Puppy class or private trainer?

[SitUbuSit]

I'm picking up Batman from his trainer in one month -- he will be 16 weeks old. His trainer is awesome and has been working with him every day, raising him like her own puppy. She has socialized him with her GSD and cats, as well as the dogs in her training classes, neighbor's dogs, and even horses!

By the time I get him, he'll already have 8 weeks of socialization, engagement and basic training. I plan to keep up the training right when we get home, more as a bonding exercise than for technical progress (he's still a puppy, after all). That said, I do plan to compete him in the future (Rally and Obedience) and want to maintain his training schedule, but keep it fun for the both of us.

I have two options: Go to weekly puppy class at an AKC club (Capitol Dog Training Club -- PM me if you have feedback), OR hire a trainer for weekly training sessions (I'm interviewing DC trainers now -- PM me if you have recs). Both are comparably priced (I don't have a car, so using Zipcar to get to class almost cancels out the cost savings). My question is, all else equal (quality of trainer, methods, price), is there a benefit to going with one over another?

I will, of course, audit both options before making a choice, but wondered if any of you had any early insights to share. Here are the pros and cons, as they pertain to my life and priorities:

Puppy class

PROS: Socialization for the both of us. Gain a sense of community support, advice, and "goings-on" in the area. Good indoor facility. Natural entry point for greater involvement in club events.

CONS: 30-40 minutes away (I'm not the best driver). Because of age requirements, must take a puppy class that is below his skill level, so he won't be as challenged. Classes don't start until Feb/Mar. Less personal attention from the trainer.

Private trainer

PROS: Works to fit our schedule. No commute -- save 60-80 minutes. Offers individual attention that is tailored to his skill level (and mine!), maximizing personal development. Class set in "real-life" neighborhood places that reflect our day-to-day life.

CONS: Potential lost socialization opportunity for the both of us. No weekly community of dog people to hang out with.

One factor to consider: As I was writing, I realized that I can mitigate the cons of the private trainer more easily than those of the puppy class. For example, I can socialize with friends' dogs on play dates, and go to other events at the club to meet dog people to make up for the socialization gap; whereas I can't do anything to mitigate the commute time, or change the class schedule so that it starts in January. Hmm... I'm kinda leaning towards the private trainer now, assuming I can find a good one in DC.

But, you know, I'm new at this. What would you do?

Thanks!

[JakodaCD OA]

Personally, if I could swing it, I would go to the class even if you feel it may be beyond what Batman will already know.

Reasons, the ones you stated. AND you yourself are a new owner, so will learn all those basics with an already basic trained dog so it will be easier for YOU and he will hopefully make you look great in class))

But I can certainly understand the private trainer being much more convenient for YOU as well..

So really, I'm not much help.

[BlackPuppy]

Looks like you've summed it up. Just for comparison, I drive 30 minutes to my weekly agility class because I prefer this particular club for agility training. I have driven 45 minutes to a special GSD trainer for preparation for competition and problem solving.

[marshies]

I would go with a private trainer. In the same boat as you with the whole inexperienced in dog training thing, and I think the individual feedback and confirmation is very important for me. You sound more prepared than I do so I don't know if you feel the same way about the attention, but I would love the security of knowing that everything I do is correct and I'm not training any undesirable habits into my dog.

But i do think in the long run, you'll need to look at classes, especially since you're competing in these venus. A class will provide a similar traning atmosphere. Maybe next year you'll be able to find a better car arrangement and go to classes.

So in conclusion thoughts are: start with a private trainer till you're more comfortable and then go with a class if it becomes more manageable.

I'm actually in the opposite situation as you with the classes. Amaretto is too old for puppy classes but I'm not experienced enough to be in any of the older classes. Ugh. Wish we could some how combine our woes.

[chelle]

Originally Posted by JakodaCD OA

Personally, if I could swing it, I would go to the class even if you feel it may be beyond what Batman will already know.

Reasons, the ones you stated. AND you yourself are a new owner, so will learn all those basics with an already basic trained dog so it will be easier for YOU and he will hopefully make you look great in class))

But I can certainly understand the private trainer being much more convenient for YOU as well..

So really, I'm not much help.

This.! Hopefully he will just completely rock-out the class, he'll get that every so important socialization with the other pups and you'll learn some good stuff, too.

We've only completed one class and if anyone had any offerings before the New Year, we'd be going every week now. I really enjoyed class and grew to look forward to it very much, even if it was a bit of a drive. Bailey liked it, too, he'd get all excited once I pulled into the parking lot.

Bailey didn't learn much new to him there, true, but I did learn about me. The trainer would point out things that *I* could do better, where maybe I repeated a command or said the wrong word, my posture, things like that that I wasn't aware of. Sure, a private trainer would do the same, I suppose.

If you went with a private trainer and then wanted to join a public class, you might want to find out if you'd be required to start "at the bottom" with Obedience One or whatever. If he's already pretty advanced, and then you work with a trainer and he's even MORE advanced, you'll be crazy ahead of the game if you then went public. Hope that made sense?

[chelle]

Oh and also wanted to say, it is VERY interesting to watch other handlers with their dogs. Very informative as well. You can watch and learn the behavior you want to emulate vs the ones you don't.

[onyx'girl]

Agree with all above!
I would opt for a group class, but let the trainer know that you are there to keep up what Batman already knows...and the other dogs are to proof his behaviors as they are distractions.
Especially if you are going to show him, he needs to be around other dogs in close quarters so he knows how to act/not react. I would choose the trainer carefully if possible(a SchH club or other GSD specific group would be my choice!)

[FG167]

I prefer group classes. I like to teach pup to pay attention even in super fun, distracting atmospheres such as classes with other puppies etc.

[doggiedad]

i like private lessons in the begining. once i gain some control
i'll go to group classes. i add distractions slowly as our training moves along.

[Cassidy's Mom]

Ditto on the group classes. I'd be very surprised if you could find a good private trainer for a comparable price, you certainly can't around here. All the classes I've taken are 6 or 7 weeks long, and have ranged from $120 to $200. That would pay for 2 or 3 private sessions tops at the going rates in my area.