This was one of the many good questions on his list that day and an example of how working with apprentice trainers is a wonderful way for an established trainer to continue to reflect on their profession in an effort to improve.
My first response to Mike was something along the lines of “Well, I really like both.
As with everything in life, there are potential pros and cons to group classes and private lessons.
I know plenty of trainers who don’t offer group classes because they have such a strong preference for private lessons, and vice versa.
I love the variety of students all in one place and the challenge of helping each dog/handler team.
There are many times when the mix of a group class is so wonderful that at the end of the six week course we all (myself, the students and the apprentice) are truly sad to say goodbye.
I am most pleased when students cheer each other on at graduation as each team heads up to show off a new skill before receiving their diploma.
There may be an especially vocal dog in class, or a person who is already beyond frustrated once they arrive at the first class and on the brink of giving up.
It requires the ability to temporarily veer off from a set curriculum and then get back to it so that everyone in class benefits as much as possible.
Behavior is a constantly changing thing and I always remind students that there is a first time for everything.
In general, group classes are especially advisable for puppies as they provide an invaluable opportunity for the pups to learn in the presence of other dogs.
Trainer moderated puppy play in group classes is a valuable part of a pup’s education.
Maybe in this case a new saying is in order? They are a whole other bag of kibble! Walking into someone’s home means you are teaching in a new environment for each lesson, and it is someone else’s domain rather than your own classroom.
But, in the 15 years or so that I have been offering private lessons, I have found that most students do their best to welcome you in and within a few moments their living room has morphed into a mini-classroom.
But, even for new puppy parents, we often suggest a private lesson or two prior to enrolling in a puppy kindergarten class.
One of the positives of private lessons, working in a fairly non-distracting environment, may eventually become a bit of a drawback.
In some cases, semi-private lessons with two dogs are a good, gradual step towards group classes.
This can inhibit efficient progress.
In most cases, private lessons and group classes complement each other.
But, it is important to make sure you help people choose which might be best for them at a particular stage in their training plan.
All three are most likely to have the best possible experience when the right training environment is chosen.
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