How Attending A Puppy Class Can Help You!
By Julie Wintrob, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM
There is a lot online already about the benefits of attending a puppy class for your puppy between positive socialization, building trust, and creating a foundation for training. I’m here to talk about how attending a puppy class can be beneficial for you (the human)!
For context, I regularly teach a virtual six week puppy class through PumpkinPups Dog Training. Each class runs for an hour and at most I have six pups per class.
Accountability
Whether you are a first time dog owner or an experienced long time dog owner. Raising a puppy takes a lot of work and time. This is not including your job, seeing friends, family events, and the rollercoaster known as life. Attending a weekly class can help you stay on track with your training goals and the class trainer can help you stay accountable.
Individualized Training
Most puppy classes run weekly for 4-6 weeks. The puppy classes we teach run for six weeks. Your class trainer will become familiar with you, your pup, and your lifestyle. Your class trainer will be able to adapt and tailor training specifically to you and your pup. As an example if you are unsure on how to start house training while living in an apartment building on the 5th floor. Your class trainer should be able to help you make a plan.
A Source of Resources & Information
It can be hard to discern inaccurate information from accurate information on the internet. Your class trainer can be a source of information and resources. Whether you are looking for a dog walker, a harness, books to read, treats, or more they should be able to help. I often get asked what brands of harnesses I like, do I know any dog walkers, and my favorite dog training books. Of course, you should still do your own research but a trainer can help give you a starting point, help you narrow down the list, and steer you toward humane and safe options.
A Safe Space
When you get a puppy there are going to be friends, family members, neighbors, and sometimes random people who will want to give you dog training advice and that can be overwhelming. Your group class should be a safe space for you to ask questions without there being judgment or shame. My goal is to create a safe space for my students to ask any and all the questions they have. Together we discuss possible answers and then narrow down to which answers make the most sense based on your dog and your situation.
Community
Raising and living with a puppy has its ups and downs. Being part of a puppy class gives you access to a community between the other students and the class trainer. More often than not, my puppy students are relieved when they hear that the other students are often struggling with the same things. And together as a group, we work through those challenges! My students will sometimes arrange playdates for their pups which is nice because everyone is already familiar with each other.