Group classes are a popular option for lots of dog owners. But that doesn’t mean they’re the best training choice for every family. When investing in your dog’s training, you want to make sure that it will be the best fit for your goals, your schedule, and your budget. So we’re going to break down everything you need to know about group classes so that you can confidently make the decision that is best for your family.
What are Group Classes?
Group classes are a type of dog training program that allow you to work in a small group with other dog owners and their dogs. Group sizes are typically limited to 4-10 dogs and their owners, but this will depend on the trainer that you are working with. Typically you will be signing up for about 4-8 classes as part of your training program.
Classes are typically held weekly or bi-weekly at a training facility (or park, or brewery, or wherever your trainer decides is the best fit for your group). During classes, your trainer will demonstrate different training exercises and then will give you time to practice with your dog. The skills covered in class are pre-determined by your trainer and can range from basic puppy skills, agility, off-leash work, tricks, and so much more.
After class, your trainer will likely give you homework to work on with your dog until your next session. This will give you time to practice your new skills and come back ready to add more challenging skills.
Benefits of Group Classes
Working Around Distractions
Because you will be training as part of a group, group classes are a great way to start working with your dog around distractions. For some dogs, simply being in the same room as another dog will be a good challenge to overcome. For others, learning how to stay focused on you while other people are moving around with treats bags will be a challenge. Regardless of what gets your dog excited and distracted, there will be plenty of things in the room that you can help your dog feel comfortable and relaxed around.
Hands-on Practice
You’re going to get lots of hands-on practice in group classes. Typically, your trainer will demonstrate a new behavior she wants you to learn, and then she’ll give you time to practice while she goes around and helps each individual dog and their owner. So not only will you get to try new skills and figure them out with your pup, but your trainer will be right there if you need a little extra help. So much of dog training is about repetition, and you will definitely get the opportunity to practice lots in class!
Cost
Group classes are going to be your cheapest option when it comes to dog training. Because there are several families all paying for your trainer’s time, you reap the benefits of lower costs. Your trainer’s rates can vary based on where you’re located, what behaviors you need to work on, your trainer’s level of expertise, and how many classes you will be attending. A rough estimate for group classes can start at about $150 for all of your sessions, and increase from there based on the above factors.
Downside of Group Classes
Overstimulating for Some Dogs
As mentioned above, group classes can be a great option for teaching your dog how to work around lots of noises, sights, and smells. But this can also be a downfall for some dogs. If your dog is nervous, fearful, easily distracted, or reactive, you may find that group classes are not the right fit for you.
While we want to expose your dog to the things that make her nervous, we also want to make sure that we are putting her in situations where she can be successful in those learning moments. If your dog is overstimulated and is unable to cope in such a busy environment, you will both leave classes feeling frustrated and defeated.
So know your dog’s personality and needs, and determine if she will truly be successful working in a group of dogs. If she’s not -no worries! There are plenty of other training options that you can pursue.
Curriculum is Pre-determined
Now this is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is worth mentioning. When you sign up for group classes, you are signing up for a class that your trainer has already planned out. So you don’t get any say in what skills you will work on in your classes -you’ll simply be following the trainer’s curriculum.
That being said, there is a wide variety of topics that group classes can and do cover. You’ll simply need to spend time doing your research to make sure you find a group class that fits your needs. So whether you want to learn tricks, teach your dog to walk on leash, practice puppy manners, or any other number of skills, make sure you find a class that focuses on those specific skills.
Not Ideal for Serious Behavior Issues
There are some behaviors that you aren’t going to be able to address in a group setting simply because the layout of the class isn’t the right fit. For example, group classes aren’t going to be the right fit for helping your leash reactive dog learn how to calmly ignore other people and dogs. It’s also going to be a difficult environment to work through intense fear of new spaces or people, as a few examples.
Simply put, group classes are best suited for fairly confident, happy, well-rounded dogs that are not easily startled, overwhelmed, or dealing with serious behavior concerns. If you are dealing with more difficult behavior issues, you need to work through those individually, not in a group setting. Private lessons, day training, or a board and train program may be a better fit for your training needs in these instances.
No One-on-One Time With Your Trainer
Because your trainer is going to be teaching multiple family, you won’t get a lot of one-on-one attention from her. While some people may be fine with this, it’s not the best learning style for everyone. If you learn by watching and then doing, or by asking a clarifying question here or there, then you’ll do great in group classes.
But if you need more time and in-depth explanations to process new information, then you’ll likely find yourself frustrated by the lack of personalized attention in class. The design of the class simply doesn’t allow your trainer to give you her undivided attention when she’s trying to simultaneously teach the group.
Conclusion
Are group classes right for you? Only you can know for certain. But there are a lot of great benefits that can come from working your dog in a group setting. However, if you’re dealing with more advanced behaviors, have a dog that would really struggle in a large group, or if you simply don’t think it would best suit your learning style, please know that this is just one of many options available to you.
Keep asking questions, and make sure you talk with your trainer before signing up if you aren’t quite sure if group classes are the right fit for you. They are full of knowledge, and will be able to help you pick a program that will best meet your needs.
We do not currently offer group classes as part of our training programs. However, if you have decided that group classes are not the best fit for you and want to learn about our other programs, you can check out our Training Programs page for a breakdown of programs that may be a better fit for your needs.
Still not sure what your family needs? Fill out our contact form and schedule your free consultation so that you can speak with one of our trainers. We’ll help break down your options and make sure you’re getting all of the information you need to make the right decision for your family.