Too Cool for School?

                                                                   

I attended my first obedience training class with my first puppy, a sweet Airedale named Clover.  She was actually my second dog; the first was Cosmo, a senior Airedale adopted from a shelter.  Cosmo was a handful, and I knew I needed to develop some training skills if the new kid was going to be civilized.  That was back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and dog training was much different than what it is now.  The fine art of teaching dogs has evolved over the years, thankfully, and training has become much more dog-friendly.  Every one of my dogs since Clover has attended training classes with me. 

Why take your dog to classes when you could do the job at home?  For one thing, classes keep us honest.  We don’t want to have the worst dog in class, so we do our homework and work with our dogs daily.  Classes provide new experiences–regular trips in the car, other dogs and people, new sights and sounds.  (In our classes distractions include barn cats, toads, the occasional mouse, and dive-bombing barn swallows!)  A knowledgeable instructor can help when we’re having difficulty with a particular lesson, and should be able to help with many common behavior problems.  If something that be handled in a class setting, a good instructor can either offer private lessons or refer the client and dog to someone who can help. 

How do you choose the right class for you and your dog?  First, what is your goal?  If your objective is to have a pet that is well-behaved at home and elsewhere, look for a class that emphasizes training for the family pet.  If you want to earn Rally Obedience or traditional Obedience titles with your dog, family pet classes may work for you if the instructor has a competition history, hopefully with several dogs.  But, if your goal is to earn very high scores in Obedience or Agility trials, the specialized training required may mean that you will be better off in courses offered by a dog training club or a professional who specializes in those fields.  If your goal is to have your pet work in pet-assisted therapy, family pet training classes are a great start but you may need further training with a group that is experienced in training therapy dogs.  But for most of us, a good pet obedience class is the right choice. 

Whatever type of class you choose, talk to the instructors and observe some classes.  Does the instructor have the knowledge and experience to work with a wide variety of breeds and mixes, and common behavior problems?  Are they interested in every student, and not just those who have the instructor’s favorite breed or are doing the best?  Do the students look like they’re happy to be there?  How does the instructor handle shy dogs or pushy dogs?  What is the policy on aggressive dogs?  (Many aggressive dogs need private training before they are safe in a class situation.)   

Are you comfortable with their training methods?  Do they seem too harsh, or do they seem ineffective?  Are you looking for a class that stresses positive training methods with a minimum of physical corrections, or are you more comfortable in a more “old school” approach?  If you feel that the newer positive methods are preferable, do you want 100% positive or will you accept some physical corrections if they seem needed?  There is a lot to think about! 

Those of us who have been training for eons still take our dogs to training classes, especially to puppy kindergarten classes.  There’s no substitute for working in a group setting, especially if you want your dog to behave well anywhere you bring him.  For recommendations, ask your veterinarian if he or she has a preference, or talk to someone whose dog is well behaved if they have a recommendation.  Groomers are also a good source of information, as are local humane societies and rescue groups.

Classes can and should be fun for you and your dog, and as an extra benefit you’ll meet some really nice people who love their dogs as much as you do yours.

 

 

By Dorothy Miner 

Dorothy Miner is a long-time dog obedience and tracking instructor, judge of canine events, and author.  She teaches weekly classes for the Allen Correctional Institution’s PETS Program and provides training and consultation under the banner of “Sidekicks” and “Training for Dogs and Their People.”