We've all encountered them at some point.  Ill-mannered dogs.  We've even seen their owners yelling at them, tugging at their leashes trying to make them behave.  What is sad is that you can't blame the dog for the owner's irresponsibility. This type of behavior could have been avoided with obedience training.  Obedience trainng is a platform for the dog and the owner to learn how to effectively communicate with one another.

"Can I conduct an obedience training on my own dog?", seems to be the question that arises in your mind. This is a question that has long been debated by the experts. One school of psycho-analysts is of the opinion that it would be better if a professional does the training of your dog. While others feel that the owner can do the best training, if they feel competent. The truth is that a combination of trainer and owner would probably be the most effective.

Find an obedience school in your area.  You will probably be told that they recommend a series of lessons that include both the dog AND the owner.  Sometimes the classes can be arranged where trainer comes to your home.  Some trainers feel that training where the surroundings are familiar is helpful where some prefer their own location.

Here is a list of the things that should be taken into account.

1. Fun
Obedience training does not necessarily mean that strict rules should be imposed. This is because the dog is not aware of the reasons why he should be trained. Therefore, for him to respond to the commands, the training must be done in such a way that the dog sees the activity as something that is fun.

The dog should be praised when he exhibits proper behavior.  Some trainers also recommend treats and some do not.  That should be discussed with your trainer.

2. Consistency
During the course of obedience training, it is very important to have consistency in the training. For example, if a dog was allowed to sit on the rug the other day and when the dog tried to sit on the rug today, he was scolded. Things like this should not be taken for granted. It is extremely important to teach the dog what he should and should not do and stick to it. Confusion will only make the matters worst.

3. Obedience training instructor/trainer
When people choose to enroll their dogs in an obedience class, it is important to analyze the trainer before the owner leaves his dog. The character and personality of the trainer is extremely important. They should be professional enough to know how to handle the dog’s behavior and how to train them properly.  Again, you might want to find a trainer that works with both you AND your dog.

4. Referrals
It is best not to try new and unfamiliar obedience training schools. This could be really risky both for you and for your dog. It would be better if dog owners will ask for some referrals from their veterinarians, dog breeders, or other people who can give their honest opinions.

5. Charges
Not all obedience training schools are created equal. They vary depending on the kind of services they offer. It is best to consider their fees and what services they offer at that rate.  This is one area where you don't want to scrimp so cheapest isn't always the best.  Also, make certain you are dealing with a trainer that will work with both you AND your dog.