Those of you who have followed me for a while probably noticed that group classes are my absolute favourite mode of dog training.
Elsewhere, I have elaborated on the different dog training services that exist—individual classes, group classes, board-and-train programs—and explained in detail the advantages of each.
What is my personal preference? Group classes, any given day.
In no other mode of training have I noticed mental and physical changes as dramatic as the ones people go through in group classes. No matter the problem they came with—aggressive dog, fearful dog, or stubborn dog—the transformations are remarkable.
The reasons for this success are very simple and logical.
First, group classes allow us to construct a non-laboratory environment that teaches skills applicable in everyday life. We do not play “threshold” games, shielding dogs and people from real life or luring them into a false sense of success or safety by teaching skills that will never hold up outside of the classroom. We teach what is important, and we teach it with the “yesterday” mindset, not “sometime in the future maybe.” This approach has downsides, such as a particularly intense learning curve, but the ultimate success rate is incredibly high.
Second, group classes allow us to model life situations and make them as absurd or creative as imagination desires. We can train scenarios such as meeting another dog, encountering a friendly stranger, crossing a road, meeting an off-leash dog, passing multiple dogs on a narrow sidewalk, and many more. While we cannot cover all walking-dog scenarios, this ability to rehearse common, life-like situations prepares dogs and handlers for real-world challenges.
Third and most important, group classes are designed for handlers so they can learn how to train their own dogs. We teach people, and those people then apply their skills to teach their dogs. The beauty of it? People become invested, more capable handlers, and they build long-lasting, strong relationships with their animals.
There is truly nothing like going through a bootcamp or group class with your dog and coming out victorious. The overwhelming feeling of achieving something great is unforgettable.
So whenever someone reaches out asking what type of training would be suitable for them, I never hesitate: group class. Stop hesitating too—give it a try, and experience it for yourself.