Obedience training is not just for your dog. It is mostly for you. It teaches you how to communicate with your dog in a manner that he understands. Through this, he will be more attentive and behave. From the basics of walking on a leash to coming when called off leash, every behavior has a purpose.

Let's examine just a few uses of basic obedience training. First of all, dogs need to be able to listen on a leash because it is no fun to walk a dog that is pulling you along. Secondly, when you are allowing your dog to pull you along, you are inadvertently causing him physical harm. Ever hear a dog gagging while he pulls? This is because he is receiving tracheal and laryngeal damage. His air is being cut off. He does not know how to stop this from occurring. All he knows is that he wants to say hello to the little girl down the block. It is up to you to teach him to watch you instead of his goal and to reach his goal in an orderly manner without hurting either of you. The Heel exercise will enable you to reach this objective.

Now, when you reach that little girl down the block, what will happen? Well, an untrained dog will jump up to say hello. The little girl's "muzzle" is higher than the dog's muzzle and for your dog to make a proper introduction he must touch her nose. It can be even more enticing if the little girl is smaller than the dog. Then it's just a matter of bowling her over with affection. What if the little girl becomes frightened? It sets all of you up for a bad experience.

It would be far easier for you and your dog to do a sit or down stay while saying hello to other people and dogs, especially to small children. Once again, simple obedience training helps with everyday conditions.

An extreme example of canine misbehavior is separation anxiety. Many dogs, especially those that are very insecure, will be destructive when their people leave. This behavior can be dangerous, not only to the dog, but also to the entire relationship. A dog that receives obedience training will have a better understanding of his environment, and be less likely to become upset when his people leave home. He is more secure, content and has something to do during the day. Granted, there are many other things that should be done for this syndrome, but obedience training is the best place to begin.

Should your dog have any behavioral problem, the best place to begin solving it is through basic obedience training. Spend the time, make the effort and form a relationship for life.