A group training class can seem like a no-brainer when you get a new dog. You have a dog in your home, your dog needs training, and a group class is one of the most economical ways to get started.
Group classes also offer some major advantages:
- Working around distractions (other people and dogs)
- Building a community of people with similar goals
- Having a scheduled appointment for accountability
- Staying motivated to practice between classes
But if you want your experience to be both more fun and more effective, here are a few things to keep in mind.
#1 – Slow Down
Your dog is not going to learn everything you want them to learn in a 5–8 week class.
At WOOFS!, our goal is to teach you how to train a few foundational behaviors that will help you navigate everyday life with your pup. A Puppy Basic Obedience or Adult Basic Obedience group class is just the beginning of your dog’s training journey. It introduces important foundation skills, but true fluency takes weeks, months, and sometimes years to develop.
So slow down. Take the pressure off yourself and your dog. Your goal should simply be to do a little bit better each week. That’s how learning works. Don’t focus so much on the finished behavior that you miss the progress happening along the way.
#2 – Set Realistic Goals
In a group class, the instructor is trying to teach something that will benefit everyone. But the reality is that every dog-and-handler team is unique.
Before each class session, ask yourself: What is my goal for this hour?
I once attended a six-week agility class where my only goal was to help my dog stop barking whenever a person came through the door. Because the behavior embarrassed me, I found myself struggling to address it positively. So on the drive to class, I repeated the same reminder to myself over and over:
Call in a happy voice. Treat her for looking at you.
That became our focus. Sure, we participated in some of the agility exercises, but they weren’t our main priority. I let the instructor know we might sit out parts of class, and that’s exactly what we did. Eventually, we went on to take many more classes without the door becoming an issue.
Set realistic goals. Let your instructor know what matters most to you, and celebrate the incremental wins.
#3 – Level Up the Downtime
One reason group classes are economical is that each instructor is teaching multiple dogs at once. That means there will naturally be downtime during class.
The instructor may be helping another team, or dogs may take turns demonstrating a skill. During those moments, both you and your dog can start to lose focus — unless you use that time intentionally.
When it’s not your turn, you have options:
- Give your dog a ‘brain break’ with a small chew item, such as a pig ear or small bully stick.
- Practice something else. Work on a different skill, teach a trick, or reinforce behaviors your dog already enjoys.
Think of class as dedicated time with your dog. Use every part of it.
#4 – Practice Between Classes
The majority of your dog’s learning happens at home.
Class time is not meant to produce a finished behavior. It’s meant to teach you how to teach your dog.
In a seven-week class, you and your dog may spend about seven total hours in class — and roughly 1,176 hours outside of class. That’s where the real learning happens.
Practice in real life. You’ll be amazed by how much progress you can make with several short, three-minute sessions throughout the day.
And just like in class, keep your goals small and achievable. One small success at a time adds up very quickly.
Looking for your next training class? Whether you’re starting with a new puppy or working on everyday manners, WOOFS! offers a variety of group classes to help you and your dog succeed. Check out our upcoming classes and find the right fit for your training goals.
