Social Group Classes

Locations:

Merlin's Meadow
Tewkesbury

Dog’s Age:

Over 6 months

Duration

1 hour

Support your dog in feeling calmer, safer, and more focused around other dogs and people, always working within what feels manageable for them.

Social Group Classes offer gentle, structured walking sessions for dogs who may bark, lunge, pull, freeze, or become over-excited around other dogs or people. We meet in a secure field and use kind, evidence-based approaches, allowing your dog to learn at a pace that feels safe for them. Your dog’s welfare and your comfort are always our priority.

Who are these classes for?

These classes are especially for dogs who find it difficult to stay calm around other dogs or people.

Your dog might:

Bark, lunge, or pull on the lead
Freeze or try to avoid situations
Become over-excited or unable to focus once triggers appear

If your dog feels worried, frustrated, or overwhelmed, you are not alone. Your dog is not being bad. These classes offer a carefully managed, understanding environment where both you and your dog can learn together in a calm and safe way.

Because this is a members-only service, you first complete an initial clinical behaviour assessment with Canine Kin. This helps us:

Make sure the class is genuinely suitable for your dog
Keep everyone safe and supported
Create an individual plan that respects your dog’s welfare as well as their progress

You can arrive knowing your dog has been thoughtfully matched to this class, and that everyone attending understands what it’s like to support a dog with similar needs.

Why these classes work

Many dogs who react strongly to others can find busy, social situations overwhelming, especially if things move too quickly. This can feel upsetting and stressful for both dogs and their guardians.

Modern behaviour science shows that dogs usually do best when we:

Work at a level they can cope with
Keep them under threshold as much as possible
Pair triggers with positive experiences
Build good associations gradually over time

These classes are designed with those principles in mind. Through structured exposure, desensitisation, counterconditioning, and reward-based training, your dog has repeated opportunities to notice dogs and people at a distance that feels safe for them. Over time, many dogs start to feel less threatened, less over-aroused, and more able to stay connected with you.

You are always supported to move at your dog’s pace. Steady, gentle progress is not only fine but often the most effective way forward.

What happens in class?

Each session is carefully structured so both dogs and people know what to expect. Dogs walk the perimeter of the field with plenty of space between each participant. Rather than encouraging greetings, we focus on helping dogs feel more neutral, relaxed, and able to respond to their guardian in the presence of others.

During the session, you’ll work through simple, guided training exercises using rally signs placed around the field. These:

Give you something clear and purposeful to do with your dog
Help you practise useful skills in a real-world setting
Keep the session predictable and manageable

At the start of each class, we:

Brief handlers before the dogs get out of the car
Explain the walking order and layout
Talk through what to expect and how to support your dog

Throughout the session, you will receive calm, practical guidance to help you work at the right level for your dog. You are welcome to ask questions at any time.

What your dog can learn

With repeated, safe practice, many dogs begin to show:

Less barking, lunging, or pulling
Better focus on their handler around triggers
Quicker recovery after seeing dogs or people
Calmer emotional responses in shared spaces
Increased confidence and predictability on walks

Every dog is unique. Progress is individual and gradual, and that is completely okay.

The goal is not to force sociability or direct greetings. Instead, we focus on helping your dog feel safer, more settled, and more able to cope in situations that currently feel challenging. This can make daily walks feel more manageable and enjoyable for both of you.

Location

Merlin’s Meadow

Group Size

Maximum of 4 dogs.

Attendance

Up to 2 adults (18+) per dog

Eligibility

Members only

Important suitability and safety requirements

To protect the welfare of every dog and person in class, and to make sure the environment stays calm and fair, we ask that:

This service is only available to existing members who have completed an initial clinical assessment.
Dogs reactive to other dogs, people, or both attend only where this is clinically appropriate.
No punitive equipment is used, including shock collars or choke chains.
Dogs attend on two points of attachment, such as a harness and collar.
Dogs wear a muzzle if this has been recommended in their clinical assessment.
Flexi leads are not used.
You bring plenty of small, high-value treats.
Up to two adults attend per dog, and all attendees are 18+

These guidelines help keep everyone safe, reduce stress, and make the experience as positive as possible for both you and your dog.

Benefits of a members-only format

Many reactive and sensitive dogs benefit from more support than a standard training class can provide.

By requiring an initial assessment, we:

Take time to understand your dog’s behaviour, triggers, and risk factors
Make sure the group is appropriate for them
Give you clearer expectations before you arrive

Thoughtfully matched

Carefully managed

Supportive for you and your dog

Your dog’s time in class is connected to their wider clinical behaviour plan, rather than addressing complex issues in isolation. This joined-up approach can feel more reassuring and sustainable for both you and your dog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will dogs be greeting each other?

No. Dogs are not expected to greet or interact directly. The focus is calm, controlled exposure—not social play or forced contact. Many guardians find this a relief.

My dog reacts to people as well as dogs. Can we attend?

Yes, in many cases. As long as your initial clinical assessment suggests that a group class is appropriate, dogs who react to people as well as other dogs are welcome. We always prioritise safety and welfare when making this decision.

Is this suitable if my dog is over-excited rather than fearful?

Yes. Some dogs react because they feel anxious or worried; others become frustrated or over-aroused. Both types of dogs can benefit from learning how to stay calmer, think more clearly, and respond to their handler around triggers.

Why do I need an assessment first?

The assessment allows us to:

Understand your dog’s behaviour and history
Decide whether a group setting will genuinely help them
Create a management and training plan before they join

This step helps you feel more prepared and supported, so you do not have to guess how your dog will cope.

How quickly will I see results?

Behaviour change takes time, especially for dogs who have been worried or over-aroused for a while. Evidence-based behaviour work focuses on gradual, sustainable progress through repeated successful experiences.

Some dogs show changes quickly, while others need more time, depending on their history, triggers, arousal levels, health, and wider behaviour plan. We are here to help you notice the smaller wins along the way, not just the big milestones.

A gentle, professional approach for dogs who need more support

Living with a reactive, worried, or over-excited dog can sometimes feel isolating and exhausting. You are doing your best, and you deserve support too.

If you would like to help your dog feel calmer around other dogs or people in a way that protects welfare and supports lasting progress, Social Group Classes offer a safe, structured next step. You will learn practical skills, receive clear guidance, and spend time with others who understand what you are experiencing.

You are welcome to join us and continue your dog’s behaviour plan in a calm, secure, professionally guided environment where both you and your dog are treated with kindness and respect.

Instructor

Jordan Butler

BSc (Hons) MRes

I have 10 years working with owners and their dogs as well as experience lecturing students at College and University level within the field of Canine Behaviour and Training. I have achieved an Award and Certificate in Education and Training from the City and Guilds. I am not only able to help your dog but more importantly, I understand how we learn and can help you apply what we do to the real world. Learn more about Canine Kin.

Start the Course

£15.00

Date

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