Group Vs. Private Training Camps: Which Option is Best for Your Dog?

Adopting a new furry friend means they might have to sit in a few training classes before successfully transitioning to living with you. Dog owners often take their pets to see professional training when they are first adopted, and at times, they register their pets for a dog training camp.

Commonly referred to as “board and train” or the dog version of “boot camp,” dog training camps are designed to promote intense training sessions that teach your dog obedience through commands and reinforcement. Training camps are ideal for situations where you are introducing a new pet to your home or are seeing undesirable problematic behaviors. With a new routine and consistency, training camps can give you and your dog the skills to transition into your family successfully.

Training camps are designed to either be in a group or individual environment. Sometimes, your dog might perform better in a group environment or, at times, entirely on their own. It really comes down to how well they play with others.

Most dogs will benefit from training camps, but some dogs will fare much better when working with other dogs, and others do best on their own with their trainer. 

What Are the Benefits of Dog Training Camps?

Your trainer will clearly state that training your dog is not a one-time event. Dogs should be in some form of training their entire life. But lifelong learning does not mean a lifetime in a training camp. It is the reinforcement of what it learned at home and anywhere else your dog visits.

Discipline and command training are necessary for your dog to have a high quality of life and to be able to integrate into your household and routine. For many households, bringing their dog back for a recall refresher can be quite beneficial to apply what they learned.

At the end of your dog’s training, you can expect to see:

• New breakthroughs in new environments.
• The ability to learn quickly through the help of a professional.
• Positive response to consistent training.

Dog training camp is designed to complete improved behavioral shaping and teach verbal commands. At the end of their session, your dog should be able to successfully respond to cues like “sit,” “drop,” and “leave it.” Additionally, as they progress through their training program, dogs are introduced to distractions and are still trained to obey commands with disruptions present. Lastly, pet owners can expect tips to maintain what their dog has learned. Often, this training stage consists of exercises done at home or in a revision class.

No matter whether your dog needs private training or does well in a group environment, choosing to take your dog to a training camp means that it will be in the hands of an extensively trained instructor. For example, many instructors at Greenlin are AKC CGC certified, and all hold canine first aid and CPR certifications. These are just some of the requirements that our staff must meet, with additional extensive hours of training before meeting any dogs.

What Is a Private Dog Training Camp?

When dog training camps are taught in private, no other dogs are present during training sessions. Private dog training camps allow trainers to intensively work one-on-one with your dog, giving them the additional attention they need to learn new commands and skills successfully. The lack of others running around significantly increases the chance that your pet will pay better attention to their instructor.

In many cases, dogs will learn better from a private environment since they do not have to wait their turn or get confused by one of their campmates. Private camps also give more intense training that may not be possible in a group setting.

These classes tend to be at a higher price point than group classes, but they provide the additional attention your dog may need, which is not promised in a group environment. Since more attention is given to your furry best friend, they will be able to pay attention better and absorb the information given to them. 

What Is a Group Dog Training Camp?

Dogs are naturally highly social pack animals. Working in teams often comes naturally to them and can help them cope with separation anxiety, mental stimulation, and more. When working in a group environment, your dog will have the chance to socialize with others.

Group training camps are designed to teach routines and discipline in the presence of other dogs. Owners and pets will both see and learn something new that can be applied at home, especially in environments with plenty of distractions. The goal in a group setting is not just to learn commands but to be able to apply them when the surroundings are loud and undesirable.  

Interestingly, dogs are similar to people in how they learn and absorb information. Dog owners will see different learning abilities and paces in group environments that involve all their canines.

While in a group training camp, the trainer is not the only party your dog will learn from. It has happened many times where another dog is completing a command that your dog will observe and apply to their knowledge, and by the time the trainer asks them to complete a command, they will understand and be able to apply what they have learned from another in the group.

Just like your furry friends, as a dog owner, you will see other pet parents absorb information differently as well. Being present in sessions allows you to learn and apply signals and voice commands that your pet can apply in the facility’s environment. In turn, you may also learn a thing or two from other dog parents. This can be anything from a command style or signal to receive advice on how they overcame a behavioral situation.

Group training classes are known to be the more affordable option. With its affordability, dog owners of many different economic backgrounds have access to training their pets.

What Is a Dog Training Camp?

Dog training camps are sometimes referred to as doggy boot camps. Dogs are taken to a facility for up to 20 days to learn obedience and discipline with kennel-based or classroom-based training. Sometimes, the “boot camp” can even be accomplished at a trainer’s own home!

Often, dogs are given many individual sessions on and off-leash throughout their day, with training sessions intended to build confidence and provide mental stimulation. Sessions are also worked on with their owner present. Those that include their owner are meant to help build the bond between the owner and the dog.

Building a positive and solid bond between a pet and its owner is critical to obedience training. Stating commands, signals, and receiving a positive response are only possible when there is a solid foundation to the relationship between you and your dog.

It is important for dog owners to understand that these training camps are not quick fixes. Dogs are technically in training their entire life[RS1] , and their owners can only see continued discipline when they are consistent with practice, reinforcing what they learned.

Additionally, while a training camp sounds like an ideal solution, it does not always consider that your dog will be in different environments when responding to a command. Pet parents are encouraged to continue training in different environments, as dogs will associate what they learn with where it was learned. In most cases, it takes time and effort to eliminate misbehavior or discipline your dog completely. Training will be a lifelong effort to see obedience in your dog consistently.

Determining the Right Dog Training Camp for Your Furry Best Friend

Deciding which kind of program works best for your dog can be difficult. Fortunately, centers perform evaluations and meet with dog owners initially to ensure they understand the desired outcome of conducting any training.

Before completing any registration, the owner should know what their pets can handle and how they respond to certain triggers. Knowing this will help determine the right training camp for them.

Dog Training Classes

A dog training camp is where you leave your dog at the facility for a few weeks to receive their training, but a training class is much shorter, usually no more than a few hours, and it is done with the pet owner present. This is a great way to introduce your dog to training, especially if they tend to be anxious when placed in new environments. Just like in dog training camps, they can be done in groups or individually.

Trainer Coming to Your Home

Having a trainer come to your home can be helpful when your dog has severe nervousness or does not work well when other dogs are present. These classes are considered private and promote trained behaviors in the environment they will be in the most. Many pet owners benefit from this, as their dog might not be a good fit for a dog park or play well with others but still needs to be housetrained.

Whether on Their Own or with Others, Your Dog Can Benefit from a Training Camp

Placing your dog in a training camp is an excellent solution to promoting obedient behavior no matter your dog’s age or breed. Classes offered in group or individual environments carry unique benefits that are most beneficial to your pet.

Our team at Greenlin Pet Resort provides a free evaluation and a first day of training—on us. You can find more information on our dog training services if you would like to see our approach and the options available at one of our 6 Greenlin Pet Resorts locations in Central Pennsylvania.

If you want to schedule your free dog training session, contact a location near you today to schedule your appointment.