Formal Training for 2nd Pup

[jprice103]

I don't have a second puppy (yet), but I was just curious about formal training on a second dog. If you have taken a dog to formal Obedience Training, and know HOW to train, is there a need to take the new dog to training, or can you just work with them yourself at home? Granted, if there are issues that you don't know how to deal with, I can understand getting a trainer involved, but I'm referring to just your basic Obedience. And if they should go to formal training, what is the added benefit of formal training vs. DIY?

[gsdraven]

Originally Posted by jprice103

And if they should go to formal training, what is the added benefit of formal training vs. DIY?

Socialization and training around distractions for starters. Also, even though you've been through it before, you can always benefit from new methods/theories and someone watching what your doing to correct anything you may have forgotten since the last pup.

[kiya]

Lakota is the 3rd of my dogs to go to school. I really think it's an important experience that the "new" puppy shouldn't miss out on. Personally I continue going to classes more for my own training than the dog.

[Emoore]

Yup. Kopper is my 3rd GSD and we still went to school. I've done classes with all of them. The action of actually going to a class together is incredibly bonding, and there's really nowhere else they can learn to concentrate on you in the presence of other puppies! Plus, just like every other field, they're constantly refining better ways to train, so I always learn something in a new class.

[gsdraven]

Originally Posted by Emoore

The action of actually going to a class together is incredibly bonding

I wanted to add that I've even take Raven to the same class several times when it was our only option just for this reason. Especially when I have fosters, it is our special time together just the two of us.

[Cassidy's Mom]

There are many benefits to going to training classes, even if you already know what you're doing. I learned most of what I know about dog training and behavior when we got Cassidy 11 years ago - she was a LOT of work! So I've been training for awhile, but I still go to classes. In fact, Halo, our most recent dog, who turns 3 next week, has been to more classes than any of our previous dogs. I'm escalating! And Cassidy was our second dog, Sneaker was much easier so I didn't have to know much to get her to the "good enough" stage, so even if you think that training one dog prepares you for training your next dog, it's not always that simple. Dena was a very easy dog, (SO nice after difficult dog Cassidy!), Keefer is somewhat more difficult, and Halo is a wild and crazy girl! Each of them have taught me more, I've needed to up my game and increase my skills, so I'm still learning.

Training a dog to do something at home, even perfectly, is not the same as being able to perform the same behaviors somewhere else. Adding distractions make it much more challenging, and I love to challenge my dogs. Halo's first 4 OB classes were at different locations, and once she was old enough to take her out and train in public, I hit each of the 3 strip malls in town and both pet supply stores to work with her. The more different people/places/things you can expose your dog to, the better. Even though class is just one hour a week, and the bulk of our training is our homework during the week, in class Halo had to focus and work with me in a room full of other people and dogs, something I really couldn't duplicate any other way. And because we moved around and took classes at different places, it wasn't just the people and dogs that were new each time we started a new class, it was an unfamiliar building as well.

For me, the main benefit of the previous training classes I've taken is that I can start right away when I bring home a new puppy. By the time they start puppy class they've had anywhere from 3-6 weeks of training around the house. My puppies have always been ahead of the other puppies in their classes, sometimes WAY ahead!

[jprice103]

Thanks everyone for the responses! I am glad to hear that there are benefits to going to a formal class. I REALLY enjoyed taking Cheyenne to her classes, although I have to say that I haven't really found a training facility around me that I am really happy with. Just wasn't sure if people did go to formal class for their 2nd dog, and didn't want to spend the money if there was no value. Sounds to me like there definitely is value!! I just need to find a decent training facility that isn't too far away. I would like to take Cheyenne again, and now that she is finally over the car sickness, I'm not restricted something within 15 minutes from my house! Hopefully I'll have found a good place by the time I add #2...whenever that may be!