I love taking classes and learning new things. Even more, I love teaching classes and seminars that help pet owners learn new things. Unfortunately, however, classes aren't the right place to address every issue you might be having with your dog. I was thinking it might be helpful to go over some of the issues that really lend themselves to a classroom environment, and which ones don't. Those issues that can't be safely or easily addressed in a classroom environment will require you seeking out one-on-one assistance. Whether that one-on-one will be with a qualified dog trainer, or whether that will be with a certified animal behaviorist like myself will depend on the specifics of the problem(s) you are having. So, let's go over some issues that cross my desk every day so I can show you which ones I point toward classes, which ones I direct to dog trainers I know and trust, and which ones I highly advise working with me to find long term solutions and relief.
Let's address the easy stuff first. If you just picked up a puppy, yes, you should take puppy classes. Even I took Henley to puppy classes when he was a baby! So, regardless of your own dog experience, puppy classes are a valuable tool for exposing your puppy to other puppies their own age, teaching them to be able to work in a novel environment and with lots of distractions, and of course, work on the basics under the watchful eye of a qualified professional trainer. I think smaller classes are better and I love mixed classes where puppies meet other puppies, some big, some small, some barky, some quiet, some playful, and some not so much. If you just got an older puppy, puppy socialization classes won't be appropriate per se, but an older puppies class or adolescent dogs class surely will be. In these classes, the pace is faster with a larger focus on leash work and distractions, the primary issues facing dog owners with adolescent dogs!
If you've just adopted a young adult dog, classes may still be a good idea IF your new dog isn't experiencing fear, reactivity, or aggression. If your new dog shows signs of being fearful or aggressive on leash during walks, for example, then a classroom setting where they will be in close proximity to other dogs on leash will only be anxiety-provoking, not productive, and can potentially make the issues you are having even worse. Instead, seek help from a qualified dog trainer to determine if your dog's issues are rooted in lack of positive on-leash experiences, or if their issues run deeper, related to poor, inadequate, or inappropriate socialization, or related to a genetic predisposition for the behavior. If it's about lack of good experiences, then that dog trainer is going to be very helpful, supporting you and your dog as you find the right equipment and tools to help your dog gain confidence. If instead those issues are about your dog's previous environment being impoverished, or about the role genetics plays in behavior (when aggressive dogs breed, they perpetuate aggression in future generations), then we will need to work together. Aggression is not a curable problem, but a question of good management. Some dogs have obvious triggers that we can learn to control while others, unfortunately, do not.
If you've adopted an adult dog without issues in fear, reactivity, or aggression, they, too, can benefit from classes, as classes are a terrific way to develop a bond and rapport with a new dog. My first choice would be that you choose a class where the focus is on tricks because tricks training is fun! For most adult dogs any class that's fun and fast paced is a win. You could try something new together like rally, or even agility, depending on the breed, temperament, and physical abilities of your new adult dog. If that new dog lacks basic obedience skills, then by all means sign up for a refresher course in the basics, just make sure you sign up for a class for adult dogs, and not one of those obedience classes for puppies!
Dog class offerings have really expanded in recent years. Even ten or fifteen years ago, classes offered to dog owners were primarily those in obedience, or skills classes for dog sports. Now when you look at classes offered in your area you are likely to find ones devoted to tricks training, cooperative care, leash walking in public spaces, scent work, and prep classes for therapy dogs, to name a few. While there is nothing wrong with classes focused on obedience, I love when my dog trainer friends expand their curriculum to fun and enriching challenge classes for dog owners.
I recently finished up a three session therapy dog prep class and it was so much fun! Every dog in the class was unique and well-suited to the job and I was happy to point them and their owners to the right therapy environment where they can do their best work.
As always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.
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