Private trainer or obedience classes

[AthenaClimbs]

Our girl is almost 7 months and reaching her adolescent stage (she's actually been there since about 5 months). She has two major issues now, she's terrible on a leash (pulling and drifting, especially when she knows we're on the way to the park or a place she really wants to go) and barking/pulling towards other dogs (only on leash). this is out of excitement and not aggression.

Do you suggest group classes or a private trainer? I spoke to a trainer and she said she would benefit more from a private trainer since adolescent group classes teach the basic such a sit down come stay, etc but she knows all that.

Thoughts?

[Cassidy's Mom]

Depends. A private trainer is going to be much more expensive, for one thing. Can you afford that? I don't know what costs are like where you are (I'd assume they'd be high there, like they are here in the Bay Area), but typically, a GOOD private trainer is going to be about as much for a session or two as you'd spend on a 6 week class.

In a big class with just one trainer you could be lost in the shuffle, without the opportunity to work on the things you really need to work on, but a smaller class, especially one with an assistant trainer or two, might be a better option. In a class you'd be working around other dogs, which sounds like what she needs. But if she's SO bad around other dogs that it's impossible for her to focus and she'd just be disruptive and not able to really learn, then a private trainer might be better, IF the training sessions would be out in the real world, where situations could be set up and controlled.

In most of the classes I've taken my dog has been pretty advanced in at least some of the things we were working on vs most of the other dogs in class, so I'd just progress faster. If we were working on stays, for example, and the other people in class were putting their dog in a sit or down stay and going to the end of the leash, I was dropping the leash on the floor and walking around the room. Plus, in class I was able to practice things that I'd begun training at home or on a walk in a new environment with other people and dogs around, so I never felt like it was a waste of time, even though my dog "knew" the basics of what the class was teaching.

Have you read any of the threads on teaching loose leash skills? There's a lot you could be doing on your own in the meantime, both in your home and out on walks.

[Mrs.K]

I prefer a private trainer over the classe.

Sometimes those classes are held in ridiculously small indoor buildings because it could be raining. And then you have walk in a circle with your dog, trying to animate them with food while everybody is giving commands the same time.

For a puppy in that stage that has the attention span of a squirrel that is not the right setting to teach them anything at all because they most likely will be everywhere else with their mind but with you.

It would be much better to take some private lessons or like Debbie said, with two or three people and work on the issue instead of being in a big classe with 10+ dogs.

[BlackPuppy]

How about one private lesson to give you some feedback on what you are doing wrong. We've all been there, and I still appreciate the feedback when learning new activities. But one lesson should be enough. Even better if you can find a GSD owner/trainer.

Then train on your own for a few weeks while you interrogate and investigate other training options.

Where I train, your "class" depends on the dog's training level, not on it's age. In Obedience 2 there will be dogs from 6 months old to 6 years old.

[doggiedad]

i like usuing a private trainer in the begining.
i think it's easier on the pup with private lessons in
the begining. i like joining a group class after my pup
has learned a few things. i make sure my pup
is around a lot of dogs before group classes. being
excited to go for a walk is expected. with training
they calm down. teaching your dog to heel should
take care of the pulling when leashed.

[Lesley1905]

I think both are great ways! The class gives your pup a chance to be around other dogs and can help them learn in a room loaded with distractions. Private lessons are great for individual attention and constructive criticism. If you can afford, maybe do both!

[onyx'girl]

I think it depends on the trainer/training.
I've done group lessons and if the trainer isn't good, then it is very, very boring. I took a Control unleashed class based on the book and the trainer was great...other obedience classes just go thru the motions and the dogs/handlers are bored to tears.

If you can find a great group trainer, go for it, otherwise a private who knows how to engage, build drive and keep your dog focused is worth the cost.
Training with a group is nice, because you can proof what you've learned with the distractions of other dogs, people.
I personally like to train semi-private...a couple or three working on individual goals but structured and there are still other people/dogs to have as distraction and as another 'eye' for critique. I like to have input on my handling skills as long as it is constructive criticism! I learn so much from what others see that I don't in my handling/footwork/postitioning of my dog.

[Stosh]

I did both- the obedience classes at a local training club and a private in-home trainer for specific issues. The socialization of the classes for me and the dog was great but the individual time of the private trainer made a world of difference. So like trying to pick between two pairs of fabulous shoes- I say 'get both'!!