Get the Most Bang for Your Buck
A group dog training class is just like anything in life, you will get out of it what you put into it. In light of that little wisdom nugget, this article includes 8 simple, yet easily overlooked, tips for getting the most “bang for your buck” out of a group dog training class.
Some of the specifics are written for students of Thriving Canine but there are also a lot of tips that will apply no matter which dog training company you choose. I hope you find these tips helpful.
#1: Show Up
It may sound obvious but you won’t get much out of the class if you don’t actually show up. In a perfect world, you would show up, on time, every time, but, as we all know, life happens and you may not be able to make it every week or you may be late due to traffic or whatever. That’s fine, no problem, better late than never and we offer make-up classes at no extra cost. We even allow for extra classes at no extra cost when needed.
For example: If the class you are taking includes 6 weekly sessions but for some reason your dog is not “getting it”, you can take 7 or 8 or however many you need to learn the lessons and graduate from the class…all at no extra cost. (These attendance policies may not be offered by other companies, Thriving Canine just happens to be cool like that. 😀)
Showing up is half the battle, so, if you wanna get the most bang for your buck, get your butt to class as regularly as you can. Show up and keep showing up until you have learned what you need to learn. Don’t give up. You paid for it, now get out there and get your money’s worth!
#2: Pay Attention
This may also sound super obvious but “showing up” means more than just getting your butt to class, it also requires keeping your head in the game. In other words, to get the most bang for your buck, you will need to make a concerted effort to pay attention. No, I mean really pay attention, like it’s a college level course that you need to get an A in.
Paying attention is not as easy as it sounds. A group dog training class can be a highly distracting environment. If your dog isn’t causing you to be distracted, there’s a good chance that someone else’s dog will be. There is likely going to be barking, whining or some other doggie ruckus that makes it hard to pay attention. But, hard does not mean impossible, it simply requires a little discipline and focus.
It’s also not uncommon that the other humans will be a distraction for you. They may be talking to you or they may be talking to someone else or they may be in their own world, doing things their own way, not following instructions properly, invading your space, etc.
For example: The class could be working on down-stay and one of your fellow students may decide they want to jump around and play a game of tug with their dog or help themselves to the agility equipment or lord knows what they might decide to do, other than what they are supposed to be doing. Just when I think I’ve seen it all, someone will come up with a new one! 😀
In a nutshell, paying attention can be a challenge and you will undoubtedly be distracted at times but, if you do your best to keep an ear out for your instructor and follow instructions as accurately as you can, you should get a decent bang for your buck.
#3: Check Your Baggage at the Door
As human beings, we tend to carry around a lot of mental/emotional baggage. We spend way too much time thinking about the past or the future, which can make it difficult to live in the moment. You know what I mean; family issues, problems at work, that a-hole who cut you off on your way to class, plans you have for tomorrow, what you’re going to make for dinner tonight after class and so on. This is normal, we all do it, but all of that mental chatter keeps us from being mentally present during dog training class. So, if you want to get the most “bang for your buck” out of your group dog class experience, you may want to check your baggage at the door. Don’t worry, it will still be there for you to pick up after class, I promise. 😀
#4: Do Your Homework
Basically, your “homework” every week is to practice whatever has been taught so far in your class, at least a little bit, during the other 6 days of the week. You don’t need to go crazy and, in fact, I would recommend that you don’t overdo it. Just do short training sessions, as in maybe one to three reps of any given exercise, sprinkled here and there throughout the day and that should be good enough. I would certainly never do more than ten reps in a row of the same thing. The real secret is to pay attention to your dog’s motivation level and don’t burn them out. Some dogs will be more into training than others but the idea is for them to enjoy the process as much as possible, so stick with short sessions and leave them wanting more.
#5: Watch the Videos
Most of the classes at Thriving Canine include some video content. (This may not be the case at other training companies) It is very helpful to watch and practice along with those videos. They may include information that the instructor forgot to mention at class or that you missed due to being distracted or that you simply forgot because there is a lot of info being shared in a very short amount of time. To get the most bang for your buck, you will want to watch them all, ideally multiple times.
#6: Follow the Syllabus
Many of the group classes at Thriving Canine also come with a Course Syllabus. (This may not be the case at other training companies) These will have the outline for the weekly lessons, recommended homework and links to various articles and/or videos. In order to get the most bang for your buck, it’s a good idea to read the syllabus, look ahead and watch the videos in advance of the following week’s lesson plan. That way you and your dog are not trying to learn something brand new in the middle of Distraction Town. It can also help you stay on track or get caught up if there are any weeks that you can’t make it to class.
#7: Take the Quizzes
Many of the group classes at Thriving Canine also include quizzes. (This may not be the case at other training companies) Links to these can usually be found in the syllabus. They are totally optional, totally anonymous and the correct answers will be shown after submitting your answers. Don’t worry, we cannot see who takes these quizzes, they are simply for your own education. They may also bring up questions or details that your trainer forgot to mention at class. To get the most bang for your buck, you will want to take all of the quizzes that are available for your class.
PS: Quizzes can be taken repeatedly until you get all the answers correct. Again, we cannot see who is or is not taking them.
#8: Ask Questions
To get the most bang for your buck, if you have questions, be sure to ask them. There will be times that are more appropriate than others to ask questions but definitely let your trainer know if you have questions. Some questions may be good for the whole class to hear, others may need to be answered after class or when you can get a sidebar with the trainer. Some may need to be answered with an email or phone call. Sometimes there is not a quick answer and it may be that you need to schedule private lessons to get all your questions answered or problems solved. With that being said, we certainly will do our best to answer any questions you may have during or after class.
Summary
A group dog training class is like life; you will get out of it what you put into it.
It’s pretty simple really; show up, pay attention, don’t take life too seriously, have fun and, of course, put in the work. Do this and you will be certain to get the most bang for your buck!
Happy Training!
Chad Culp – Certified Dog Trainer, Canine Behavior Consultant, Owner of Thriving Canine.
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