When you aren’t sure what to expect when you get to the training class, it can be confusing to decide which class to register for. Many owners think they will be able to train their dogs in a group, but the truth is that group training is much more complicated than that. While distractions are present, dogs learn, owners get instructions on dealing with normal situations, and both can develop concentration on non-owning other dogs and people. It is important to be familiar with the concept of group training so that owners can determine if this is the training style that is suitable for their dog.
Training Around Real-World Distractions
One great benefit of group dog training classes is that you can practice when other dogs and humans are in the vicinity. A dog that’s happy when you ask them to leave, when a different dog walks by may cause them to bark.
It is a normal difference. Dogs must learn to behave in unfamiliar situations, and group situations can offer a controlled distraction for learning.
A good class guides dogs through a series of steps to become accustomed to each new degree of excitement rather than demanding 100% obedience right off the bat. Owners can develop strategies to ensure their own attention and reinforce appropriate responses before distractions become too much.
What Dogs Can Learn in Class
Depending on the level and the training objectives, group training can be used to teach various practical skills. Obedience could involve returning to known commands, focus on handler, movement and/or settling.
The setting also provides dogs with practice in behaviors that they cannot do just as easily at home. These can all be learned as normal tasks that can help your dog!
The goal should not be to simply fill the time in class with command drills! The bigger picture is to teach the owners what to continue doing in training situations.
Socialization Is More Than Playing
There are opportunities for a dog to meet other dogs and humans in a dog training socialization classes that can be used to expose a dog to other animals and humans without it being a play session.
Sometimes a dog must learn that meeting another dog doesn’t have to imply that he or she must approach that dog. It is important to stay calm, discuss with the owner and proceed with an activity.
Owners can also be trained to understand how to tell when their dogs are becoming overstimulated or uncomfortable. Sometimes it is helpful to create some space and/or change the activity at the right time in order to avoid an interaction that could be made unnecessarily difficult if left.
Owners Are Part of the Training
A group class isn’t just a class in which someone else trains your dog. Owners need to engage and be able to communicate with their dogs during training.
The trainer can demonstrate technique (s), and the owner must be able to practice them. This will help to identify smaller issues that perhaps wouldn’t have been detected otherwise.
For instance, an owner might find that a cue is being repeated a number of times before the dog performs the cue. Learning to provide effective instructions and correct reinforcement at the correct time for the behavior can help training to be more consistent throughout the day.
Group Training Is Not Right for Every Dog
Group classes can be beneficial, but are not always the right option for every dog. If a dog is extremely stressed when around other dogs or not comfortable being in a pack, then a more individual approach may be needed.
Before enrolling, owners should take into account their dog’s temperament and prior training, and their dog’s current behavior. It is also beneficial to inquire about class size, training techniques and progression.
A good trainer should be able to describe what they do to help different dogs when they are at a really difficult exercise.
Make the Lessons Useful at Home
Skills are more relevant when practiced when they are needed in the normal routines. Short at-home sessions can help refresh the dog’s memory of the learning when it is still in its familiar environment.
Owners can then practice by slowly increasing distractions instead of transferring all of the skills to the dog flawlessly after the first class. The consistency in the way household members approach the learning is also critical, as it can make the learning more difficult if there are mixed approaches.
This will gradually build a habit of doing the right thing in a normal environment, not just when it is being taught.
Conclusion
Obedience, attention and calm around realistic distractions can be a great benefit for dogs in group training. It provides practical advice and tips that can be implemented in the day-to-day operations of the business. There needs to be structure in the right class whilst also taking into account the needs and learning rate of each individual dog. CanineMoxy.com has training resources and options for professional group training and/or structured canine education that you may want to consider exploring.
