Obedience Training for Dogs: Is it Worth It?

After picking up this cute little 1 pound Yorkshire Terrier from the breeder the last thing I thought about was Puppy Kindergarten. I mean after all how could something so cute and small need training that cost money? My mother informed me that she felt I was in for a rude awakening.

Shortly after bringing home my bundle of fur I realized that owning a puppy meant getting up 3 times a night to take her to the bathroom, it meant endless playing and constant attention. Training her on where to go to the bathroom was not exceptionally difficult but training her on how to listen to me was. I would try and discipline however the endless "puppy dog" faces lead to constant giving in and a dog that was quickly becoming spoiled and so independent that I was worried I was losing control!

I enrolled us in Puppy Kindergarten. A price of $150 for a 6 week course. The price tag did not make me happy but I had finally admitted to myself that I did not know as much about dogs as I thought I did.

Some of the valuable lessons we learned in Puppy Kindergarten included leash walking, recall, socializing with other dogs, and generally getting your puppy to understand that you are the boss. For me this was important primarily for my dogs safety.

The class really is more about training the owner of the dog than the dog itself something that I had a hard time admitting I needed. Not long after we "graduated" from Puppy Kindergarten I was going outside and my dog went running out (without a leash, without me!). I panicked at first but then relaxed and remembered something the teacher told me. If you chase her she will run because she thinks you are playing a game. I remained as calm as possible and practiced the recall lessons which worked. My dog only went into the front yard and to my surprise was waiting for me. She had no interest in being without me and I attribute both her attitude and mine to the lessons we both learned in Puppy Kindergarten.

Now my dog is fantastic on a leash, great with other dogs, listens to what I say and is overall a wonderful, fun-loving pet. I do think that without our (my) training in Puppy Kindergarten our relationship would be one of her running amok and me trying to keep up with her. Instead it is a fulfilling relationship full of love and mutual respect.