As a dog owner, we want to ensure that we are giving them everything they could possibly need. We provide them with a warm place to live, good food to eat and lots of love and scratches behind the ears. In return, they provide us with a degree of love that we may not ever experience in our life. It is a give-and-take relationship but sometimes, we may question whether we need to take things to a different level.
One of the considerations that many people think about when they own a dog is whether or not to take him to obedience school. There is no doubt about the fact that having an obedient dog makes them a welcome part of the household but is it really necessary to go out of our way and take some type of professional obedience class? The answer to this question may differ, depending upon a number of factors.
First of all, the benefits of taking your dog to a professional for obedience training is not always going to be obvious when you have a dog that is not necessarily riddled with behavioral problems. Sometimes, you may be able to train them at home and see similar if not better results. That being said, there is something about the group environment that is enjoyable for our dog and for us as well. Many people that take their dogs to obedience classes find that they are enjoying the time they are spending with their dog and it helps to keep them on track for consistency as well.
Another thing to consider is the age of the dog. Many people will wait until the dog is at least six months old before they even consider any type of obedience training. In reality, your dog may have already learned some bad habits by that point and it could take some time to undo those bad habits. Very young puppies, perhaps even as young as eight weeks old, are going to be excellent students when you take them to obedience training. It gives them a start in life with something that will follow them and you as you grow in your relationship.
If you do decide to take your dog through some type of professional obedience training, you can expect them to learn some of the basic commands. This would include commands such as sit, down and stay. They might also learn some manners, such as not pulling at the end of the lead when walking, not chewing on furniture or perhaps not jumping up on people when they come in the door. Your dog will also learn to come to you when they are called.
In the end, the decision as to whether you are going to take your dog to a professional obedience training class or not is up to you. There certainly are times when the socialization and professional assistance are going to be beneficial. It may just be worth your while to do so, even if your dog listens to you already.
