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No longer is it a matter of “if” you should attend dog-training classes with your dog, it is a matter of “where”.  Group dog classes can be (and should be) great fun for the whole family.  Group instruction Vs one-on-one instruction is often debated.  There are pros and con’s to each.  Having a private instructor come into your home can be more convenient, but you often loose out on the social aspect for both you and your dog.  While it can be much easier to teach your dog to sit in your kitchen, they do need to learn their lessons around the distraction of other dogs.  This is where the group classes shine.  Your dog will learn how to concentrate even when his buddy Boscoe keeps running across the room.  It is similar to having a private tutor for your child rather than sending him to school.  The tutor is great if the child has a problem area, but it shouldn’t take the place of them amongst their peers. 

Of course, if your schedule is one that doesn’t permit your attendance at a weekly class, then private instruction is the way to go. Shift workers fall into this category. There is also a portion of the dog community that has members that are not social.  These are dogs that just don’t do well in a group class setting.  They may have issues with other dogs or they may be just too shy or overwhelmed to learn in that environment.  The best option for them might be private training to learn their words, or maybe the option of having a behaviorist come to your home to work on these issues should be considered. 

What you may not have realized is that long term friendships starting amongst your human classmates are common.  There are many like minded dog people that arrange play dates with their like minded puppy class group on the weekends.  Some of my closest friendships were those formed with our dogs as the catalyst. 

So, now that you have decided to attend classes, the next step will be to find a school that fits your needs.  Location and cost should be factored in, but should not be at the top of the list.  Seeking out a professional trainer for your dog that is both educated in learning theory and a skilled handler will put you on the right track.  This combination of someone that has the book smarts and can also show you the technique is invaluable.  Call around and ask the trainers credentials.  Remember that there is simply no substitute for experience.  There are no hard fast rules that apply to dog trainers and while some have certification you should enquire who has certified them.  The certification is only as good as who is doing the certifying.   If you find a dog trainer that has gone to a 12-week trainers program and has trained a few of the neighborhood dogs, you might want to reconsider.    

Reputation of your trainer should be high up on your list.  Getting a word of mouth referral from dog owners in the park and dog professionals such as your Veterinarian should go a long way in your decision making.  There are many flavor of the month trainers, and just as many techniques to accompany them, so it is wise to find a training school that has a reputation for being up to date, kind, efficient and fun…and gets the job done.   

Don’t be swayed by glossy literature, fancy websites and guarantees.  A guarantee is a formal promise or assurance that an obligation will be fulfilled.  If you see a dog trainer offering a guarantee, make sure you look at the fine print.  Just by definition, you can see that no one can guarantee that your dog will be trained at the end of the session.  There are too many variables that a trainer doesn’t have control over.  If the family doesn’t do what has been requested, or they adjust the training program, then it may not be successful.  Many dog owners are swayed by the word guarantee.  What you might find is that a trainer will guarantee to continue to train your dog until he is trained to your satisfaction.  Again, this sounds great, but in reality may not be practical, especially if you have difficulty scheduling classes or appointments.  A dog training school with a solid reputation will give you a guarantee.  They should guarantee that they will do their very best for you and your dog, and they should guarantee that they will do no harm to your dog.  That is a fair and reasonable guarantee. 

Although cost and location should not be at the top of your list, it should still be factored in.  Trainers know their own worth, and this is something to keep in mind when doing your research.  There is no reason to go to the school that costs the most for just that reason alone but choosing the lowest priced classes can be deceiving.  Many dog owners opt for a group class that is the least expensive and many find themselves spending more money to repeat the training process with more experienced instructors.  Look for a ratio of about 3-4 dogs per instructor in a beginner class.  This means if you are in a group of 6-8 dogs, there should be 2 trainers available to give you a hand.   

Location is also deceiving.  Do you drive the extra 15-20 minutes to go to a school with a great reputation?  It is definitely worth it, in my opinion.  Group classes are once a week, so it is 15-20 minutes once a week.  Think of all the time you might spend re-doing your training by attending a school around the corner, just because it is close.  Of course, you are really in luck if the school in your neighborhood has a fabulous reputation!  Over the years I have found myself driving up to an hour each way to classes where I will further my education and have always found it to be a worthwhile experience.  You will be more likely to drive slightly further if you are looking to attend classes for dog sports such as Agility and Flyball.  Many facilities are not large enough or equipped to do sports.  Again, well worth the drive! 

The next step is to get a feel for the dog school you want to attend.  You may want to speak to someone in person, or check out a class.  It is not always necessary if you are getting your referral from someone you know and trust, but if you are finding your school from the yellow pages or online, you might want to speak to someone or visit before registering.  The trainers should be happy, polite, educated and experienced.  Look at other dog owners in the class.  Are they smiling and having fun?  Do the dogs look happy?  Do the owners seem to be able to follow the direction given? 

You might notice that a lot of emphasis is being put on having fun with your dog.  Don’t be fooled into thinking that fun means frivolous.  You can learn the lessons you need in order to practice the exercises daily, and your dog can be trained to any of your goals, and you can do that while laughing and having a great time with your dog.  Of course, there will be moments of frustration, but having a dog is about enjoying time together.  The process of learning for both should be a great experience.  Seeing a dog (or a person) learn his lessons while maintaining a sense of joy is what great dog trainers look for.  Happy Training.