CHOOSING A DOG TRAINING CLASS

However, word of mouth is probably the best way to find out about a well run, well informed training class or instructor.

Don't simply sign up for a course of lessons at your nearest (or cheapest!) class. Make plenty of enquiries and ask if you may visit the classes as an observer before committing yourself. Much will depend upon your own requirements and these days there is often a selection of specialist classes to choose from. Probably the best-known specialist class is the puppy socialisation class. These classes are usually open to puppies of around 12 to 20 weeks of age with emphasis on controlled puppy-to-puppy play and interaction. The good news is that recent recommendations state that vaccinations now may be completed at 10 weeks of age, which is certainly an advance as far as puppy classes are concerned.

Some classes are based on competitive obedience style of training and whilst the exercises involved are useful not many pet dog owners want to go on to compete. The exaggerated style of 'heelwork' exercise is easily recognised and will not appeal to everyone.

• Indoors or Outdoors?
  Classes may take place indoors or outdoors depending on facilities available in your locality. Outdoor classes are obviously at a disadvantage in very bad weather whilst the indoor class may be less spacious. However an imaginative instructor can incorporate a huge range of fun and games into an indoor class and a surprisingly small area will suffice provided the classes are small in number.
  
  
• Atmosphere?
  As you observe your chosen class look around at the handlers. Are they smiling or do they seem tense?
  Remember that it is the owner who learns at a dog training class, not the dog! If an owner is tense she will not be able to learn anything. Look around at onlookers too, are they happy and smiling? Although excessively loud conversation can be distracting it is often overlooked that the sound of calm human voices and the hum of everyday conversation does much to calm a dog. Dogs understand the tone of a human voice very well and soon learn that laughter and conversation is really good news. Many long-standing friendships are made at a dog training class and this should be positively encouraged.
  
  
• Is there any shouting?
  Even in these enlightened times, some owners are taught to shout at their dogs! Dogs do not learn better if owners or instructors yell! Some very sensitive dogs may learn to be afraid of people if shouting upsets them at a dog training class. Loud voices are never necessary particularly as a dog's hearing is usually much better than ours! (And leave immediately if the instructor shouts at the owner!)
  
  
• Are Choke Chains used?
  There is no excuse in these enlightened times for using a choke chain. Choke chains are painful, cause damage and they teach dogs to be aggressive. You may see dogs in class wearing headcollars and these are perfectly acceptable.
  
• Choke chains are available in just about every pet shop. How on earth is an uniformed dog owner supposed to know about the disadvantages unless someone takes the time and patience to explain to them?
  
• More recently some classes have discarded the choke chain and are opting to use the 'combi-collar'. Whilst the use of a combi-collar is perfectly acceptable when used to prevent a dog slipping his collar, it is the constant lead jerking action, which still accounts for many dog problems. Lead jerking is unnecessary, counter productive and will cause many problems regardless of what type of collar a dog is wearing.
  
  
• Are there any children in the class?
  Well-behaved, accompanied children are a boon to any dog training class. Some dogs in training classes may not otherwise have the chance to meet young children and this is a real necessity. It goes without saying that any interaction between dogs and children should be carefully controlled and managed.
  
  
• Is there any equipment in the class?
  A few simple pieces of equipment like tunnels; hoops and weave poles can increase enjoyment and aid relaxation for both dogs and owners. Hurdles are probably better kept for the outdoor class due to the possibility of slipping and sliding on indoor floor surfaces.
  
  
• Do the dogs in the class seem relaxed?
  Are the dogs in the class stressed in any way? Signs of stress include excessive panting, loss of hair, sweaty paw marks on the floor and a general unhappy appearance with flattened ears and a lowered tail.
  
  
• Are the dogs allowed physical contact with each other?
  Dogs that are yanked away from other dogs with the command "Leave" are more likely to become aggressive or fearful around other dogs. Dogs need physical social contact such as sniffing especially when on lead. How often do you hear of dogs that are fine with other dogs off lead but a total nightmare when on lead?
  
• Are any dogs hiding under the chairs?
  Dogs that hide under chairs or show any other fear behaviour may not be suitable for class training. No dog should ever be dragged out from beneath a chair or indeed forced to do anything with which it cannot cope.
  
• Are there any aggressive dogs in the class?
  There is no place in any training class for an aggressive dog. Aggressive dogs should be dealt with and rehabilitated before being allowed to attend a training class. Alternatively aggressive dogs may be able to attend a class specifically designed for this problem behaviour. Aggressive dogs within an ordinary training class are often segregated and removed to some far corner of the room or training field. This does nothing for the dog or indeed for his owner and neither will learn anything. Would you really like to attend a training class in which you have to keep a close eye on "the black dog" because he is aggressive? On the other hand, wherever dogs gather together there is bound to be some occasional lunging, growling or grumbling. This is entirely normal and part of a dog's everyday language - it just needs to be moderated - growling is just another form of doggy expression and should not necessarily be regarded as "aggression."
  
  
• What are the dogs learning?
  Sometimes when we train our dogs we believe they are learning what we teach them. Often it is completely the opposite! Any excess pressure put on a nervous or fearful dog will simply teach him to be afraid of the training class. In any class the most important lesson for a dog is that he learns to get along with other people and dogs. No amount of perfect sit-stays, down-stays or retrieves will ensure this social reliability. A dog that is punished in a training class may not in fact associate the punishment with the supposed 'crime' but may associate it with the dog standing next to him.
  
  
• The Instructor?
  Is the instructor sympathetic? Does he or she have empathy with both dogs and the owners? Owners should never be singled out for making mistakes and should be treated with respect at all times. Individual attention should be given to all owners even if just a few minutes here and there. Time should be allotted to deal with specific problems at a separate time and some instructors will ask trainees to ring them at home stating the best time to ring. Probably the single most important quality an instructor can have is an ability to communicate at all levels with people and of course endless, endless patience! Give the instructor extra marks if he or she has a sense of humour! For most instructors training dogs is a fairly simple procedure, but with every dog there is a person, sometimes two or more. Taking your dog to a training class should be a happy and relaxing occasion. If you feel uneasy about anything you see or hear ask the instructor to explain and if you're still less than happy put that particular class to the bottom of your list. It's worth travelling a few extra miles or paying a few extra pounds to find just the right class for you and your canine friend.