Obedience Classes?

[Darcy & Millie]

I would love to here if anyone has went to obedience classes and felt like it was a "waste"?  I can't make up my mind if I should take Millie or not.  The only class that is offered sounds very basic.  Millie does everything, other than heel that is offered.  So...... would it be a waste of $100 and my time, or should I go regardless?  They start tomorrow!  I keep going back and forth!  UGH!

Thank you for any an all insight you may have!

[Gwyndolyn Morasko]

I'm in the same boat with my two "kids".  I struggle with the same decision.  But they won't allow them to go straight into the next level since they weren't taught by them.  Maybe a more private tutoring?  They really need work on "Heel" and recall to save their lives when they bolt.

[GBK]

I think the experience of a class setting with all the other dogs is worth it, if only for the distractions for your dogs to work through.  I've taken both of mine through multiple advanced classes, and it was worth teaching them to lay or sit stay close to other dogs while I am out of sight.  Now my dogs are so used to a group situation, strange dogs sitting/laying close by, and no anxiety about any of it.  My little one will also not break a sit or stay she is in when she sees a friend walk in, but boy that tail starts a thumping :)  

We used to work on recall in class too, and it was so much fun!  All the dogs in class in a sit stay on one end of the training class and the people on the other.  We all called "dog" come!  Mine always came straight to me, but it was funny how many of the other dogs went to someone other than their person... 

[Robin & Josie]

My opinion, for what it's worth, is that you can never have too much training. We took what might be seen as a waste of a class at Petco. Teacher was barely qualified. We did learn sit, stay, down, leave it and come, but no distraction training, no generalizing. Josie always did great in the classroom, but not anywhere else. Not consistently, anyway. 

Now we are taking a class with a much more qualified trainer that I know I can count on. She can teach all levels and can do the Canine Good Citizen Test (when we're ready). We spent the first class talking without the dogs. She talked about training philosophies and how dogs think, etc. Very helpful.

The training is far more comprehensive and useful in every day life, which is what we're all aiming for, of course. Plus, it's fun for us and for her.

My kids are grown and out of the house, so I don't have to juggle too much to get to the class, but the other people in the class have kids of varying ages and she encourages them to come. Then she uses them in class as distractions. For instance, one exercise had all the dogs (6 all together) in a sit/stay and the kids would come around with a string cheese stick. As they approached each dog, if the dog stayed in their "sit" and didn't jump up, they got a little cheese (Josie will do anything for cheese...) and if they jumped up, the kids would just ignore them and keep on going. It was seriously the most adorable thing to watch her sit there anticipating the visit. She watched as the kids came around and gave some dogs the cheese and some not. We could actually see her little brain saying, "I can do it, I can do it." Her tail was thumping and she was so excited to do the "trick". It was hilarious.

Plus, she addresses individual issues, like my difficulty with distractions when out walking. She has given me some valuable hints on how to keep Josie focused, and also told me that at 5 and half months, she's not gonna be perfect and that's OK. It helped me to be more patient when I'm trying to walk one way and her head is completely turned the other way at the dogs/people behind us.

I think, to be effective, training has to be constant and continuing. I guess it depends on how well behaved you want your dog to be...Some people are satisfied with the basics. Been there, done that with our previous dog and for us, it's worth the effort to have good training...

Anyway, all that to say, yes, I would do it!

[Minda and Callie]

I am in the same kind of class with Callie and love it.  Our trainer does the Canine Good Citizen Test too :) I think they get so much out of being around the other dogs and people.  We started late and only got to go to 3 classes last session and our first class back is tonight.  So looking forward to going back :)

Oh and Callie knew all the stuff already too.  But it was a different atmosphere for her and it really helped.  She even almost won a game of musical chairs with dogs.  The dogs had to be sitting when the music stopped.  She came in third and had only been to two classes.  Still fun and we both learned a lot.  :)

[Kyoko]

I think it is a good positive bonding time, too!

 

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Absolutely a waste, and I have never struggled with that one.  I think those classes are generally for people that are very inexperienced with dogs and dog training and like learning in a group environment.  But going to those classes isn't going to produce an obedient dog any more than "going to the gym" is going to get you in shape if you don't exercise while you are there.  If you need the classes to learn a system for teaching your dog, that could be helpful.  But if you already have a system you are comfortable with I don't see how the classes will help.  It's always a learning process but you will find more info. that is helpful in refining your system online and from knowing and interacting with dog people in real life than you would at those classes.  And what produces an obedient dog isn't just your system but the consistent and skillful application of that system as you go about your training sessions and other daily activities.

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Not a waste. Even if your pup knows everything taught in that class cold, there's no such thing as too much practice - especially around other less-experienced dogs and people and all the chaos that can bring.

[BG and Gavin]

Depends what you like.  If you have the discipline to do it on your own, then go for it.  I think it is kinda like weight watchers.  Some people are successful losing weight on there own, but the majority of people do better when they have to be accountable to someone (like at weight watchers, or a personal trainer or whatever).  I also enjoy the training classes and always looked forward to them as an evening out.  I liked meeting the other dogs and people and watching everyone's progress.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I feel an organized class with other students/dogs is a must. It keeps you going; gives you a little competition to do well; watching others (strengths and weaknesses) teaches you quite a bit. Classes - and practicing for them- offers lots of distractions for the dog to overcome.  The classes have a specific curriculum with skill building upon skill.  We tried PetSmart classes and felt that we didn't get much. Our dogs learned the basic - sit, stay, leave it, heel - but, for a lot of reasons, they were poor classes.  We went to a different type of training class (Kohler method - KMODT) and learned bunches.  The thing you need to do is commit to the class (whatever it is)  and practice, practice, practice. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I really think it depends on the effectiveness of the trainer running the class and how much you actually practice on your own outside of the class.  I've been to classes that were pretty useless because the trainer running them was inexperienced and just parroting what she had read or learned online and then I've been to a class that was run by a knowledgeable, experienced trainer, and that was very helpful.  Also, I really think that you really have to take the time to "do your homework" between classes.

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

I think that the actual "training" part might be a waste of time if she knows the basics. However, I think that these classes are great for socializing your puppy. That is invaluable! Back when Daphne started the puppy class, she too had already learned the basics at home. The trainer quickly realized that and moved her up to a higher level but she asked that we continue to come to the puppy class to socialize her. She learned a lot about getting along with other puppies, puppies play differently with each other than they do with their humans. Now she still loves to play with puppies or smaller dogs as well as those her own size or bigger. Plus it tires them out and a tired puppy is a good thing!

[Adina P]

There's gotta be more than a basics class near you.  Have you asked vets or looked into whether there is a local dog club or obedience club near you?  I know a good trainer about an hour away in Holmen. (I don't know her personally, just from a training forum).

Sometimes basics classes are VERY basic and just go over teaching what you already taught your dog.  Sometimes they help you reteach in a better way and improve the basics.  So...tell me although your dog knows the basics.  Is she SOLID in the basics?  Does she obey under distraction?  Does she obey only on leash?  Find out what the class expectation is and what graduation means for the teacher.  What does she expect the results of class will be?