What Do You Expect?

[Cosmolo]

I would love to know everyone's thoughts on what you would expect in terms of individual tuition within either a group obedience class or a workshop of some kind.

Do you expect any?

Are a few words specific to each person okay?

Do you expect a mini private session within the group for each person?

Should the instructor look at every dog individually?

All perspectives welcome

[16Paws]

From the point of view of someone with an 8month old lab with ADD and very basic obeidience skills:

For a general obedience class I would not expect a 'private' chat for each and every command/topic discussed but I would expect the instructor to be watching each dog and assisting when required.

We took our lab to basic obedience but cancelled the course after the 2nd class as the instructor would spend far too much time talking to an individual while leaving the remaining attendees standing around waiting for the next instruction. We actually waited 10mins while an instructor helped an atendee with their dog's haltee which I feel would have been more appropriate outside of the class.

For me a perfect class would be a short group class for the instructions with the instructor observing the entire group followed by allocated time for individuals to request further assistance. Instructors rushing for the next class or to get home are not very approachable.

[Vickie]

I like the concept of individual attention & I think good instructors seem to be able to manage this well generally.

From a students POV, I have been to a number of seminars where individual attention is given. So long as the instructor is having a public discussion with the rest of the group rather than a quiet one off to the side, it is all a learning process that just further expands everyone's knowledge. I have been in a few classes where the instructor has varied instructions slightly for individual dogs according to their level of understanding & it seems to work well. If I have an issue that I think is of no interest to anyone else, I would be happy to spend a little time at the end having a discussion about it.

From an instructors POV, I try to see every dog & more importantly every handler as an individual. There are people who will try to monopolise your time and these people need to be managed (you know the one's who always start the sentence with "but my dog..."). Like the instructors I admire, I also try to vary the complexity of each exercise according to the team's ability & it seems to work well.

I think the key to giving individual attention is including everyone in the group. It also saves you having to repeat the same instructions over & over again, which is so incredibly frustrating & usually a bigger time waster than individual attention.

ETA I think this also depends on the size of the class & the duration of the lesson.

Edited February 16, 2010 by Vickie

[Keshwar]

I would love to know everyone's thoughts on what you would expect in terms of individual tuition within either a group obedience class or a workshop of some kind.

Do you expect any?

Are a few words specific to each person okay?

Do you expect a mini private session within the group for each person?

Should the instructor look at every dog individually?

All perspectives welcome

It depends! Helpful aye. :D

In a big class situation nope don't really expect any personal interaction.

In a smaller class situation don't expect it but it is nice particularly if you have a specific problem or don't understand something.

I think a lot of this depends on the situation and the instructor/presenter. I did a Susan Garrett workshop a couple of years ago. There where people who paid extra to have their dogs there and those people did get some individual attention. But everyone that was there was also able to learn from these interactions.

I also think that the skills of the instructor/presenter play a big part in this. A skilful instructor can give individual attention with the rest of the group feeling isolated.

JMHO

Bear.

[megan_]

For a private school (as opposed to one of the VCA clubs staffed by volunteers) I expect some 1:1 time, especially when things go wrong! I expect the instructor to have a look at everyone because sometimes people are doing things incorrectly and don't know it. I expect the instructor to show me a different technique if the "standard" one isn't working. I expect a trainer to be available for a short while after class ends so that I can ask any questions.

I don't expect a free behaviour consult, but I would like guidenace on any issues I'm having with the dog, even if they aren't stricly related to the obendience course. Even if the advice is "get a behaviour consult".

I have a dog with severe fear issues and school has been great for her. Often the instructors (all 3 of them) would stay back for about 10 - 15 mins so I could practice some controlled socialisation with her. This is the kind of service that has made me continue with this group, and recommend them to all and sundry in the area!

Bit OT, I expect an instructor to ask me about any issues my dog has before I hand over my cash, and advice me if group classes are in fact the best course of action for my dog. Maybe a private consult is necessary before going into classes. I know this point is contraversial and that some people believe that all dogs should be allowed to attend a group class, but a dog with severe issues could be more damaged by this (or could damage someone else).

[JulesP]

I usually go around and check each person individually. It is really the only way to make sure that each person has the timing etc right. I try not to spend too long with each person. I don't tend to address one person whilst the rest of the group listens as this seems to embarrass people. Often after the exercise I will then discuss with the group if there are problems I noticed, without singling out the person.

I stay at the end of the class for any questions.

Me me me people are a little tricky to handle.

Keeping the group to a manageable size helps the instructor to speak to everyone.

[Aidan]

Great thread, Cosmolo

[Misha]

When working with group usually will help if the dogs are at similar level.

Opposite from Jules i actually like to single out a dog and the handler. Reason behind is i think that is easier to learn from someone else mistakes. But I made sure that everyone is single out during a session.(unless you have a perfect dog in the group but then i ll question what is doing at the class). When the dog is singled out i approach the group and explain in general terms the problem and ways to solve the problem. Only the person that is singled out is encourage to ask questions.It tends to force the group to think. Questions are allowed for the rest of the group when we finish the exercise.

The individual look of every dog is a must.

But then if the group is bigger than single digit number no personal attention.

We worked with group up to 45 dogs 5 trainers.

We still did not manage to give anyone one to one attention.Too noisy

But with one trainer with 5-10 dogs we found no problem

Edited February 16, 2010 by Misha

[Prydenjoy]

I always move around the class and check how each person is going, it has the added benefit of helping you pick up on common problems that you can then bring up with the rest of the class. I had a class where the instructor didn't give individual help, she didn't seem to care at all. I didn't respect her ability as an instructor as a result.

One on one time I feel is important to having people's individual needs met, and it gives those who wouldn't otherwise ask in class the chance to have their problems resolved, not to mention those who are doing well are not being overlooked as they get their own time (and "verbal rewards") as well.

[alpha bet]

One of the things I find in classes is that people do appreciate some individual feedback of some type. When I have riding lessons I hate it when someone monopolises the class. However the experienced instuctors will always move that person on fairly quick and share the time with all.

I feel as a teacher this is important to touch base with individuals as this gives them a feeling of belonging and then are more likely to raise their concerns. This also allows me to get a good feel for the person and then recognise when I need to chat quiet one to one at the end - or incorporate any difficulties as an example to the class on how to deal with this type of issue.

I run classes where I can have anything from 4-12 dogs in a class and I'm the only instructor, sometimes there is more than 1 handler per dog. I use the initial social time to allow everyone to touch base and have any question time - which often becomes a group discussion. (i.e. my dog won't go outside the door and runs to hide under the couch!) I love it when some of the others are keen to express their similar concern or even offer some solutions that worked for them.

Ive found that by having lots of little equipment around provides the waiting handlers the opportunity to practice some of their existing excercises. if I do get caught up with one person for more than a few minutes then the rest are able to go and work on little games on their own.

No matter how many are in the class I feel it is important for each to be acknowledged even if it is to praise a new excercise achieved or perhaps set a task for them to work on during the week.

[Staff'n'Toller]

I run fixed time courses and clients fill out profiles so I have a list of behaviours (the list is a mix up of positive and negative attributes) for each dog to work with.

I try to ensure they all get at least a couple of minutes of one-on-one time during the class but I try to nab people when they are working far enough away from the group so they don't feel like everyone's listening. I also attempt to check everything on their list is improving to the point where I'll email or call them if I can't catch them in class.

We have a catch-up chat as a group at the beginning of each class and I am happy to provide advice to issues clients bring up during that time in front of everyone else. Most of the time multiple clients are asking questions at each session, so I assume they are feeling comfortable enough to speak out.

In agility I appreciate an instructor coming and saying "did you realise you are having this issue because of <insert something I am doing wrong here>?" It's good though if they can take me aside so I can get a chance to run some repetitions with my dog and try to retrain my brain.

I have a printout from a now closed discussion list about handlers perspectives on comments made from instructors (maybe it was written by Bob Bailey?? I would have to dig it out) and how many different ways even a positive comment can be taken by dog handlers in a class so I'm ultra careful about singling people out in front of others. Many handlers feel their dog is the most disruptive or the worst at one thing or another so I try to be very mindful.

[Erny]

I agree with Aidan - a good thread, Cosmolo.