Dog Obedience Training Guide

Whether you’ve got a brand new puppy or an older dog that’s exhibiting behavioral problems, dog obedience training can be an effective way to promote better behavior. Training your dog at a young age can help cultivate positive behavior at an older age, plus it can provide a foundation that allows you to teach your dog more advanced tricks if that’s something you’re interested in.

As effective as dog obedience training can be, it’s not easy training a dog. In fact, you can end up doing more harm than good if you don’t know how to train a dog properly. Because of this, it’s important to talk to a professional and do your research before you start training. You might even consider taking your dog to a professional trainer who has years of experience.

The bottom line is, obedience training can be great if you consult a vet or trainer and know what you’re getting into. If you’re considering dog obedience training and want to learn more, read on.

• What Is Dog Obedience Training?
• How Do You Obedience Train Your Dog?
• Dog Obedience Training Tips
• Canine Obedience Training: Frequently Asked Questions
• Final Notes

What Is Dog Obedience Training?

Dog obedience training is a basic type of training for dogs that teaches them how to behave better and obey commands. This training isn’t just an important part of improving dog behavior, it’s also the start of teaching your dog advanced tricks. Because of this, many dog owners choose to put their dog through obedience training as a puppy.¹

Obedience training offers several benefits for dog owners. When your dog is well-trained, you don’t have to worry about them behaving badly around other dogs, humans, or other pets. Obedience training can also help reduce separation anxiety in dogs, plus it teaches your dog how to listen to your commands. If you want a well-behaved dog that you can confidently take anywhere, obedience training may be the right solution for you.

How Do You Obedience Train Your Dog?

During obedience training, you (or a trainer) will teach your dog basic commands and behaviors. If you’re not sure whether you should train your dog by yourself or hire a trainer, here’s a quick breakdown of both options.

Do It Yourself

Your first option is to train your dog at home by yourself. This can be a good route if you can’t afford a professional trainer or if you don’t have the time for regular training sessions. Training your dog yourself is also beneficial because it can help build a bond between you and your dog, and your dog may actually be more comfortable training with you.

Of course, there are some downsides to doing your own dog obedience training. Training a dog is time-consuming, so it’s not the best option if you’re busy. It can also be very difficult to train a dog, especially with certain breeds.

Hire A Trainer

You might also consider hiring a trainer for your dog. Hiring a trainer is helpful because trainers are more likely to have experience working with a variety of breeds, and they have the expertise to help you address specific issues your dog may be having.

While trainers are great for some people, hiring a professional dog trainer can be very expensive. It’s also important to keep in mind that you have to follow through with the training techniques they teach you, so a trainer isn’t a one-and-done solution. Plus, some people prefer training on their own for the bonding experience.

Keep in mind that there are different options when it comes to professional training, including group training and boarding classes. These may be better options than private lessons for some dog owners.

Dog Obedience Training Tips

If you want to get the most out of dog obedience training and get your dog to behave, here are some tips you should keep in mind.

1. Talk To Your Vet

Before you start dog obedience training, talk to your vet about your dog, what you want out of training, and any recommendations they may have. Your vet may even be able to recommend a trainer in your area or resources you can use to train your dog at home. The more you know before you start training, the better.

2. Do Your Research On Trainers

The first decision you need to make is whether you’re hiring a trainer or training your dog yourself, and that’s not a decision to take lightly. If you’re hiring a trainer, take some time to research trainers in your area and find a qualified professional. Look at reviews and ask your vet if they know a good dog trainer in the area.

3. Invest In Safe & Effective Equipment

If you want to train your dog, you need to have the right equipment. Start with a lightweight but sturdy leash, a simple, flat collar, and any other training aids you may want to use. Popular options include treats and clickers.

4. Practice Positive Reinforcement

Punishing your dog isn’t a good way to teach them, so focus on reinforcing and rewarding positive behaviors instead. Give your dog a treat and praise them when they do well, but don’t yell at them or punish them when they’re not doing something right.

5. Keep It Consistent

Dogs need consistency in training, so try to keep the training process the same every time. Being consistent teaches your dog that listening to your commands and obeying them are behaviors that come with praise and rewards.

Canine Obedience Training: Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions about obedience training? Below, we’ve answered some frequently asked questions to help you learn more.

What age should a dog start obedience training?

It’s best to start obedience training early on, so you should try to start dog obedience training at about 7-8 weeks. That being said, you can still train your dog at an older age. The earlier you get your dog started with good habits, the more those habits will stick as they get older.²

What is the average cost of obedience training for dogs?

The average cost of obedience training for dogs is about $30-50 an hour, but keep in mind that this varies quite a bit depending on the location, trainer, and dog. Trainers in certain cities may be more expensive than other cities, and you’re always going to pay more for a trainer who has a proven track record or works with high-profile clients. Breeds that are more difficult to train may also cost more.

What is the correct way to obedience train a dog?

Proper dog obedience training means teaching a dog basic commands and behavioral skills with consistent positive reinforcement and safe training techniques. You shouldn’t punish your dog during training, and you should be careful to choose training aids that are safe and effective.

Is it too late to train my dog?

While it’s best to train dogs when they’re still puppies, you can still train an adult dog. In fact, you should train your adult dog if they’re having behavioral problems. A good trainer can help you teach your dog basic behavioral skills and commands even if they’re older. Talk to a trainer to learn more about training your dog at a later age.

Final Notes

Dog obedience training is a great way to teach your dog basic commands and improve behavior, especially if you start training at 7-8 weeks. That being said, you can still train your dog if they’re older. Whether you hire a trainer or train your dog yourself, it’s important to do your research and take it seriously.

Whether you want to train your dog to stop barking or teach your dog commands, a good trainer can help. With Dutch, finding a vet who can teach you about training your dog has never been easier. Dutch connects you with veterinarians in your area who can help you take better care of your dog.