Benefits of Group Classes
For many of those who do not know what group classes entail here is a brief overview however for most people group classes are a very familiar thing.
Group classes are generally set up for puppies in one class and adult dogs in another. This allows for proper socialization of puppies with puppies and adults with adults. Most classes are set up to go over basic obedience commands like “Sit”, “Come”, “Down”, “Heeling on a Leash”, and more.
All of these things can be taught outside of group classes but here is the benefit to group classes. Group classes allow your dog to experience working around distractions. Distractions can be anything from a leaf blowing in the wind to someone knocking at the door. Yet in group classes the distractions are usually other dogs in class and the owners that brought them there.
Why is it important to work around distractions you might ask? There are many benefits, but the biggest in my opinion, is the fact that real life has all sorts of distractions. Although a group class may not replicate all of the distractions your dog may encounter in your life that doesn’t matter. The fact that you can work your dog and have him/her listen to you and have them do what you want is all that matters. If you can get your dog to “sit” while at class while other dogs are running around, or do meet and greets with other members of class there is a good likely hood that you will be able to do it when you meet someone on the street.
Another benefit of group class is having your dog be able to socialize with other social dogs and socialize with people. Not everyone that owns a dog has access to other dogs. Puppies and dogs that never see other dogs generally struggle when they meet a new dog for the first time. Puppy classes especially have time set up for socialization with the other puppies in class. For my adult classes socialization is usually subtler and not as much wrestling and playing. Instead the adult dogs get to learn how to hang out around other dogs and act appropriate during that time. During all the socialization time, it is supervised so no dog is being picked on or bullied by any of the other dogs. If, however if all the adult dogs are social we do have play time as well for them.
As you can see there are benefits for both puppies and adult dogs to have group classes. If you are interested in what Prodigy Pups has to offer in regard to group classes visit our group class pages or contact us at dogtraining@prodigypups.com or phone us at 320-316-3787.
