Hi, new to the group. I have had my 3 1/2 month old GSD pup now abot a month and I am doing basic obedience such as sit, come, and heel. What I need to know is....Should I enroll her in obedience classes or can I buy one Ed's tapes on this site? She is very receptive to learning, And very confident. I want to train her right. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Chris

Start with the tapes and when the obedience is fairly goo go to a group cless. Trying to learn in a group setting doesn't work as well as getting it done at home. The group classes are good for socialization and distraction training. You want your dog to know the commands before you get there. If the plan is strict attention obedience I wouldn't go to a group until the dog is completely finished and had other distraction proofing.

Classes don't train your dog, they train you in the proper methods for you to train your dog. Ed's tape on obedience training goes into great depth on the do's and don'ts of training. When you are ready for class(after you have trained the dog) put some effort into finding a GOOD training club.

I'd go the opposite direction myself - this young age is IDEAL for getting the pup in a socially stimulating, challenging environment. If the obedience ain't so great, so what? The benefits of getting the pup out now and making sure he's comfortable in that type of setting are lifelong. Find a good instructor you're comfortable with and whose dogs work in a way that pleases you and you would like to emulate.

Tapes are ok, but they are severely limited by the "perfect dog" syndrome. If your dog hasn't watched the tape and doesn't conform to the drives, problems, and errors that are shown (and the potential problems and their solutions are usually thin on everyone's tapes), you're out of luck. Besides, til you've spent the money, and they aren't cheap, you don't even know if you like the instructor on the tape or what they advocate (talking about a new person who isn't familiar with 'who's who')

Classes ARE a good place for YOU to learn how to train your dog. They include distractions (for the dog), one on one interaction and the opportunity to view first-hand and in person different techniques. My dog and I knew very little when he and I first joined. I really enjoyed my first set of three classes. The trainers were excellent, (they had previously done a TV show on obedience training and came highly recommended) there was a great pupil/teacher ratio and there were only 8 dogs in class. I can't say the same for some of the others I went to. You have to be picky and should go as an observer to a few before deciding which one is best.
I realize that many other board members will probably say that the tapes are the best way to go in the beginning. They're probably right and I will certainly buy some myself with any new pup I get in the future. However, the right classes and teachers inspire you to be a better dog trainer/owner, help you practice and keep you on track, and give you the benefit of a real life person to ask for help, demonstrate what you're doing wrong and praise you when you're doing a great job.
It's after these initial classes that you can get into other dog sports, make connections and decide what you want to do.
BTW, you can also meet some very nice people with similar interests in dogs. Perhaps you can set up practice sessions on your own.
It's also what you do after class and on your own that makes the dog really learn and understand, but the classes are a nice start. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for your replies, I think I'll got he route of classes first. I think I need the knowledge of training a dog, in order to do a good job with her. Which brings me to another question...... Does anybody know any GOOD trainers or schools in central NJ,monmouth county area. Thanks again for your help. Chris

Private classes might be something you'd be interested in. You can probably move farther ahead with them.

I'm with Richard. Classes are a good way to "test" your dog under distractions. They are not the place to take an un-trained pup. There are plenty of good ways to socialize your dog other than the chaotic environment of a group obedience class. If your concern is just that....socializing your pup....that's one thing. But if your question is what's the best way to start training, go with the tapes or a private trainer who will show YOU how to train your dog, without all the distractions that come with 20 other dogs around.

Get the video first, that way you will at least have a well rounded approach to dog training before you go and get snowed by some petsmart positive trainers.

The material that the trainer will teach is more important than if your dog is ready for class or ready before class. It doesn't matter much because you won't be doing most of your work with the dog in class anyway, you do it at home. If the trainer doesn't give an entire training program to his/her students, that includes a proofing/correction phase, then you need to find another trainer.

VanCamp check your PM's.