Ideas for Dog Classes

I run clicker courses and a drop in Sat. morning class for 'juveniles'.

I am looking for some bright ideas for my classes, and wondering if anyone out there has any!!!
What are you looking for most when you go to a class?
Are prizes a good idea?
How do you feel about competitions?

I give out pressies as positive reinforcement for owners, and we have relay races of varying themes, and mini agility for the puppies (young dogs get to step over the ground poles instead) the idea is to make it fun so firstly the handlers enjoy it and want to come back, secondly the dog thinks that their handler is a fun person to be around (then is much more likely to come back).

Your new ideas are welcome as I don't want to get stuck doing the same things over and over....

At our puppy class we all had to bring in a strange household object. Then these objects were introduced gently to the pups till eventually they were playing amongst them. Some of the objects included, shiny rustling fabric, umbrellas,remote control toys etc. It was obviously part of socialising the dogs.

We've also done "Handle a different dog" for a class... the people with large breeds were encouraged to handle smaller dogs and vice versa...

Gives people a different perspective on dog training, and a chance to work with other breeds

(Max was an angel for everyone who worked with him, then refused to even sit for me!!)

I think with dog training, completeing and achieving an award at the end of a 6 week period is great, with a certain goal for each week.
To bring competitions into it would put me, personally, off.
I like the class to be work from beginning to end, I don't like too much waffleing in between from the trainers.
I like the idea of group dog walks for socialisation, and I think all clubs should have a dog walk at least once a week, something anyone at the club can organise, obviously encouraged by the trainer.

oooooaahhh you have just given me another idea !

Thank you!

As well as bringing the objects for the pups, the juveniles can walk over tin foil as part of their building of trust with their handler (putting on a t-shirt as part of a relay race in a team is another trust building exercise!)
I get to play monty roberts for dogs that are terrified! (just seen him live, he was amazing)

I actually tried this without success over the summer. I will try again doing what you said when we get a little lighter. Perhaps it was the wrong time (sunday morning!) that I had chosen. One person each week can decide where we are going or something. I will bear it in mind.

Writing all this down now.....

Also thanks for talking about the waffling. I try to put a bit of behavioural stuff in there too (like why I teach a new behaviour without words at first) and sometimes I get blank stares. I guess people want to know how to do stuff not why. (That's my job to know!)

Oh yes, our training club has walks for members, and they are usually in places where dogs can be off-lead and properly "play" with other dogs in the class. This has really helped with Max's suspicion of other dogs actually. They are usually about once a month on a Sunday and end up with a pub lunch at the end of it

They also encourage members to get together out of class for informal "play sessions" and walks so the dogs can meet each other in an informal situation.

I think the walks are great especially in the winter when its dark, saftey in numbers.

Don't have any ideas other than those that have been suggested Jess, but I love the idea of a dog walk, even if it is just once a month (and the pub grub after!!!! a few doggy friendly places around especially in the summer!!). And the sense of achievement eg a certificate or similar after a short block of training eg 6 weeks.

Oh I wish Ben would behave with other dogs as classes sound like fun!

Sorry off topic again. I think the idea of organised dog walks is great. I have only had one with my dogs and clients from dog walking and it was a huge success- 30 dogs all under control and having the time of their lives!!
The owners had a ball and several wanted me to organise more walks.
In reference to training classes, I think it is a great introduction to the start of a course. So the owners can have an informal chat with the "teacher", and the "teacher" can see the real life problem so to speak without the unnatural hall atmosphere most classes are held in.

I may start a dog/ owner exercise class.....will pursuade me to get fitter- although we would all probably end up in the pub afterwards, or munching mice pies lol