What to expect from a basic dog training class

Sit, down, stay, come - these are behaviors that all dog owners expect to learn when they come to a basic training class.  And of course these standard behaviors are certainly included in the curriculum.  But what else should you expect from your class?

Socialization

Any good puppy class (for dogs under 5-6 months old) should include extensive socialization exercises.  Supervised and monitored off-leash play opportunities should be offered, along with instructions on how to properly socialize outside the classroom.  This is the crucial age for ensuring that your puppy grows up to be a friendly, well-adjusted dog around other dogs and strange people, so there should be considerable emphasis on socialization. 

Once your dog is past puppy stage, socialization activities are normally not included in a basic training class.  At this point if your dog has issues with strange dogs or humans, a class that is more specifically constructed for dealing with these social issues may be a better choice.  An example of this type of class would be the Reactive Rover/Cautious Canine class offered by Canine Action, Inc., in Oviedo FL.  Some classes, such as the Adolescent/Adult Basic class (also offered via Canine Action), will allow already well-socialized dogs play-time, but this is not normally part of an adult curriculum.  Safety is a big concern, so it's more important that under-socialized or fearful dogs are given enough room apart from the others than it is to have play-time.

Other puppy class instruction

Since young puppies all come out of the box with the same issues, puppy classes should also include instructions in potty training, nipping and chewing.  These are discussion topics rather than hands-on, so many classes will offer a separate "orientation" session before the actual class starts where these issues are covered (sometimes without the pups present).  Other classes may address these issues with written hand-outs.  Information on feeding, grooming, vet care and other similar topics may also be included.  If any of these issues are not addressed within the class format, you should feel free to ask your trainer questions about them.

Basic skills

As mentioned above, you can expect that your dog will learn how to sit, lie down, stay, and come when called, and also some leash-walking behaviors (heel and/or LLW).  Other skills that your class may include are:

• Leave it - Move away from an object
• Drop it - Spit an object out of the mouth
• Settle - Lie down and relax (not just lie down!)
• Wait - Similar to "stay," but dog doesn't have to remain in a specific position
• Watch - Give eye contact when cued by name or other word
• Sit for Greeting - Dog sits instead of jumping on or pawing at people when looking for attention

Will my dog learn it all?

Trainers are always asked, "At the end of this course will my dog know all these behaviors?"  The answer is usually both yes and no.  Yes, most dogs will have a basic grasp of the skills presented in class (which is why it is called a "basic" class).  No, most dogs will not perform every behavior perfectly and every time he is asked at the end of a 6-8 week course.  Could you be fluent in several new skills learned in that length of time? 

Diane Neff is a dog owner who considers education and socialization as important a part of her dogs' lives as their food, and therefore has attended many training classes.  When asked what she expects out of a basic class, she answered, "A balance of information and hands-on work, so the dogs have enough to do plus the people learn why and how to train correctly when away from class.  Also, an emphasis on working with your dog outside of class using proper techniques learned in class."

As Diane recognizes, much of what your dog learns depends on how often and how diligently you practice with your dog.  A dog who is walked twice a day by an owner who works at loose-leash walking skills each time is obviously going to learn more quickly than one who is walked twice a week, or whose owner sometimes lets him pull on leash and sometimes doesn't. 

To ensure reliability of these basic behaviors in more challenging environments (like calling your dog when a squirrel runs across the yard), it is highly recommended that you continue with education after basic class.  Most training centers will offer Intermediate or Advanced courses in which you will work with the "Three D's" of higher difficulty - distractions, distance, and duration.

Learning to work together

Even more important than learning the basic behavioral skills, you and your dog should be learning how to work together.  In a good class you will both learn how to better tune into each other, read each others body language, and communicate with each other more clearly.  Note that this is a two-way street!  Building a closer, more communicative relationship with your dog is the best thing that can come out of a class, whether or not he actually learns to "stay" longer than 10 seconds.

Choosing your trainer

It is very important that you choose your trainer carefully, as there are different dog-training methodologies out there and not all of them are concerned with building a relationship.  In fact, there is a lot of instruction available focused on the fad of perceiving your dog as an adversary that needs to be conquered.  Your dog should instead be seen as a partner who needs to learn to dance with you.  It's highly recommended that you visit the class you are interested in attending before enrolling so you can get a feel for the atmosphere and determine if you would be comfortable taking your dog there.