Obedience classes - how well do they work?

[mojo-rizin]

I have never taken any of my dogs to obedience classes. I have done pretty well training my two smaller dogs on my own. However, my standard is a HANDFULL!! He really needs focus, and it is hard getting him to do much for me. I have enrolled him in obedience classes with a local trainer who uses positive reinforcement training, and seems to be very reputable. She is also a CGC evaluator.

It is basically a pre-school class, but here is what she teaches:

Attention
Come command
Stays in a sit and down position
Socialization
Greet people with out jumping up on them
Sit and Down on command
Leave it command
Controlled leash walking


My question is, how well do these group classes work? Has anyone had any experience with these kinds of classes?

 

[Charliesmommy]

IMO they work very well IF AND ONLY IF you do your homework. A lot of people think that they can just go to class 1 hour a week for 6 weeks, and voila! the dog is trained. Not so. Obedience classes are more to teach you how to train your dog, then you have to go home and keep it up.

Classes are great for socialization and for teaching your puppy to get used to distractions in training, plus you have a trainer right there to ask questions as they arise. By the time you are done with the class your pup should have the basics down, but you HAVE to keep working with them to reinforce them.

That was the biggest mistake I made, was not working with Charlie consistently.

 

[Dekka]

IT depends greatly on the instructor. But not matter how great your teacher is, if you don't do your homework, its a waste of money and their time.

I teach obed and agility. Its really obvious if someone isn't doing their homework. I love the classes where everyone practices, the progress can be astounding.

 

[mojo-rizin]

I will definitely practice, I just need some help getting started. I enjoy training, but I need a nudge in the right direction with this one!

 

[adojrts]

Agreed!! It is so easy as an instructor to know who isn't doing their homework!!

 

[BostonBanker]

I took Meg to obedience classes at the school I used to teach at. I knew the information inside and out, but having a set schedule to work with really helped me. I always wanted Meg to be the best one in the class, so that always made me work that much harder during the week! I don't think I would have been nearly as motivated if I wasn't in a class.

I think it is also good to have someone else see you work. It's amazing what little signals I give, both physically and verbally, that I don't even notice. Having someone say, "what in the world is you left hand doing?" or "STOP REPEATING THE COMMAND" is also very helpful .

 

[mojo-rizin]

I took Meg to obedience classes at the school I used to teach at. I knew the information inside and out, but having a set schedule to work with really helped me. I always wanted Meg to be the best one in the class, so that always made me work that much harder during the week! I don't think I would have been nearly as motivated if I wasn't in a class.

I think it is also good to have someone else see you work. It's amazing what little signals I give, both physically and verbally, that I don't even notice. Having someone say, "what in the world is you left hand doing?" or "STOP REPEATING THE COMMAND" is also very helpful .

LOL! I want my boy to be the best in the class too! It also helps that I am going with a co-worker and her 2 year old lhasa. We have to beat them! Competition helps!

 

[Lissa]

I like taking group classes for the distraction training and because the structure helps stop me from slacking off... I find that without a course every few months I lull myself into practicing the same things over and over which stops challenging us to be better!

However, I can't stress enough how much depends on the instructor. I've had too many trainer's who have incredible amounts of knowledge to share but cannot "control" the class, don't lay foundations first, don't adjust the "recipe" of the course to fit the calss, don't express dog behaviour/training philosophies clearly, or how to motivate a dog that isn't "easy" or focus solely on the dog-handler who need the most help etc... So I think its really important that you see the intructor in action both in a theory environment, as well as in group class (with dogs).
It's also important that you know what your goals are - if you want to compete in a specific venue, its best learned with a trainer who is "into the details" and/or who is as up to date as possible with current training ideas for that sport (if not actively competing). Otherwise you often end up having to re-train things - which is a great learning experience but it can cause setbacks.

 

[adojrts]

its best learned with a trainer who is "into the details" and/or who is as up to date as possible with current training ideas for that sport (if not actively competing). Otherwise you often end up having to re-train things - which is a great learning experience but it can cause setbacks.

AMEN to that

 

[MafiaPrincess]

We've had good and bad classes. Our petsmart ob one was actually good, as the trainer rocked. I wish she'd quit and start her own school or join a pre existing one. If it hadn't been for that class I don't think we'd be where we are now.

I too enjoy knowing I need to do my homework so I can't clack as class will happen in a week. Versus I may slack if just training something random.

Some trainers I've had who I heard great things abotu were and are great, but didn't know how to teach things to me for my smaller dog. Almost every class we've taken, every dog but mine has been lab sized. Not everyone has had tips and tricks to accommodate us if we aren't doing too well..

All and all I like classes. I've learned more even on basic things than I would have alone.

 

[TopShelfPets]

I really liked taking classes. they always helped, and because i didn't want to be embarrassed, i worked really hard with Jager during the week.

I went through 2 sessions with the same trainer, who was awesome. She was very good at adjusting things so that the dogs had the right amount of stimulation, and she always made it fun. She set down rules at the beginning and I found it very helpful to find out how to train Jager to do something.

 

[heartdogs]

I'm a trainer, and I still take my pups to my colleague's puppy classes just for the socialization and value of meeting different people, and interacting with kids (I don't have any). My pups generally know all the commands by the time we get there, but it's still valuable for them to learn that they aren't the doggy center of the universe.
And, of course, I do my homework, too.:lol-sign:

 

[ToscasMom]

I opted to do private One on One training before doing classes. I just figured I could get more mileage out of Tosca that way and, mostly because I needed to learn a lot about how to train her. So the One on One was perfect for me and I was able to correct mistakes I had already begun to make as well as learn how to properly be my dog's leader. After we did our basic learning that way and got lots of practice in, then I went to the intermediate group class with her. It was kind of rough on her because most of the dogs were older than she was, but I was able to skip the basics class and my main purpose was to get her to socialize with other dogs and to be able to respond in an environment where other dogs could be a distraction. It was a good experience. I don't know if that is what the professionals on this board recommend but it worked for me. At first I thought it was just a way to grab more money when my trainer recommended One on One, but I was REALLY glad I did it that way and it was well worth the extra bucks to do the One on One first.

 

[Xerxes]

I think that classes are a great idea for the majority of people. IF you can find a trainer whose methods you agree with, and one that you feel comfortable with-jump in with both feet.

Besides, like most have said, classes are more for YOU to learn how to interact and communicate with your dog-and to teach YOU how to be your dog's most favorite thing.

 

[heartdogs]

my main purpose was to get her to socialize with other dogs

I assume that Tosca had some socialization prior to the one on one training or going to class, but just a reminder to the newbies and lurkers - don't do one on one in place of class if your dog has not had adequate socialization between the ages of 8-12 weeks of age. If you miss that window, some dogs have difficulties playing nicely with others their whole lives.

 

[DanL]

These are all great responses and I can't think of anything more to add, except to say, good job everyone!

 

[ToscasMom]

I assume that Tosca had some socialization prior to the one on one training or going to class,

Prior to the One on One, she had about as much socialization as a dog can get in three weeks, which was how long I had her and how long it took me to realize that if I didn't go learn how to train my dog ASAP, she was going to be training me instead.

Since I did one on one for 8 weeks with plenty of socialization between sessions, that would have made roughly 8 weeks of socialization with people, places and animals before she attended the group class. However, before group class, she had never been socialized with more than one other dog at any given time. She had no problem within the group, but she was younger than they were age-wise.