You think you know all there is to know about training dogs, right? Maybe you had dogs growing up. Maybe you figure if you’ve raised three kids, you can definitely train a dog. Maybe you just think that it can’t be that hard to get an animal to sit when you tell it to. Maybe you’re right. Here are some things to think about before you make that call.

1. Obedience class will help socialize your dog.
   If you were thinking that training your dog to sit can’t be that hard, you’re onto something: it really isn’t that hard. Even if your dog is an exceptionally slow learner, the internet and dog training books can help you figure out the best way to train your dog. However, your dog will never become socialized if it’s just you and your dog (literally) sitting at home every day. Obedience classes are a socially acceptable way to get your dogs socialized to other people and dogs. What is socialization? Socialization is the process by which your dog learns to be around people and other dogs. Think about it: if your baby had never, ever seen other humans besides your immediate family, wouldn’t your baby be afraid of other people? At the very least, wouldn’t it make childcare a nightmare? Obedience classes often stress the importance of meeting other dogs (and the correct way to meet other dogs). The controlled environment is a safe and structured way of socializing, especially compared to taking your new puppy up to strange dogs in the park.
2. Obedience classes will show you different ways to train your dog.
   Treats, clickers, hand signals, and other forms of motivation and training will all be presented to you in hopes of finding the best training method for your dog. Just like people, no two dogs are alike. Think of people: each student has a different learning style, right? Just like how a person may be a visual learner or a hands on learner, a dog can be food-motivated, play-motivated, praise-motivated, etc.