and making progress is good inspiration! And if you are at all competitive, – ahem not looking in the mirror here - group class might spark you to strive for more, in a fun and positive way!
FUN
Modern, force-free dog training is FUN! Science- and Evidence-Based Dog Trainers are no longer the strict authoritarians of old. Group classes now are often filled with laughter and games, and even some light-hearted competitions! You should leave class not only with new skills to practice, but feeling a bit lighter. I mean, that is really such a win-win! The goodness of dogs and people learning together is something to celebrate, not dread.
To find a Certified, Force- Free trainer for Private or Class training, START HERE.
To find an Academy for Dog Trainers trainer, like me, GO HERE
Thumbnail Photo: Photo by Gerd Altmann from Pexels