The Power of Group Dog Training

Let’s talk about the power of group training for your puppy or dog. This is not a class where you will learn foundational skills like sit, down, and stay. Those are done through private lessons in our puppy training program. We offer group training classes twice a month to all puppies and dogs that have graduated from our basic obedience program. These group training classes are phenomenal and extraordinary for teaching your dog advanced socialization and obedience skills, and they are held outdoors at Big Spring Park and Bridge Street Shops. There are many advantages of group training classes for advanced obedience. 

Working through real-world distractions

Puppies need to be exposed to a variety of sights and sounds in order for them to be thoroughly socialized. These include cars, buses, bikes, baby carriages, forklifts, shopping carts, other animals, dogs, and various people. During our group training classes, the dogs are exposed to all these elements and are directed to stay calm and composed. 

While these distractions are going on, we might get the dogs all in a circle in a sit or down position, and then one dog will walk through and around all of the other dogs while everybody stays calm. The group training classes are anywhere from eight to 12 dogs, so you can see how this would benefit them and how it can be challenging to enhance their obedience skills. 

Enhance the dog's socialization skills

We also enhance the dog's socialization in a controlled environment through positive reinforcement. This is not a puppy class. This is advanced group training to help the dogs reduce anxiety, stress reactivity, and promote better behavior. This reinforces good manners and makes the dog more comfortable and confident around other dogs and people. Another thing that the group training does is build

Confidence through peer learning

Dogs learn from each other. One dog may be very anxious, barking, and out of control, but all the other calm dogs are teaching that calmness is the way to go. It's the thing to do. And that one dog that was barking will suddenly calm down and relax because all the other dogs are very calm. 

Strengthen the dog-owner bond

The next thing that group training does is strengthen the dog-owner bond in ways you can't imagine. Building a relationship with the dog is done through the leash. Group training is done outside public locations, with the dog on the leash and the owner handling it. The dog and handler relationship is essential for proper dog behavior and manners in public. They're working through distractions and achieving advanced skills together in a group setting, which deepens the communication and trust between the owner and the dog.

Expert guidance in a dynamic setting

I lead the group training classes for all the dogs that have graduated from my program, and they are doing what I instruct them to do with the owners during the group training. I mix it up a lot. I'm constantly changing things and challenging the owners and the dogs with new exercises in the group that get them out of their heads, and just doing it and doing the movement patterns. We do the relaxation exercises, which may be done in a circle. Every dog lies down and does nothing. This is very hard for a pack of 10 dogs, but you know what? They do it. They do it every time, and they do it very well. 

Improving puppies' and dogs' socialization skills is extremely important. It challenges them and builds confidence in their ability to be better dogs. It also increases the confidence of the owners, who are the handlers of those dogs, that they can take their dogs anywhere and do anything with them at any time and feel comfortable and not get embarrassed with their dog's behavior. 

Prepare them for advanced activities

This may be dog sports, such as agility training or nose work, or maybe they're getting their dog ready to be a therapy dog or a service dog. The skills that puppies and dogs learn in group training can be applied to many other areas of the dog's life in the future. The loose-leash walking skills in themselves, in a pack with a lot of distractions, are very beneficial for getting the AKC Canine Good Citizen certification or anything else that's an intermediate or advanced-level certification program. 

I encourage everybody with a puppy or a dog to get their dog into a group training or a pack walk in your community. Again, this isn't about a group class where the dogs learn foundational skills like a puppy foundation class. That's completely different. I'm talking about advanced level obedience in a group setting to teach the dog high-level skills equivalent to high school and college level of education, not elementary school. This is way more advanced than that.

Request a free phone consultation for dog training in Huntsville, AL