All dogs need some level of obedience training, but that doesn’t mean you need to become the next world champion team. Some owners think they’re dogs are good enough without being trained or don’t want to spend the time and money required to successfully teach basic house manners. But there are many reasons you should take your dog or puppy to an obedience class. Whether it’s a group class at a local pet store that teaches beginning obedience or you want to check out a group that trains for more advanced performance, you’ll certainly benefit from the experience.
#1 – Build Your Bond
One of the most incredible things about training your dog is how much you’ll strengthen your bond. Obedience is fun and exciting for both you and your pooch and learning to work together as a team will bring you closer together. Many owners have found that their dogs are more affectionate once they begin obedience training, even if it’s just a basic sit and down. If you ask dog trainers what they like most about training, they’ll most likely all tell you that the bond you can form with an animal is one of the most rewarding experiences life offers.
Related: Spirit Dog Online Training: Is SpiritDog Really Worth It?
#2 – Meet Like-Minded Owners
Dog owners come from every walk of life and you can meet some very interesting people in the world of dogs. While you’re guaranteed to meet people you don’t like, you might find that some of your best human friends come from dog training groups. Whether you’re looking for help with house manners or want to get your feet wet into AKC obedience, you’re certain to find warm, helpful people who want nothing more than to see you and your pup succeed.
#3 – Be A Good Citizen
Being a good citizen goes for you and your dog. Dogs with no training and obnoxious behaviors are typically despised by everyone that has to deal with them and they look just as poorly upon their owners. Not only do you not want to live with a troublesome pooch, you certainly don’t want to be irresponsible. Taking the time to teach basic obedience will make you and your dog much more enjoyable and you might even find that the neighborhood begins to look forward to meeting you on a walk.
#4 – Spice Up Your Life
Even if your dog has great basic obedience, they do get bored working on the same old thing every day. Even the same ball can get a little less exciting to fetch as time goes on. Jumping into a new group class, especially if you’re choosing one that will teach you and your dog something new, will spice up your lives and make the time you spend together fresh and exciting. You and your dog will look forward to going out and working together on new behaviors, even if you never feel confident enough to show off in the obedience ring. Put simply, you’re just going to have fun!
#5 – Learn New Things
Many owners get stuck thinking they know everything about dogs and training, even if they’ve just finished a puppy class with their very first dog. The fun part about going to different classes and meeting different groups is that you’re going to learn different things. You’ll learn different ways of training and which ways work best for your dog, making your sessions much more productive and enjoyable. Learning new techniques and teaching new behaviors will also build your confidence and make training more enjoyable as a whole. There is never an end to learning when it comes to dog training, so take notes everywhere you go and apply what you discover.
About the Author
Katie is a professional dog trainer located in Southern California, with a background of experience as a veterinary assistant as well. She has trained and competed with multiple breeds in AKC Obedience and Rally, agility, herding, Schutzhund/IPO and conformation. She has been involved in dogs since she was a child and specializes in protection dogs, working dogs and aggression issues. You can visit her website, Katie’s Dog Training, or her blog, Little Sable Dog, to find out more information about her training and accomplishments. When she’s not helping others and writing, she’s out on the field with her Belgian Malinois and Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
Toledo, United States.
