Private lessons with social groups versus group classes

Many new dog owners are under the assumption that obedience group classes are an ideal way to socialize their dogs to new stimuli and shape them into "social butterflies". Unfortunately this  can be far from the truth.

The ideal time to begin social imprinting your dog is between 8-12 weeks of age. Exposing your puppy to new people, dogs, places and objects while using positive reinforcement and not overwhelming him will lead to a well rounded pet. During this time, your puppy will go through a "fear imprint" period. At this time caution and gentle leadership should be used while exposing your pup, but by no means should you isolate them from the world, this can only back fire on what you are trying to accomplish.

Waiting to long to socialize your dog then introducing him into a tense environment can cause extreme stress for the beginner pup  resulting in disinterest towards the  owner, unwanted vocal behavior, fear and aggression towards other dogs or people. With out question most of these "beginner" group classes contain other unsocialized  or volatile dogs causing the students to spend a large amount of their class time trying to get their dog under control and not really absorbing the instructions.

After many years of teaching beginner "group obedience" classes, I found that my clients that receive private lessons in their home while implementing group play and socialization progress faster and further with their training. Most of the stress and distractions that the dog as well at the owner may feel during group training is virtually eliminated in the home environment. Lesson plans can be properly geared to each individual dogs training and the owners goals. And unlike group lessons, you are not tied to a strict schedule. Private lessons gives you the flexibility to work within your own time schedule.

Exposing your pup to "group play" is a natural and fun way of teaching him proper "doggy" etiquette. If you have already properly socialized your dog, group play will continue to keep your dog social (yes they can regress), give him lots of exercise and is great for practicing your obedience distraction work.

If your dog has not been properly socialized, has fear/aggression issues  private lessons should always be recommended and a desensitizing program started before introducing your dog into a group.