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Dear Yvette:

We just brought home a new addition, and want to do the right thing. Should we do classes for our dog, or is, “in home” better. One-on-one instruction sounds like we would get more hands on time. But with classes there are more sessions for less money. Is one better than the other?

Brian

Both options have benefits and both have limitations. Personally, I offer both services, and that is because both have their place. The question is, “Which service meets the needs of your new companion and your family better?”

If you have a puppy, then classes are most likely the way to go. Socialization is critical to the development of a dog. In home does not offer your puppy the opportunity to interact with other dogs. There are exceptions to this. Some puppies can have severe behaviour problems. I have seen dogs as young as 6 weeks of age that will bite over a chew bone. These puppies need immediate intervention with the goal of getting into a class environment for socialization when they are ready.

For the average happy puppy, group classes that focus on the development of temperament should be considered a necessity. All classes are not created equally, so you want to ensure that the class you attend provides prevention exercises adolescent onset problems. The classes should incorporate socializing under close supervision, and should start some manners.

These types of programs are the norm for working dogs. Most reputable programs that develop police dogs, guide dogs and such spend a year to a year and a half socializing and teaching the basics. If you want perfection, it takes time. I'll take a friendly dog that needs to learn to sit on command any day over an obedience champion that bites.

If you happen to have brought home a dog that is over the age of 6 months, then you have two options. Animals that are out of control, aggressive or fearful probably should get some work done in the home before coming into class. Taking a dog aggressive animal and placing it in a room with nine other dogs is just asking for trouble. Your dog won't learn much and you will leave frustrated.

Many shy dogs can do well in a class environment if the room is large enough for the dog to integrate on their own terms. We have had many fearful dogs that came out of their shells. The trick is to let the dog feel safe.

Friendly dogs belong in a classroom. One of the exercises that I like to see students practice is, “Ignore other people and dogs.” This is probably one of the key differences between a puppy classes and one meant for older animals. Puppy classes help teach dogs that other puppies are fun. Once the puppies this it is time to ask more of them.

The only time where classes are out of the question is for aggression when it poses a danger. It is unfair to ask other people in a class to be fearful of your dog.

Yvette is an award winning pet writer and pet behavior columnist. She also is the author of Meeting Milo, a North American dog bite prevention program to reduce the approximately 2 million children bit by dogs annually. She is the owner of AwesomeDogs.ca and works as a behavior consultant in London, Ontario.

This column was originally featured in The Londoner
See more of Yvette... www.awesomedogs.ca
www.meetingmilo.com

Yvette has 2 dogs of her own, KIKI and KAYA. Take a look...

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