Dog obedience training can range from simply housebreaking your puppy to competing in obedience competitions. Obedience or manners training is one of the best things you can do for your dog or puppy and yourself. Dog obedience training opens communication between you and your dog. An obedient dog will be able to have more
freedom since you can count on his behavior. A dog can begin training at any age – yes, even an old dog can learn new tricks! Puppies as young as 8 weeks can start training in puppy kindergarten classes.
You need to remember that dogs are pack animals. As pack animals, dogs have an ingrained willingness to please their owners and a need to bond with them. Without leadership, dogs assume that they are the alpha animals, and will act accordingly - usually much to our chagrin. Dog obedience training is an easy way to establish the pack order. When your dog obeys a simple request to come, sit or lay down, he or she is showing respect for you, the dog’s leader.
Nearly all behavior problems are usually perfectly normal canine activities that occur at the wrong time, place or are directed at the wrong. Digging, barking and chewing are things that all dogs do naturally. A dog without training does not see a difference between chewing on dog toys and chewing that expensive leather couch. Dog obedience training builds on a dog’s natural instinct and helps shape that instinct to a more desired behavior.
Enrolling in a local dog obedience training class to learn the basics is a great beginning, but it is necessary to practice the obedience sessions at home, as well. Obedience training of your dog requires plenty of patience on your part. Training sessions should be short and repeated a couple times a day. Training sessions should be fun for both the dog and you. Dogs should see training as play with lots of positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement can be by sound (clicker training), by voice and touch reward, or by a food reward. Treat and food training should be kept to a minimum and should be phased out of the training process as soon as possible to avoid creating an unhealthy habit. 
Always enforce the command given and don’t continue to repeat the command once you give it. If the command is not obeyed, go to the dog and show him what response you need while repeating the command. Never hit, kick, slap or spank your dog for inappropriate behavior. Negative punishment always creates more problems in the long run. It can also make existing problems worse. Not only will you have a disobedient dog, but one that is also afraid or becomes aggressive.
The dog obedience training should definitely involve grooming and veterinary care as well as the typical sit, heel, and come commands. It is very helpful during grooming sessions and veterinary exams that your dog is used to having his paws handled for nail clipping, having his ears looked into, and that he calmly handles being handled by different individuals. Exposure to various situations can help build confidence in your dog, and dog obedience training helps your puppy or dog become a socially adjusted, well-balanced, and loving family member.
