Is an Obedience Class Right for Me and My Dog?

I am a big fan of obedience classes and always refer callers to my local not for profit dog trainng club for this. There are, however, some situations where this is not the best resource........

Sometimes a person or family simply wants their dog to behave around the house and doesn't have time for a class. Also, there may be
too many behavior problems or the kind of behaviors that might put dogs or people at risk for injury or at the very least make them uncomfortable enough that this isn't the best solution at this moment in time. If your dog's handler is calm and feels safe, then your dog is more likely to be successful in a class situation.

If your dog is very hard to handle or is extremely fearful or shy, if he is showing signs of aggression, it might be better for everyone if he learns a few skills before you venture out to the local obedience class. For puppies, there is usually no reason to avoid a classroom. For adults or adolecents there may be some situations that make a classroom format more challenging and it is be better if you and your dog have some basic skills before entering into a large group of people and dogs, some of whom are just as clueless as your dog. For this state of affairs, I would recomend home training. Learning to communicate with your dog at home will set you both up for success. Often only one session will put you on the road to a more peaceful life with your canine friend. Happy training!

by Mary Kowalczyk