Pencils, Notebooks, Erasers—Leashes? It’s Back-to-Dog-Obedience School!

It’s that time of year again. Lunches packed, pencils sharpened and kids decked out for the first day of school. Fall is also the perfect time for Fido to head to Dog Obedience School.

Hang on, take a deep breath. Dog obedience school is not as scary as it sounds. Teaching Fido to sit, stay, and fetch can actually be a lot of fun for you—and for him. Here’s everything you need to know to pick the right program for both of you, and get results you can show off in the dog park.

Pick the Perfect Program

Choosing an obedience program depends on the type of dog you have, your lifestyle, and—most importantly—the relationship you have with Fido. In order to make positive changes in dog behavior, both of you have to be comfortable with the training program.

There are multiple options for dog obedience schools and training styles. Many pet owners choose a basic 8-week training program where you learn alongside other dogs and owners. But group training is not for every dog. Is Fido a social dog or prone to aggressive behavior? Remember that you can always start with one-on-one sessions and work to integrate with a group.

Next, consider your schedule. Consistency is key in dog obedience training, so find a class schedule that compliments your own. Make sure you set aside the time for each training session, because if it becomes too burdensome to attend, you may be tempted to skip sessions, and that’s not good for you or Fido.

Find Fido a Great Partner

Who in your family is the best choice to be the obedience trainer? Eventually, you will want to get the whole family involved—but one person needs to take the "lead" in the training. Who spends the most time with the dog? Who has the most time to devote to training? Who does the dog favor, or perhaps, mind better? Remember that the person who has the most fun with the dog may not necessarily be the right choice.

It’s Never too Late to Start

Yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks. In fact, it’s never too late to teach your long-term pal new behaviors. Dogs can learn obedience training at any age. That said, puppy training earns a very unique focus in the realm of obedience schools. Enrolling you and puppy in dog obedience training is a good way to start out on the right paw in your dog/owner relationship. It gives you the opportunity to set some very important boundaries before it’s too late.

Stick with It

As you begin your dog obedience training, remember: patience is a virtue. There will be times when you and Fido just won’t agree on what is in the best interest of your relationship. This is especially true if your dog has developed some bad habits like barking, growling, chewing, house accidents, jumping, and so on. Be prepared for the learning curve and remember to relax and have fun in the process. Obedience training is a wonderful opportunity for you and Fido to deepen your bond even further.

Graduation and Beyond

Even after the fall leaves have come and gone, obedience training will serve you well. Congratulations, and welcome to your future as a happy dog owner with an equally-happy dog. Now, the two of you can spend countless hours showing off your new sit, stay, and heel routine. And don’t forget to include the rest of the family in on the fun. After Fido has grown used to your commands, it’s time to teach everyone the appropriate boundaries and behavior commands to fully integrate the entire family.

Prepare for some setbacks, and don’t get too upset when they happen, but ultimately the sky’s the limit with dog training. If it’s something that you and Fido take to naturally, expand your repertoire and learn some other fun tricks for you and him. You just may surprise yourself with what the two of you can accomplish.