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Pupforum presents your training questions answered by professional dog trainers.
Lynne has been training dogs since 1985. She has worked as head trainer for two facilities, a studio trainer (print ads, commercials and television) and as a continuing ed and certification rep for what was then the largest dog training company in the US. Lynne is a member of the IACP and keeps her training techniques current by attending various seminars and reading books. She currently competes in the sport of schutzhund, has a registered therapy dog, and has started her young Papillion in agility. Lynne owns and runs Blazing Trails K9 Academy in Santa Clarita/Antelope valley California.
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6/23/2005
Several times a day I refer people to my group classes. Many times people are happy to practice with their dog in public and help their pet gain more sophisticated social skills. But there is the occasional owner that seems to grow very concerned about bringing their dog to a group class. “But he’ll EMBARRASS me!” is a common concern among many of these owners. Today I want to take a minute to address this concern, and help dog owners to have a more enjoyable experience in group class.
First, always check with your group instructor first to make sure your dog is a good match for the class, and that the class is a good match for your dog. Well run group classes are a great place to socialize dogs that need to learn public manners, practice obedience commands around heavier distractions, and to meet and commiserate with other dog owners who may have similar problems. Generally it’s a less expensive training option because you don’t get the individualized attention you would get in private in home lessons. It requires more work from you, and is usually rather generalized and basic in its approach. All classes are different. Some classes are organized and well run, and others are chaotic. Sometimes the instructor has lots of experience, and other times the instructor is a volunteer with minimal experience. Even different classes from the same instructor are different because of various group dynamics. It’s important to first find a good group class. This article is geared more towards having a good experience in a good group class you’ve already found.
First, try not to let anything embarrass you. Most of the more experienced instructors have seen it all. I’ve been peed on, snapped at, jumped on, drooled on, knocked over, pulled over, and had a myriad of the other things occur that can happen when you put a group of people and dogs together. Most people are so worried about what their own dog is doing that they’re not focused on yours at all. Sometimes I have clients that are embarrassed at the rate at which their dog learns. Please understand that each dog is an individual and just like people, learn at a different rate. Learning can be affected by health of the handler and the dog, breed, age, skill levels and coordination as well as external stimulus like what else is going on in class (is there a female in heat in the neighborhood close by?). As long as you do the homework and are making progress, your dog is learning and you’re doing well.
Exercise the dog before class. Sometimes taking the edge off of a very hyperactive dog helps keep him calmer during class. Exercise also releases endorphins which can benefit both dog and handler before coming to group class. Of course if you have a pooch that likes to lay around all day and prefers nap time to class time, it may not be wise to COMPLETELY wear him out before class. Better to just take a short walk to wake him up.
If possible, bring a kennel carrier to class and either leave it in your car or set it up just outside your vehicle. If you begin to feel too frustrated with the dog, or too hot or tired or cranky, it m
ight help to let the dog take a break while you take a few minutes to calm down and gear yourself up for more. If you can’t set up a carrier, try quietly asking the instructor if you can have a couple minutes to walk the dog away for a water break. This can give you enough time to relax for a minute, take a few deep breaths, and get ready to go back and do some more. It’s not good to train when emotions are swelling. If you’re frustrated or angry, the dog can sense it and it can impede learning.
Keep a training log. Every day after doing your homework, take a couple of minutes to take notes on what you did that day, any problems you had, questions to remember to ask the instructor, and list your goals for the next day. Many times people practice the same thing over and over again and don’t realize it. This helps you to remember what has been done. Has distance been added on the stay? What kinds of distractions are going on around the dog? Was there a problem with a passing cat? Was it really hot outside and causing you or your dog to not complete a session? Jotting down a quick note in a training log/diary helps make for smoother training sessions later. It helps break down your training so that progress, setbacks or patterns are seen more clearly. I once had a dog that would only stay for 12 seconds. I had not realized that during training I would without thinking sit stay him for 12 seconds repetitively. He quickly learned that I wanted a 12 second stay and would get up when that time was done. Keeping a training log helped me to figure out the pattern.
If you have a question for the trainer, ask it! Other students may have the same question. If it’s not at an appropriate time, the instructor may let you know, but should at some point answer it. Also, sometimes the instructor may recommend something that you’re not sure how to implement or maybe that you’re not comfortable with. Ask them why they’re recommending that. Much of the time there’s a reason they recommend certain things and asking about it may clear it up. You know YOUR dog better then anyone and can explain your concerns, but remember many instructors know dogs in general better and can help only if you accept their advice.
Learn to recognize signs of stress in dogs. They may pant excessively, pace back and forth, yawn, lick their lips excessively, become extra hyper, their eyes may dilate, or you may see sweaty paw prints on the ground among other signs of stress. If the dog is really stressed a lot, learning might slow down. Figure out the cause of the stress and address it. Is your dog nervous being too close to the other dogs or people? Maybe take a few steps away from class or step behind a barrier for a minute to let the dog calm down and slowly work your way back towards the class.
Most importantly, just have fun with your dog. Realize that group class is a great place for both of you to socialize, and is not a military boot camp. It’s a time during the week to spend time with your dog uninterrupted. Learn to laugh at yourself and at your dog, and you’ll have a better experience in a group class.
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