Group Classes vs Private Training & Why You Should Choose Board & Train

What Type of Dog Training Is Best for Your Dog?

The type of dog you have, and their temperament can play a role in the type of training you decide to pursue. Beyond that, you need to assess what you want to get out of the training. Perhaps you want to meet other dog owners and make friends for you and your canine companion. Or maybe you need to address a particular issue you have been having. Below, we go over some of the pros and cons of group training and private training and try to narrow down what your best option is.

Group Dog Training Classes

Group dog training can be enticing for several reasons and is often offered at a training facility or in an outdoor setting such as a local park. They can be a great way to meet fellow dog owners and start you on a path to a more obedient dog.

Pros of Group Dog Training

Most Often The Cheapest Option:

Often seen as a positive, cheap training that covers the basics is theoretically a great thing. However, cheap dog training programs can cost you more in the long run.

Can Be Good For The Basics:

If your only goal is to learn the basic commands of sit, come, down and stay, group classes can provide that.

Partial Socialization:

A key aspect of training your dog should be the goal of having them become neutral to their surroundings to avoid stimulation from triggers. A part of this would be training them in new environments with a variety of different triggers. Being in a group setting at a training facility or park is a step in proper socialization.

Learn From Others:

If another dog has an issue that the trainer addresses, learning how to correct it could come in handy in the future.

Cons of Group Dog Training

Less Flexible Scheduling:

Group classes are often scheduled with no consideration of your specific calendar. You are forced to attend when the classes are running.

Less Focus on Your Issues:

In a group setting the trainer has a curriculum that they must follow. This means if you have specific issues, it is likely they won’t get the time and attention needed.

Behavioural Issues Are Out of Scope:

If you are experiencing difficult behavioural issues the group trainer will not have enough time to assess the root cause and fully address it. Further, they just don’t have enough access to the dog to instill the modifications needed to create meaningful behavioural change.

Private Dog Training

Private dog training might be for you if you have un- common issues with your dog and are looking to make larger changes in their behaviour. Even though you will be allotted more attention than group training, the trainer won’t be with your dog 24/7 so it is up to you to identify key behavioural issues and their causes.

Pros of Private Dog Training

Customization:

Private training allows for one-on-one time with the trainer and the ability to request that training focuses on specific trouble areas that you are experiencing. Further, you can often request that the dog trainer come to your home which helps families with little time.

Good for Dogs with Heightened Anxiety:

If your dog experiences heightened anxiety a private trainer could be a good starting place to ease your dog into training.

No Picking Up Bad Habits:

In group training, there are going to be dogs who have developed bad habits. In a private setting, your dog will not be exposed to those bad habits.

Cons of Private Dog Training

Don’t Get to Socialize With Other Dogs:

In private training, there will most likely be fewer distractions – specifically other dogs. Training with distractions around your dog helps them socialize better as well as create obedience in different settings.

The Environment:

Often, private training will occur at your home. This might create a dog that only listens to you when you are at your home.

Board & Train - The Only Way to Truly Change a Dog’s Behaviour

If you ask our clients, they will agree that Board and Train is better. On average our dogs have gone through 2-3 different training regimes before they come to us. As we can be with your dog for a prolonged period and learn the intricacies of your concerns, we can address their behavioural issues and build a solid base. We make sure to include field trips with your dog to help with obedience across multiple environments and they learn proper socialization while being trained alongside our other dogs and trainers. If you are considering group lessons or private ones, we urge you to consider Board & Train. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have.