Online Training: Is It Right For You?

More and more dog trainers are seeking methods to help our students continue to train their dogs. Dog training is not an “essential” business, and therefore, most dog trainers have had to stop teaching group, private and in-home lessons.

 While a short break in training is probably ok with the average dog, dogs who have issues that require more extensive behavior modification, puppies and newly adopted or foster dogs may need continuing help.  How does dog training move forward in a world where we can’t meet face to face with our clients? 

After 2 weeks of webinars and Zoom meetings, I can now tell you that we can continue.  It will work a little different, but it can be done to great satisfaction through online learning.  Why this is a surprise to me, I do not know.  I think it was more the fear of the unknown.

You see, I have been involved with online dog training for several years now.  I take several courses from Susan Garrett, who is the internet guru of online dog training.  She has had online courses going for several years.  They run seamlessly and are full of great content and support.  I have learned so much from these online courses, that I model several of my classes off of them.  My agility lessons are modeled after Susan’s Handling360 and Agility Nation, and my very popular Reliable Recalls class is modeled off of Susan’s Recallers program.  I also am a member of her dog training master class, IC Peeps (Inner Circle People) where we meet online as dog trainers once a month to discuss different training scenarios and problem solve issues others are having with their training.

I can easily say that online dog training works!  I have learned so much from the courses I have taken.

What are the benefits to students in online courses?  Some are as follows, though I am sure there are more:

·       The same personal attention to you and your dog, when classes are kept small.  4 dogs or less is ideal.

·       Allows for students to learn in the comfort and safety of their own homes.

·       Helps to keep distractions to a minimum while learning new skills. The dogs know their home environment so there is no need to “check” things out.

·       Decreases the level of stress for both the humans and the dogs if the dog is anxious or fearful.

·       Helps to build more focus on the human and enhances the relationship building as there is no outsider to interfere or divide the dog’s attention.

·       May keep dogs from rehearsing unwanted behaviors in connection to having a stranger in your home, such as jumping on people or lunging and growling at guests.

·       Flexible scheduling (no drive time to worry about).

·       Sessions can be recorded and links sent to students, allowing the lessons to be reviewed as many times as needed.

·       The recorded lessons replace the need to reschedule or “miss” a class that you cannot attend.

·       Simple technology, just a computer, tablet or smart phone with audio and video capabilities and internet are all you need.

If you are in need of help with your dog in our temporary “work from home” world, a lesson or two online may help you become more productive at work, make your home life easier and help your dog transition back to the days of alone time when you go back to working outside of the home.  If you acquired a puppy, rescue or foster dog during this time, helping them get off to the right start will be beneficial to your long term relationship. Online lessons can help you.

Let me know if you have any questions about online learning, I would be happy to discuss it with you!

Jan Gould, KPA CTP, UW-AAB

KPA, CTP: Karen Pryor Academy, Certified Training Partner

Knowledge, training and teaching assessed.