Dog Obedience Training

Dogs with obedience training generally make better pets than those without any training at all. Obedience training is a general term that covers many areas ranging from socialization and basic commands all the way to the ability to discriminate and select items by scent to facilitate a dog's working ability.

  1. Basic Obedience Training

    • Most pet dogs can get along well with basic obedience training. As long as a dog is socialized so that it is friendly to other dogs and to people and can sit, lie down, stay for a short time and respond to its name, then it is considered to be a pleasant dog to be around. The training received in most kindergarten puppy classes and acknowledged by the American Kennel Club's S.T.A.R. Puppy program is reflective of this level of training.

    Advanced Obedience Training

    • Pets with more advanced obedience training can usually walk quietly through crowds, walk on a loose leash for extended periods, will permit other people to groom and to handle them for examinations and can stay out of sight of their owners with a stranger without whining. The American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program is reflective of this kind of training.

    Benefits of Obedience Training

    • Dogs that have gone through obedience training are better pets. According to the National Council on Pet Population Study &Policy (NCPPSP), dogs that are fearful or have behavioral problems are among those most frequently given up to shelters. One study run by the NCPPSP found that "behavioral problems were the most common reasons dogs were given up" when all behavioral issues were grouped together. However, dogs that received even basic obedience training were at much lower risk for relinquishment.

    Obedience Training for Competition

    • Some people enjoy training their dogs to participate in competitions that require advanced obedience skills. Some of the behaviors that are included in such competitions include heeling on and off a leash, returning to the owner with an object in its mouth or over a jump or standing in place for an examination. It can take many years of training and team-building to earn the title of "Obedience Trial Champion."

    Getting Started in Obedience Training

    • Many pet superstores offer basic obedience training classes. In addition, obedience training clubs and local trainers may offer such classes. A veterinarian or local animal shelter might be able to provide information about places to get started in obedience training.