Dog Health Questions: Dog training?

I'm looking to put my dog in a training class, I emailed a local company if they have any current classes that my pup can join and this is what they replied:

"we offer group classes only after your dog completes a in home training course, we have a 4 week in home puppy kindergarten followed by a monthly group class for the rest of his life. The cost is $495, let me know if you would like to set up a free in home training evaluation so I can meet your dog, fill out a brief questionnaire and explain the training process."

That sounds like a good plan but after the 4 weeks it's once a month group? Does this sound like a good idea? Or should I just go with the traditional classes of meeting once a week for 6 weeks?+my dog is a Cairn Terrier 15 weeks+

The Right Information Is the Key To Effective Dog Training - Dogproblems Reviewed

Recommended Answer:
No, go to your local animals shelter, mine has 9 weeks lessons with professional trainers for 50$, and my border collie is awesome

Achieving Dog Training Success With The 18 "Don'ts" Rules

• I've heard very good things about PetSmarts training courses, and they are WAY cheaper than that.


• Id keep looking around.............


• It sounds like a very good program, especially if you have a puppy under 16 weeks that can't be in a group class until puppy shots are finished. Personally, I don't think you have to do that much unless you want to. I have trained my pups under 16 weeks at home myself and then signed up for a traditional 6-week beginning dog class after that and have done intermediate class for one dog that needed more. I have also had a trainer come in-house and work with a dog on specific issues and taken refreshers as needed.


• I think you should keep looking. A lot of training clubs and trainers will offer annual memberships (like mine) where you have access to the trainer, etc, for an annual fee. I like this idea, because it gives you the choice of doing just the class, or taking on the membership and moving at your own pace, having access to the trainer, and doing as many levels as you like for one year.
  
  Try and find a trainer that offers 8-10 weeks group courses in Novice 1 obedience, one day/night per week. This is ideal, because you get to meet with the group once a week and have any concerns addressed, helping to ensure consistency and an appropriate pace.
  
  Good luck!


• Congrats on your Cairn Terrier ^,^ (ive got a westie, theyre decended from the cairn)
  I would suggest looking around locally, maybe ask at local pet shops.
  When i was training my dog it was $10 registration (lifetime) then $5 each week (training was once a week) and ran for 8 weeks
  Hope this helps and all the best


• I have done both the in-home training class for my problem rotti mix when it was a risk to bring him into a class setting, as well as the group training classes for two of my current dogs. A puppy in-home class seems like a bit of a waste. One of the important reasons for enrolling your puppy in class is socialization. Although a puppy can learn at 15 weeks, you are not getting the benefit of interacting with other owners and dogs. How long are the sessions in the home? I would think carefully about this.
  
  The once a month for life deal is not going to keep you on track with your training, so you will need to be very self-motivated. The organization of this class does not seem ideal.


• $495!!! PetSmart it only costs $108 and your pup will go see a trainer every week!


• Your puppy is at the age where it needs socialization with as many different puppies and people and environments as possible. Doing at home training for the next 4 weeks will end that opportunity forever (prime socialization ends at around 16 weeks). You would be better off finding a puppy socialization class now and doing basic obedience when he gets older (at least 6 months). Monthly group classes for life sounds like a way to get the money up front, hope people drop out (most will) and/or go out of business shortly so that you pay and no money is refunded. I would be very wary of a deal like this.


• Go to your local pet store, Petsmart offers classes for puppies and will have classes starting at least weekly! The cost is very affordable, $109 for an 8 week course. Your dog will gain socialization skills and obedience commands, and you will learn about dog behavior and how to deal with misbehaviors.