Group Training
Learn alongside other Journey Dog Training Alumni through guided group training sessions.
Learn together, in the real world.
Group training is a great way to build your dog's skills, confidence and social experience in a supportive environment, while giving you the opportunity to practise alongside other Journey Dog Training Alumni working towards their own goals.
Whether you're looking to reinforce your training in everyday environments or give your puppy the opportunity to learn how to play and interact with other dogs, our small group sessions are designed to make learning practical, positive and fun.
Choose from Owner Coaching for structured, real-world training on the move, or Play Learning Sessions for guided social play in a safe, secure environment.
Group Training Options
Owner Coaching
$50/dog
On-lead group sessions build on your knowledge around other JDT alumni in outdoor public settings.
Benefits:
✓ Small training groups
✓ Structured training walks
✓ Varied public locations
NEW!
Play Learning
$40/dog
Guided group play focussed on learning positive socialisation skills amongst well-matched JDT alumni.
Benefits:
✓ Secure outdoor environment
✓ Safe, off-lead experiences
✓ Supervised, casual environment
Please read our Booking Terms & Conditions before registering. Payment must be made within 24 hours of your registration. 48 hours notice of cancellation must be given, credit can be applied at the trainer’s discretion.
Small Groups, with Big Benefits!
Learning alongside other dogs and their humans provides valuable opportunities to practise skills, build confidence and experience real-life situations in a supportive environment.
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Take your training beyond the classroom and practise skills around the kinds of distractions, environments and situations you encounter in everyday life.
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Being around other dogs in a controlled and supportive environment helps your dog develop confidence and learn appropriate social skills at their own pace.
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Group environments provide plenty of opportunities to practise focus, engagement and calm behaviours while your dog learns to work around distractions.
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You're not the only one working on your dog's training! Group sessions provide a supportive community of other dog owners who are learning, practising and progressing alongside you.
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Groups are kept small so your trainer can provide individual guidance, while dogs are thoughtfully matched to create a safe and positive experience for everyone.
Choose your Training Style
Whether you're looking to practise skills on the move or give your dog an opportunity for guided social play, there's a group session to suit.
PUBLIC GROUP TRAINING
Owner Coaching
$50/dog
Take your training out into the real world!
Owner Coaching sessions are structured group training walks designed to help you and your dog practise the skills you've already learned in class or private training.
Rather than staying in one formal training environment, we'll work on the move in varied public outdoor locations, helping you build your confidence and your dog's ability to listen, focus and behave appropriately around real-life distractions.
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Practising existing training skills around real-world distractions
Building focus and calmness while out and about
Loose-lead walking and appropriate public manners
Understanding and responding to your dog's behaviour
Building confidence in different environments
Learning alongside a supportive group of other dog owners
Flexible Training that Fits your Life
Owner Coaching sessions are offered on varied dates and at different locations, giving you more flexibility to find sessions that work around your schedule.
Sessions take place in public Tauranga-area parks, reserves, walking trails and open spaces.
SECURE SOCIALISATION
Play Learning Sessions
$40/dog
Learn how to play well together.
Play is an important part of a dog's development — but not every dog plays in the same way.
Play Learning Sessions provide a safe, secure and supervised environment where your dog can interact with carefully matched playmates, with a trainer present to guide the experience.
We'll consider each dog's age, size, energy levels, confidence and play style to help create positive interactions and give dogs the opportunity to learn what good play looks like.
Where appropriate, dogs can enjoy off-lead play, with plenty of opportunities to take a break, rest and reset.
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Positive socialisation with other dogs
Understanding appropriate play behaviours
Building confidence around other dogs
Learning which play styles and personalities suit your dog
Practising appropriate interactions in a safe environment
Having fun while learning how to play well!
Safe, Social & Supervised
Play sessions are kept small and carefully managed, with a trainer present throughout. Dogs aren't simply thrown together to "sort it out", interactions are observed and guided to help ensure everyone has a positive experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Your dog doesn't need to be perfect around other dogs — that's part of what learning is about! However, Group Training is designed for dogs who are able to participate safely in a group environment.
If your dog experiences significant fear, anxiety or reactivity around other dogs, our Big Feelings Club may be a more appropriate option.
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Owner Coaching is about practising training skills around real-world distractions. You'll remain on lead and work alongside your dog as you walk, train and navigate different public environments.
Play Learning is focused on social interaction. Dogs may have opportunities for supervised off-lead play with carefully matched playmates, where appropriate.
Both are trainer-led small group sessions, but the focus is different: Owner Coaching is about training together; Play Learning is about learning through play.
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Owner Coaching sessions are conducted on lead.
Play Learning sessions may include supervised off-lead play where appropriate. This will depend on the individual dogs attending and the trainer's assessment of the group.
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That's completely okay! Not every dog wants to play with every other dog, and learning to feel comfortable around other dogs without necessarily interacting with them is valuable too.
Our trainer will monitor interactions and provide opportunities for dogs to take breaks, observe and reset when needed.
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Absolutely! Group Training is about building skills for the whole dog-human team, so family members are welcome to attend where appropriate. Children should remain under adult supervision and can be involved in the training when guided by the trainer.
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Sessions will generally go ahead in most weather conditions, unless conditions are considered unsafe or extreme. You'll be notified in advance if a session needs to be postponed.
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Owner Coaching is designed with flexibility in mind, with sessions offered on varied dates and at different locations.
If a session is fully booked, a waitlist may be available, or you can check back when new dates are released.
Ready to keep learning together?
Whether you're looking to build better manners out and about or help your dog develop positive social experiences, group training gives you the opportunity to keep practising, learning and having fun together.