One-to-One Dog Training vs Group Classes in West London: Which Is Right For Your Dog?
If you’re looking for dog training in west London, you’ve probably come across two main options: group classes and one-to one training. But which is actually right for your dog? The answer isn’t ‘one is better than the other’, - it depends on your dog’s behaviour, personality, and what you are trying to achieve. As a behaviourist, here’s how I help clients decide.
Group training is best for:
Puppies and young dogs.
Social, confident dogs. Your dog is friendly and not overwhelmed by other dogs.
General obedience (Sit, stay, recall etc) You want to build basic skills.
Dogs who don’t meet a lot of other dogs. Your main goal is socialisation and focus around other dogs.
Controlled exposure to distractions. Dogs learn to focus on you even when other dogs and people are nearby.
Your pocket. Group classes are considerably less expensive.
One to one training is best for:
A tailored experience. Because training is personalised, progress is often faster. You will get a clear structured plan to suit your lifestyle.
Problems in the home. The trainer/behaviourist comes to your house.
Any unwanted behaviour. And there are many: resource guarding, aggression, separation anxiety, obsessions, excessive barking etc etc With no other dogs present, your dog can learn in a calm and controlled environment, making it easier to address specific issues.
Working at your dog’s pace. In order to bed in the results of training, its important not to go to the next step until the first is fully understood. Some dogs actually get worse if pushed too quickly.
If you feel overwhelmed. This is very common, especially if things aren’t going smoothly. No comparing yourself to others in the class.
Continued support. As part of the fee I always offer help after the session, via video or telephone, as this is when questions tend to arise.
What I recommend for West london dog owners
If you have a puppy or young dog, I rceommend a combination of both. Group classes are a great place to start. Your dog will get some socialisation in a fairly controlled environment, so play will not escalate into overstimulation or aggression. You will be taught basic obedience skills such as sit, lie down, lead walking. I would do one or two classes a week for a month or so. Use in conjunction with a one to one session with a trainer or behaviourist who can iron out any issues you might be experiencing. Ask them to tailor make a training programme for you and your dog. They will take into account your dog’s breed and which skills and games are fulfilling for that particular breed. The behaviourist can also come to your home for further training such as how to stop your dog going upstairs, or jumping over visitors to the house, or how to stop any separation anxiety or resource guarding from developing. Don’t wait until things have gone wrong to call in the behaviourist. Have a session early on to prevent things going wrong in the first place.
If you have an adult dog, I recommend a one to one session. Some behaviours and habits may be ingrained, so you’ll have to work on ‘undoing’ them and setting up new behaviours.
The difference between a trainer and a behaviourist
A trainer works on building new skills and educating you with the fundamentals. They can teach basic obedience (sit, stay, recall etc ) and help with good manners (no jumping up, impulse control etc)
A behaviourist deals with deeper emotional or psychological issues driving behaviour. They assess why the behaviour is happening, and work towards changing the mindset (of the dogs and their owners). Issues might include fears or phobias, aggression, obsession, resource guarding, separation anxiety, excessive barking, destructive behaviour etc. To become an acredited dog behaviourist you have to have a qualification. Anyone can set themselves up as a trainer.
Generally speaking, all behaviourists are also trainers, but trainers tend not to be behaviourists.
About me
I have a Level 3 certification from ‘The UK Dog Whisperer’. Training methods are mainly positive reinforcement based, but i also use negative reinforcements (this is NOT punishment) for some behaviours, depending on the dog. (See my blog on ‘Is positive reinforcement the best way to train your dog’)
I don’t offer group classes, because what I do as a behaviourist is specific to each individual dog. For example, what works to stop aggression in one dog, may not work for another. Many exerpts from my training sessions can be found on my instagram @bemoredog.guru. If you feel I can help with a particular issue, or if you need a little more hand holding for general obedience training, or if you have a new puppy and want to set up the right behaviours from day 1, do get in touch. I cover Ealing, Acton, Chiswick, Hammersmith, Shepherd’s Bush, Notting Hill, Fulham, and beyond.