Class or trainer?

[Donnie]

Any suggestions on either going to an obedience class vs. hiring an individual trainer?

 

I need to work with McGee on his manners.  My main goals would be 1) his safety, 2) he needs much better manners around people, and then maybe later on doing something like flyball or agility would be awesome.  There's a training center in the area that's got classes starting in another week or so, I think I'm gonna try to go by and talk to them and check 'em out.

[Kyoko]

I totlally agree. For the same reasons, I like classes better, too.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

My choice would be classes, with classes he is with other dogs (i.e. distractions). If you just do a trainer he does not get the interaction with others. Our classes consist of walking with a loose leash "by" the other dog and owner, stopping and letting the humans speak while they sit and wait quietly.

Overall it's about behaving in society.

[Adina P]

I vote for classes--it keeps you accountable to doing the work from week to week and having other dogs there is good for distraction work.

[Donnie]

Classes it is then.  Thanks!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I also like classes whenever you can find one with a trainer and method that you're comfortable with.  I did all of Guinness's training in a class setting, and it was perfect for him.  Murph is a little different story...classes, trainer, more classes, more trainer., and finally BOTH at the same time.  He's clearly the exception.

[Becca & Lucy]

I have done both and I really prefer classes. Lucy is young but doing so well. Our goal is to go to therapy dog level. 

The trainer today said that we need to keep going bc she thinks Lucy has what it takes! :) At the training center I go to we cover everything and add those distractions. When we had a private trainer come to the house she thought it was just a fun friend that came over. 

Our class size was only 5 dogs. Its been great! 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I really prefer classes if they are any good.  Our particular PetSmart class was not and the young trainer really let everything slide - there was Ned and only one other dog who's owner did nothing, not even attend each week.  So, what should have been like a private trainer was just slacked off.  Ned learned exactly what he needed at a bare minimum when she could have done so much more.  But, the socialization, distractions, learning from others' mistakes, learning from our own mistakes, modeling, asking questions, and the pressure to keep practicing, can only be found in a class.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I agree with classes too. Besides for the incredible socialization that it gives them, ( I am a huge advocate of socializing your puppies and dogs) it also teaches them proper and acceptable behavior, If I had a trainer come to my house, Jack would behave perfectly, I know he would. Nothing new or exciting, no new challenges, no new chances to learn in a distracted area.

 

I would say a personal trainer would be good if you are having serious behavior issues or something like that. Just my one cents worth...

[Donnie]

Well, we're registered!  Start week after next, and my orientation is next week.  Should be...interesting.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Woo Hoo....good for you!  I can't wait to hear more.

[Donnie]

Went to orientation Thursday evening.  They started out with general facility info (parking, class times, where to come in, etc.).  Then they did a presentation covering all the different tools out there, showed regular collars, martingales, choke chains, prong collars, gentle leaders, and basically said they are all different tools that could be good in some situations, but not in others.  She said probably 80% of people that came in with a choke chain had it on backwards, who knew!, and let us pass around a prong collar to show it looks a lot more menacing than it really is.  They said to just bring what you've been using, whatever it is, and they may make suggestions on trying something different later.  Overall it was very organized and now I'm really looking forward to it more than I was.

 

After the presentation, they did some demonstrations.  The first was flyball.  It was the first time I'd ever seen it live, and it confirmed that I would really like to try it with McGee, it was awesome.  Then they did some rally and competition obedience stuff which was very cool and finished up with agility.  I really like their facility, maybe we'll get into some competitive stuff for McGee.  But that'll be a while.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

It sounds awesome!  Next week with the dogs should really be fun.  Please keep us updated....I love hearing about everyone's experiences.