Practically every dog and owner team can benefit from taking a few obedience classes together. They allow you to work your dog under distraction, and some schools offer a variety of activities that can help you keep your dog's energy and intelligence directed in a positive way — and you get to socialize with other people who love dogs, too.

What Classes to Take

Depending on your dog's skill level and the school's policies, you might want to start with the school's basic class. Be honest about your dog's level of training if the instructor asks so she can help you get into the right class. Plus, it never hurts to reinforce the basics in a new environment. If your dog's skill level is obviously already beyond the basics, most instructors will be happy to move you into a more advanced class.

Depending on your interests and the school's offerings, you might take advanced classes, therapy-dog classes, agility (competition style or just for fun), rally, or competitive obedience classes. Some schools even offer field trips for a real-world training experience. You may have a choice of private lessons, group classes offered from independent dog trainers with their own schools, community-education classes, and offerings by local kennel clubs, so you may need to do a bit of research to find which offers the best match for your goals and learning style.

Choosing a Training Center

There are several ways to find a trainer or school. Of course, you can always start with an Internet or Yellow Pages search, but don't stop there. Ask friends, neighbors, vets, groomers, dog walkers, and even the local shelter whom they recommend. Once you have a few names, make some calls. Is the trainer respectful of you, or dismissive? Do they seem to care about you and your dog, or do they just want to give you a sales pitch?

One of the best ways to make your final decision is to ask if you can observe a training session or class. If the trainer won't discuss their methods and doesn't want you to see how they train, keep looking. When you do watch a class, are you comfortable with the student/ teacher ratio? Does the trainer seem to be in control of the class? Does she seem to like dogs and their owners? Are her explanations of exercises understandable? Do the people and dogs seem to be getting the individual help they need? The dogs may not be well behaved (that's why they're there), but does the instructor handle them well? Most importantly, are you comfortable with the methods used? When you find a place you like, sign up and enjoy the quality time with your dog.