Here at Clickstart, we teach a variety of popular group classes and we don’t get this question nearly as much as we should! Most families think of group classes as a cost-effective way to get started with training. However, even Basic Training classes can be difficult and stressful for your dog without an adequate foundation. Besides puppy socialization classes, which are specifically designed for young, clean-slate puppies, you’ll want to ensure your dog is ready for a group training class before signing up.

5 Questions to Ask Yourself

We want the dogs in our group classes to thrive! For this to happen we are looking for dogs who are eager to learn, comfortable around distractions, and trusting of their handler. How do we know if our dog is any of those things? Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Can my dog eat treats in public?

This is a sign that your dog is comfortable in public. A dog who isn’t eating is a dog that is experiencing some kind of fear, anxiety or stress and their appetitive behavior will decrease accordingly. If your dog can’t eagerly eat a treat at a local park then learning in a group training class simply won’t be possible and we highly recommend that you begin with private training to address your dog’s comfort in public.

2. Do my dog and I train well at home?

All of the basics should be introduced at home, around no distractions, first! It can be very difficult to learn “down” or “stay” for the first time in a group class surrounded by other dogs, people, and endless distractions. You don’t want to feel like you’re swimming upstream during class. Have a strong foundation at home first, then come to class to proof the behaviors around distractions. If you don’t know where to start at home, consider an in-home Private Coaching session to start!

3. Is my dog relaxed around potential triggers?

Some dogs bark at dogs, people, bikes, birds, and other triggers. Whether they bark out of excitement or fear doesn’t really matter. The point is that the bark can be disrupting to the class and your dog’s frustration or fear may not improve if they’re constantly over-threshold. In-person group classes are not the place to train if you don’t have foundation skills already established in order to help you be successful. If this describes your dog, we highly recommend that you begin with our online Reactive Rover Recovery group class.

4. Do my dog and I have a strong relationship?

We recommend that you have your dog for at least 3 months before joining a group class. Training around distractions takes trust and a history of reinforcement in calmer settings. Three months of training and playing in your living room will help set both you and your dog up for success in a group class environment! Consider our online Clicks for Tricks classes as a great way to begin bonding with each other! (Please check back for our next Clicks for Tricks class start date.)

If you answered yes to all of the questions above, then it’s time for you to think about joining a Clickstart Core Class! We have classes for all ages. Can’t wait to see you on campus!

Is my dog ready for a group class?