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How's Bentley offers group courses for small groups at various locations throughout the Memphis area. The first session of our basic 5-session group courses are for humans only and last about two
hours. The remaining 4 sessions are for people and their dogs and are one hour each. Current price (Summer/Fall 2006) for the 5-Session group course is $150. People with dogs that are extremely fearful or the least bit aggressive
should select private services.
Summer & Fall group courses now forming at these locations. Please contact How's Bentley for .
Dogs Rule - Day Care and School (http://www.dogsrulememphis.com)
2265 Central Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
Collierville Pet Hospital (http://www.colliervillepet.com)
18 S. Byhalia Rd
Collierville, TN 38017
Group Classes and Excited Dogs
Imagine a group of first-time parents with newly adopted 3 year-old children from another country. The parents have little experience teaching children and really don't know how children learn
and how best to teach them. In
addition, the parents and children speak different languages.
Imagine the parents are interested in teaching their children gymnastics. The parents sign up for a parent-child group class to learn how to teach their children gymnastics. They bring their
children to the first session. Many of
the children have never seen a gymnasium and are very excited. Some of the children are crying, running, playing or quarrelling. In addition to the stress on the parents, think about how
difficult it must be for 3 year-old
children! There are several steps the parents would need to take before they could succeed in this situation.
Now, imagine the same scenario except the children are pups and dogs! Many dogs do relax after the initial few minutes but dogs that are not socialized will be flooded with excitement. People
with limited experience handling very
excited dogs will be stressed and frustrated when their exuberant dogs bark, lunge or pull them across the room throughout the entire class!
Group courses are for educating, teaching and coaching groups of people! Most dog training takes place when the people apply their new knowledge and skills in-between group sessions. If you
believe your dog is friendly and
relatively calm around other people and other dogs, sign up for a group class. If your dog will pull you across the room, lunge at other people and dogs or hide in the corner, sign up for private
services before you enter a group
setting.
Group Classes and Socialization
Some people select group courses in order to socialize their dogs. Unless the group courses include play sessions, socialization is all but absent. The amount of socialization in most group
classes is less than one would get from
taking their dog to a pet supply store on Saturday. If providing your adolescent or adult dog with opportunities to physically interact with strangers and strange dogs is your goal, consider
sending your dog to a dog day care such
as Dogs Rule Memphis where professional dog wranglers supervise the play! Take your very young pup on regular outings to safe places where he or she can meet a variety of people and vaccinated
animals. Veterinary clinics, your
workplace or neighbors' homes, are likely to be safe areas for your young unvaccinated pup. Socialization is extremely important for dogs 12 weeks and younger.
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