Is it better to continue Obedience Classes or just train her myself?

[Rua]

Juno finished her last day of Puppy Socialization class last week. It was a five week course we took with about 8-10 other puppies of a similar age. We covered a lot of the basics (sit, leave it, come, etc)...and the puppies got to spend the last 20 minutes or so of the class interacting with each other.

Juno loved the class, and it was nice for all of the family to go and get the kids involved with the basic training process. She is 16 weeks old now. The facility we did the PS class in offers a Level 1 Basic Obedience course as the next step in puppy training. This course lasts 4 weeks, and is for "dogs with little or no basic training". It sounds like it's more of the same of what was taught at PS class. They won't allow you to take any of the other classes they offer (Like Heelwork or Reliable Recall class) without completing Level 1 Basic Obedience first.

Initially I wanted to carry on with Obedience Classes. However, now I'm a bit hesitant. I work with Juno myself everyday reinforcing these basic commands with her, and have begun introducing new ones that weren't in the PS class gradually as I go.

Is a waste of money to keep sending Juno to Obedience Classes when I do a lot with her myself at home? Or is it better to continue - despite the fact she knows a lot of these commands already - purely for the socialization aspect?

I obviously want what's best for Juno, and I'm just not sure what is the next best step to take with her from here. I don't plan to do any competitions or showing. I'm looking at this purely from gaining a very obedient companion that is reliable. What have all you other GSD owners done regarding your dogs Obedience training?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or suggestions you might have!

[Emoore]

Absolutely not a waste of money. If it's a good school with good instructors, she'll get more out of continuing in classes than she will only working with you one-on-one. I love classes. My pup is 1 year old and with the exception of November/December, we've been in classes continuously since he was 9 weeks.

[Rua]

What sort of classes have you taken with yours, Emoore? Has it been just one long continuous stretch, or have you enrolled in different ones as time goes on?

The courses offered at this facility I did the Socialization class in has different ones you take as time goes on with your dog:
Level 1 Obedience
Level 2 Obedience
Agility
Heelwork
Reliable Recall

I'm considering trying out a different trainer closer to home though who offers a combined heelwork/obedience course.

[Emoore]

It's been different classes as time went on.
Puppy Class
Basic Obedience
Intermediate Obedience
Agility 1
Agility 2
Rally obedience and clicker tricks

We're taking the rally/clicker class now and will start Agility 3 next month.

[gsdheeler]

The more you put into a dog the more you get out of them.
Basic Obed. is the foundation for everything it's very important.
From there you can make an easier transfer to Agility, herding , Tracking, Rally O, Comp. Obed..or anything else you want to do with your dog. Every dog deserves an education.....

[lisgje]

I used to take Shane to classes for fun and socialization. We did the basic twice, intermediate twice and advanced once. (he always passed with flying colors, just liked going to the classes) He loved to go and loved the trainer. We really enjoyed it. Even had a friend bring her dog GoGo (Shane's best friend) and it was so much fun.

[Pattycakes]

I think its a good idea to continue with the classes. Not only are you working with your dog, but your dog is around other dogs and people. Great socialization.

I still take my dog to classes and she loves to go.

[MaggieRoseLee]

CLASSES!

Can't beat them for socialization and fun with the training. Heck, I still have friends from classes I took over 15 years ago. We meet for doggy playdates and people playdates.

Also I know the good people/dogs and can 'use' them to dogsit if I have to leave town and they can 'use' me for the same. Since our dogs already know each other they have a blast, I save money, and I have peace of mind knowing where they are while I'm gone!

[JakodaCD OA]

I am all for classes too! And all for, you can never train enough

I think you should continue, who knows down the road, you may get bitten by the agility or obedience bug and really get into it

I say go for it:

[doggiedad]

do you know how to train a dog? going to class
is good for socialization with other dogs and people.
continue with the classes.