training classes - what do u prefer?

im just wondering really what kind of setup do you prefer?

do you prefer paying upfront for a set course, ie 8 week course. or would you prefer to pay as you go?

im just wondering really.

obviously a paid up front course would move along progressively, whereas a pay as you go class will be more or less something different each time or which way the class takes you.

Im running puppy parties on wednesday nights starting this week, and im wanting to do a follow on class for those that want to learn more but cant afford private tuition. My thought was to run a pay as you go class where you pay £4 - £5 a week and just turn up. This way when the next set of puppies comes along from puppy parties, they can just join, and also those that perhaps havent. It also means its less stress on owners finances.

the only problem i can see with this, is you may end up going over basic exercises too much because of new comers.

do you think they are best run as beginners/intermediete/advanced and as set time limit courses?

Max is 1 now, and we still attend a "basic" traing course, even though he has mastered all the commands and passed his KC Good Citizen Bronze Award.

The courses we go to are initially 8-10 weeks, then you can "pay as you go".

I find that they help Max keep up his basic commands, especially since, once we start Flyball, there'll be a whole new set of commands to learn.

I've run both and found that the 'pay as you go' just didn't work for me.

I strictly control numbers (6 max per group) and found this is just impossible on a drop in when you like basis. Structuring them was a nightmare, and there is always going to be one owner that only turns up very occasionally and sods law is that the training you are doing that week is similar to the last class they attended.

I think you could say that I prefer set courses that allow me to structure, manage numbers and ensure that the training progresses and is interesting for those that attend.

It is, of course, very much a personal choice.

the class i go to is an 8wk course and i payed up front but you can pay weekly, i used to go to a pay as you go but we got bored going over the same things so left. find it more fun and enjoyable nowing we will be trying some thing new and the dog does not get bored.

Yes I would prefer to pay up front for an 8 week course. However our trainer doesn't do any discounts for paying this way so I dont see the point

My trainer is also constantly going over old stuff because of new comers and I find it extremely fustrating.

I suppose although we go over old stuff, because it isn't Max's only training class I don't mind so much, but I can see how if it was the only training you attended, the same stuff could get boring...

i prefer to pay upfront ....so when its a freezing cold night and i'm tired i still go cos i have paid for it rather than be lazy and not bother ..after all we all feel like it sometimes and its not till we miss the class we realise the dog has missed out as well

I have only ever paid up front so can't really comment on pay as you go.

But I would rather have limited numbers per group and have a set focus each week - I think having newcomers each week would put the group off their focus unless enough trainers?

Basically I don't mind either way as long as the numbers are limited and the weeks are focused!

we go to a pay as you go one, you are allowed to progress as your dog does not as the course and other dogs do if that makes sence. ours was £10 for the 1st wk and £3 there after she really enjoys it
ATD xxx

I went to a set 8 week course to start with which was £59 last year. Then I went on a pay as you go basis. I still go to this class sometimes. Last week , it cost me £9.50 for a basic class . I'm now starting to lose interest as it's just the basics week after week , and while it's good for my dog to socialise and work in a group , it's boring for me as Missy is more advanced than the other dogs in the class. I can't go to the intermediate class at 8 pm as I work night shift and need to leave my house at 9 pm so I'm stuck with basic or nothing . I just wish there were classes held on weekends to cater for people who can't attend on weekday evenings. My beginners agility class is held on a Sunday morning and that's great as I don't have to rush home to go to work. The class for more advanced dogs is on a Thursday evening so I might not be able to go .